Below is a copy of the email I got from Optima regarding a battery purchased from Amazon.
So be aware the the money you are thinking you are saving maybe costing you big time. You should also know that for marine batteries Otima is strongly reccomending the use of there $200 charger to keep them charged properly.
Hello John,
Amazon.com is not an authorize online OPTIMA retailer, We do not know where they acquire the OPTIMA batteries nor does Amazon.com honor the OPTIMA warranty.
I've owned 80-100 yellow tops, I put them in everything I own. They used to be good when they were made in Colorado, when they switched manufacturing to Johnson Controls in Mexico they changed the construction and they keep cracking. I've had a dozen crack a cylinder. These are complete crap now.
Buy Optima 8014-045-FFP YellowTop Group 34/78 Deep Cycle Battery Now
Some background: I'm a mechanical engineer and I've built and worked on at least half a dozen powerchairs used for a competitive indoor sport, power soccer. I've used a data logger to look at battery voltage under load, and I've compared MK gel batteries, Optima Yellowtops (from a local distributor), and Odyssey PC1500s. I have also seen other people using Interstate AGMs, and other "deep cycle" batteries for the same application, and have seen the trouble they've had with them.
Compared to gel batteries, the Yellowtops provide a lot of power, and feel more "peppy" regardless of if they're full or nearly empty. This is a big "pro" for people who need their chairs to perform at their full potential, but potentially a "con" if you don't pay attention to how discharged the batteries are, since they hold up well enough that you can run them down to a really deep discharge and prematurely shorten their life. I found that if you're not careful, don't take any precautions to keep them fully charged, and use them hard, you can kill them in six months.
These batteries can easily charge at 20 amps and higher, similar to the Odysseys, and better than any gels. If you keep them topped up and charge them above 28.8 volts (14.4 each, two in series) whenever you use them, and don't run them down till the chair slows down, you can get well over a year of power soccer use out of them.
They are a little smaller than other batteries, both mechanically and in terms of stored energy. They rattle around inside a Group 24 battery box, which can be a little disturbing, and they don't last as long on a charge as a set of Odyssey PC1500. They also don't hold up for as many cycles under the same use as the PC1500 because you're using a larger portion of their capacity, and lead batteries don't hold up well under that treatment.
In summary: If you're on a tight budget but want something better than gels, if these are on sale then the Yellowtops are what you want. If you really need the best, step up to the Odyssey PC1500. Also, don't forget to use a proper three stage charger that terminates the CV portion above 14.4 volts and below 14.8 volts.
Sales people will tell you "Yellowtops aren't for wheelchairs" or "Odyssey batteries aren't for wheelchairs", but that's BS. Pay attention to charging, don't trust the joystick lights, and these things are fabulous for high performance chairs.
Read Best Reviews of Optima 8014-045-FFP YellowTop Group 34/78 Deep Cycle Battery Here
I bought this battery through Autozone (that way I wouldn't have to worry about any type of weird warranty exchange through amazon). Eventhough i love amazon, i HIGHLY encourage buying this battery through an approved seller, that way, if your battery needs warranty exchange, you can just drop off and replace easy.
You can get this battery IF:
-You're going to use this on a vehicle which requires power to start (any auto)
-You may have sources of accessory power that have potential to drain the battery (light use power inverter)
You SHOULD get this battery IF:
-You HAVE sources that can draw lots of accessory power:
--Subwoofer/amp
--Ambient lighting
--Added lighting
--high use power inverter
--Lots of off-roading (vibration is VERY bad for an acid battery)
Conditions that required myself to buy this battery:
-HID lighing
-Complete interior with LED lighting
-Added ambient lighting
-Added door lighting (2005 Ford F150)
-1000W Amp/Sub
First thoughts:
After install, the first start takes a few seconds longer than any start I've had with preceding batteries. Of course, I had a lower CWA than the previous batteries, so that was probably it. After the first start and all the parts had power again, every start was clean, perfect and, dare I say, better than previous batteries.
The drain on my battery from peripherals (with the vehicle not on) is CONSIDERABLY less than previous batteries. I have no tested, nor want to test a heavy drain on the battery, but, since this battery can actually handle the drain without damage.
So far the battery is superb, and offers a lot of power to my accessories. Previously, when the sub hit hard (I have no capacitor, too lazy) the lighting would slightly dim. NO MORE! Very excited.
I'll keep this review updated periodically with any news on the performance of this battery!
Want Optima 8014-045-FFP YellowTop Group 34/78 Deep Cycle Battery Discount?
Optima were an excellent battery in the 1990's and early 2000's. The batteries they built and sold in that era would easily last ten years. But in the last eight or nine years, they have lowered the quality level in their batteries to the point that they barely make it past the warranty period. I am now stuck with two gel-cel boat anchors, which died six weeks after the warranty period. That is almost $400. Both were lightly used in race cars that saw the track 12 times per year. That is 36 Sundays of use for each battery. And to top it all off, I now must pay hazardous recycling fees to get rid of these boat anchors. I will not be buying Optima brand products again.
