Thread: Optima yellow top as starter battery??

I don't know about Discoverys, but I think this Varta (or the size below, from memory) is recommended starting battery for a Defender. How does your Optima compare?
http://battery-power.com.au/product/l1/

I run two Yellow tops in my Td5 D2 and have done for 3 years now .
Never a problem , Before the D2 i did the same in my Tdi D1
This is the D2

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I don't know about Discoverys, but I think this Varta (or the size below, from memory) is recommended starting battery for a Defender. How does your Optima compare?
http://battery-power.com.au/product/l1/

Fair enough, Mick, but the OP asked "Has anyone used 1 of these as a starter battery ?" He didn't ask for the perfect battery. Well, the answer to his question is 'yes'. I'm well aware the Yellow Top is not the perfect battery. However, 750 CCA is quite adequate for starting a TDV6.

The car involved is a D3. Would that Varta fit in a D3?

Originally Posted by rangieman

I run two Yellow tops in my Td5 D2 and have done for 3 years now .
Never a problem , Before the D2 i did the same in my Tdi D1
This is the D2

Looks like one of Carl's battery boxes? That's what mine has, although the original plan was to have one Yellow, one Red.

Originally Posted by johntins

Looks like one of Carl's battery boxes? That's what mine has, although the original plan was to have one Yellow, one Red.

Not saying Mine is made from stainless which is so much better

I use the yellow tops for the D1 Tdi300, the 4bd1, and tractor.

Originally Posted by rangieman

Not saying Mine is made from stainless which is so much better

Hmm....

Originally Posted by johntins

Fair enough, Mick, but the OP asked "Has anyone used 1 of these as a starter battery ?" He didn't ask for the perfect battery. Well, the answer to his question is 'yes'. I'm well aware the Yellow Top is not the perfect battery. However, 750 CCA is quite adequate for starting a TDV6.

The car involved is a D3. Would that Varta fit in a D3?

Not sure. They come various sizes, as do Yellowtops.
My guess is a Yellowtop could be used for both starting and as a second battery, but the needs are different and 750 CC is a lot less than 850 or 920, so as a compromise it might be less effective and more expensive than having a dedicated starting battery and a specialised deep cycle AGM as a second battery. Anyway, give it a go, I say.