Optima D34 dead after 2.5 years

**djhampson** · 29th January 2012, 08:46 PM

My fridge died at Luveka within 5 hours of arriving so I spent some time today testing out the 2nd battery.

The Traxide kit is working fine, 14.4v is delivered to the battery a few seconds after the engine starts. I've also confirmed that there isn't anything putting a load on the battery while the car is off.

So finally I disconnected the battery from the car and stuck it on the battery charger for a few hours.

After a few hours the voltage was sitting at 14.2v with the charger on but as soon as the charger was removed the voltage dropped to 11.9v and within 2 mins was sitting at 10.4v.

So I think my 2.5 year old Optima D34 battery is dead. Bit disappointing for something that cost $350!

I'm contacting Optima tomorrow to see if its still under warranty.

Anyone else had problems with Optima batteries?

**Presto** · 29th January 2012, 09:27 PM

Hmmm, good timing!
I'm just about to purchase another D34 for the D1 (current random 2nd battery also died at Levuka, but has been dying for some time). I have a D34 in the D3 and it has been good so far but only 6 months old!

Also eager to hear other comments and reaction from Optima - don't batteries usually have a 3 year warranty? (fingers crossed for you)

**djhampson** · 29th January 2012, 09:28 PM

Presto - I've also posted this in the GC area - so far 2 positive responses 1.5 negatives.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php?p=1617607

**Presto** · 29th January 2012, 09:34 PM

Dave, if you're struggling for fridge power, don't be afraid to ask - could have plugged it into our camper trailer

**brougham** · 29th January 2012, 09:34 PM

I've had a blue top optima for over 10 years now. Been in landcruiser, disco 1, hiace van, boat and now in a Prado. Never missed a beat even when other battery in dual setup in landcruiser cooked due to a faulty regulator the optima kept going perfectly.

**harry** · 29th January 2012, 10:03 PM

i had the club generator with me for just such an occasion, never mind.
if it is of any help

my engel worked better than ever, having fitted a new battery in duggy, and its old one went into the v8.

**djhampson** · 29th January 2012, 10:06 PM

Thankfully the Evakool was already really cold on Friday and it made it stayed cold thru the night. By the time we did all the driving on Saturday it was even colder so it made it to Sunday morning as well.

But trust me I would have asked for some power if I needed it... after all I had beer in there that could have gotten warm! oh yeah and some meat that might have gone off but still warm beer!

**djhampson** · 1st February 2012, 01:23 PM

Ok an update. I returned the battery to Australian Battery Distributors where it was charged and load tested. Which it failed and suggests that a cell has collapsed.

Unfortunately D34s purchased in 2009 came only with a 1 year warranty but after a phone call to Optima they've sorted me out with a replacement at a good price.

Since 2010 (I think) D34s have had a slightly different constructions to the older batteries and now come with a 3 year private warranty.

The guys at Optima were very helpful and seemed to genuinely want to help me out.

**Rat** · 1st February 2012, 08:33 PM

I have had a AGM battery as the dual in my defender for approx 4 or more years. It's been brilliant. I never run it flat though. The best way to increase battery life is to only half discharge them before filling em up again. Mine was under $300. From comet batteries at geebung.

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