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Thread: There Goes My Optima D34 Smugness!

  1. #1
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    There Goes My Optima D34 Smugness!

    Whilst I have been following the threads covering the longevity of the Optima yellow tops that many of us have been fitting with our Traxide systems, I must admit to having had a certain smugness about having no issues with my installation.
    Until, that is, I noticed a slight warping of the top cover when I changed the engine oil the other week. You can see the warping under the sticker. But I had to take the car on a trip, so only managed to get to the retailer today.
    Yes, they'd seen it before and called the supplier who said that it was over two years old and must have been fully discharged a few times. That was it.
    Retailer did a load test and it was about 620CCA as opposed to 750CCA. I didn't take note of the result but it came up as "Good". This is interesting as I conducted a load test only six months ago (when I installed a new Varta main battery) and it came up as 100% (hence my continuing smugness!).
    I do recall a 40L Waeco fridge being left on recently for a day or so by accident, so that may well have flattened the Optima. But the Waeco has a low battery cutout as does the Traxide ABG-25 voltage cut-out module. Surely going flat once couldn't fatally damage the Optima?
    Anyway, I've left the Optima with the retailer so they can fully test it over the next few days. But even if it comes up OK, I'm not sure I want to rely on it in the bush.
    Can anyone advise what the dangers may be in continuing to use the Optima? I often take a third battery in the bush to power camp lights etc. Could I still use the Optima for that? I suspect I may be replacing it with an SSB HVT-50D AGM, particularly if Tim's testing comes up OK.
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  2. #2
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    Stick it in a battery box as a portable then when it does die just whack another AGM in there.
    MY08 TDV6 SE D3- permagrin ooh yeah
    2004 Jayco Freedom tin tent
    1998 Triumph Daytona T595
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  3. #3
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    Bloody batteries.

    I can't answer any of your questions. All I can do is offer up this. I've been stuck at home now for some years. I had a Yellow Top as a house battery before. Car sat and sat, and it went flat. Wouldn't light a test light. Popped it onto a CTEK MX 5.0 charger to regen, and no worries. I wanted it for a start batt at the time, and it did fine. But, it never gets used, and so I find that when I DO need it I have to recharge it. It seems to take this abuse, and has done so for four years. OTOH, I have a much newer Red Top which has died. The amps it pulls from the charger, it's nuts. The battery shop ( Bond in Bayswater ) say they are amazed, the bat gets real hot and it doesn't hold one volt. Supplier isn't interested.

    Based on the YT, I would have sworn by Optima. The design is great, there is no leakage etc. Based on the RT I wouldn't touch them. Now, before people go off about Mexico and such, BOTH mine are Mexican. Optima have been Mexican since 2009. ALL of them.

    I bought Optima because I wanted Carl's dual battery box in my D2, and it was designed for the D34...... X2..... and both seem to have gone.

    I'm working up to going bush again. I don't think the Optimas will be coming with me, sadly. I'm convinced they had the right idea for the time, but what does that mean in the end?
    ​JayTee

    Nullus Anxietus

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    2000 D2 TD5 Auto: Tins
    1994 D1 300TDi Manual: Dave
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    OKApotamus #74
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  4. #4
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    There Goes My Optima D34 Smugness!

    I did a fit up tonight.
    Can confirm that a pair of HVT50s fit the D2 “Carl’s dual battery box”

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tombie View Post
    I did a fit up tonight.
    Can confirm the HVT50 fits the D2 “dual battery box”
    On it's own?? or with two?? You do tend towards the enigmatic, so pardon me asking.
    ​JayTee

    Nullus Anxietus

    ​Getting involved in discussions is the best way to learn.

    2000 D2 TD5 Auto: Tins
    1994 D1 300TDi Manual: Dave
    1980 SIII Petrol Tray: Doris
    OKApotamus #74
    Nanocom, D2 TD5 only.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by johntins View Post
    On it's own?? or with two?? You do tend towards the enigmatic, so pardon me asking.
    Two.. I have one of the prototype Carl’s trays.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tombie View Post
    Two.. I have one of the prototype Carl’s trays.
    As do I. Thanks Mike.
    ​JayTee

    Nullus Anxietus

    ​Getting involved in discussions is the best way to learn.

    2000 D2 TD5 Auto: Tins
    1994 D1 300TDi Manual: Dave
    1980 SIII Petrol Tray: Doris
    OKApotamus #74
    Nanocom, D2 TD5 only.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by DieselLSE View Post
    Whilst I have been following the threads covering the longevity of the Optima yellow tops that many of us have been fitting with our Traxide systems, I must admit to having had a certain smugness about having no issues with my installation.
    Until, that is, I noticed a slight warping of the top cover when I changed the engine oil the other week. You can see the warping under the sticker. But I had to take the car on a trip, so only managed to get to the retailer today.
    Yes, they'd seen it before and called the supplier who said that it was over two years old and must have been fully discharged a few times. That was it.
    Retailer did a load test and it was about 620CCA as opposed to 750CCA. I didn't take note of the result but it came up as "Good". This is interesting as I conducted a load test only six months ago (when I installed a new Varta main battery) and it came up as 100% (hence my continuing smugness!).
    I do recall a 40L Waeco fridge being left on recently for a day or so by accident, so that may well have flattened the Optima. But the Waeco has a low battery cutout as does the Traxide ABG-25 voltage cut-out module. Surely going flat once couldn't fatally damage the Optima?
    Anyway, I've left the Optima with the retailer so they can fully test it over the next few days. But even if it comes up OK, I'm not sure I want to rely on it in the bush.
    Can anyone advise what the dangers may be in continuing to use the Optima? I often take a third battery in the bush to power camp lights etc. Could I still use the Optima for that? I suspect I may be replacing it with an SSB HVT-50D AGM, particularly if Tim's testing comes up OK.
    Hi,

    I've had two in 6 yrs. Not a great run by other accounts. The latest one started leaking from the negative terminal. Maybe it was over tightened by a mechanic. The car has been in workshops a fair bit.

    Anyway, for camping trips I wouldn't trust the old one. I typically buy a new cranking battery every two yrs regardless, and especially before a big trip. I'm overly cautious now doubt, but then I'd prefer that arrangement to needing bush replacement.

  9. #9
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    My camper/house batteries have been swollen since I got it four years ago. While I’ve confirmed they don’t hold the same capacity as new, at over $700 to replace them, I just ignore the bulge and continue using them. I wouldn’t be concerned about the YT bulge, but I get it that you’d hate to be stranded if it give up.
    2010 TDV6 3.0L Discovery 4 HSE
    2007 Audi RS4 (B7)

  10. #10
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    My yellow top has just died in the last week. Wont hold any charge. But its had a decent run as it was in the car when I brought it in mid 2014 and I have no idea how old it was then either
    Shane
    2005 D3 TDV6 loaded to the brim with 4 kids!
    http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/220914-too-many-defender-write-ups-here-time-d3.html

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