Thread: Optima D34 Yellow top or SSB DryCell HVT-50D AGM

Originally Posted by Turtle60

Have been following this thread and noticed these. Lithiumax 700CCA RESTART Lithium Race & Road Car 4WD Boat Battery inc Volt LCD | eBay

They claim an under bonnet starting capable lithium Battery. Three of these can fit in the optima space to give a significant storage upgrade albeit at a hefty cost but a big weight saving. They claim charging from alternator. Just one seems to outdo Optima capacity. The height is 2cm lower than optima as well.

First time I’ve been aware of underbonnet replacement start battery. There are bigger ones to replace your start battery as well.

So what am I missing?

Lol. Funniest.
So EBay man claims 20th generation. Serious. New generation a week?

Claims under bonnet. For how long? For the warranty period? Does the warranty replacement for under bonnet use gain a new warranty period after replacement or retain the existing period?

Crock

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Lol. Funniest.
So EBay man claims 20th generation. Serious. New generation a week?

Claims under bonnet. For how long? For the warranty period? Does the warranty replacement for under bonnet use gain a new warranty period after replacement or retain the existing period?

Crock

Generation in this context is version / model.

Designed in Australia and get excellent reviews.
Unsure how the underbonnet would rate.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Generation in this context is version / model.

Designed in Australia and get excellent reviews.
Unsure how the underbonnet would rate.

Yeah I get it’s their iterations. I work in software to fourth level 1.4.1.14. It’s also serious marketing play.

Let someone else test and report IMO

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

I work in software to fourth level 1.4.1.14.

Ouch, sounds painful!

With those batteries, they probably do a version increment when the RRP changes!

Originally Posted by Turtle60

Have been following this thread and noticed these. Lithiumax 700CCA RESTART Lithium Race & Road Car 4WD Boat Battery inc Volt LCD | eBay

They claim an under bonnet starting capable lithium Battery. Three of these can fit in the optima space to give a significant storage upgrade albeit at a hefty cost but a big weight saving. They claim charging from alternator. Just one seems to outdo Optima capacity. The height is 2cm lower than optima as well.

First time I’ve been aware of underbonnet replacement start battery. There are bigger ones to replace your start battery as well.

So what am I missing?

Good find - great to learn about Australian companies investing in developing new products.

Their primary target seems to be for motor sport but you can see lots of potential beyond this.

I would go the SSB, I currently have 4 of them, but large ones 1000CCA and 130AH each. 2 in the Defender, 1 in the D2 and 1 in the Caravan. For the price best I have used. I have been getting them for around $220 but get a discount. My plan is to put one of these in the D4 as a cranking battery and 2 of the smaller ones with a Traxide triple battery system when funds allow. Would never have an Optima of any sort again.

Tim,
add me but not with your kit. Had an Optima Blue Top, from day one played up and will never ever have an Optima again. Their warranty was a joke. I have been running SSBs HVT-86Ds, now in the Defender for over 3 years, D2 for 2 years and Caravan for over 2 years and they have not missed a beat. I also got these for just over half the price of an Optima blue top with only 60AH. They will be going in the D4 when budget permits with one of your triple systems. D2 is under the bonnet and no issues with heat so far. But hey for around $220 if I get 3 years out of them I will be happy. Optima Blue Top completely failed after 13 months.
Cheers
Craig

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi John, I would have close to 5,000 D3s, D4s and RRSs with my kits in them, worldwide,.


99% of these vehicle have an Optima D34 Yellowtop battery as the auxiliary battery.


While there have been a number of reports regarding failures of the Optima, I have only had about 5 or so customers report any problems with their Optimas.


This is not sufficient evidence to say there is not a problem, I am just not seeing one.


BUT, I am about to buy both a new Optima D34 ( my last one just got sold with my RR ) and an SSB HVT 50D and over the next few months I will test and compare each one in different conditions and will post up what I find.


NOTE these tests will have no bearing on the likely longevity of either battery.

Ok - gotta ask this - SSB (Super Start Batteries) is just a brand name - what is so special about their batteries?