MTFCA Forum

Are the new 6 volt Optimum batteries lasting as long as produced by the previous owners of the company?

I've had good results with an Optima Red Top 6 volt battery and stock generator for the last 2 years, but I don't know how old it is.

Moxie26 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 26, 2023 12:36 pm

Are the new 6 volt Optimum batteries lasting as long as produced by the previous owners of the company?

How "new" are the batteries you're refering to? If they're truly new, then who can say how long they'll last?

So glad you asked that, Jerry

I was afraid that if I'd asked that, my computer wouldn't survive the response

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 26, 2023 3:58 pm

So glad you asked that, Jerry

I was afraid that if I'd asked that, my computer wouldn't survive the response

I was not aware that Optima batteries were now in new ownership. It is disturbing news. I have two red tops, one 7 years old, a second one 6 years. Both were made in Mexico. Both have given excellent service.
Can anyone tell me of anything these days which has improved in quality/reliability/availability since being taken over by new owners. Most of the takeovers are about how much they can take out of a good business, and how they can eliminate competition.

Allan from down under.

I bought a 6V Red Top Optima about four years ago, and there's been no noticeable deterioration in its performance. I was a little hesitant in buying it, given a few comments about them coming from a different manufacturing plant, and not being as good as the originals. However, in all respects it's been far better than any conventional wet lead acid battery I've used. The cranking speed is still as good as when I bought it.

Allen and John, thanks for your response, I did hear that ownership and production site was moved out of the United States maybe 5 to 7 years ago, and I'm glad to hear that you're having good service out of all the years of your use.

I bought an Optima battery in 2011. It lasted until 2022. 11 years. I live in Wisconsin and I never charged the battery over the winter either, so I think I got my moneys worth.

The battery's are made in a new plant in Mexico and headquarters is here in Milwaukee. I am not sure if they are part of Johnson Controls or use to be.

At $240 or more, I am not sure I want another one.

I have 2 Optima batteries, one six volt, and one 12 volt purchased last spring. So far so good.

I wish bought one seven years ago. It would have eliminated several purchases of standard 6 volt battery purchases.

Art Mirtes

Moxie26 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 26, 2023 12:36 pm

Are the new 6 volt Optimum batteries lasting as long as produced by the previous owners of the company?

As far as I can tell Optima Batteries are still made by the same company as before, Clarios LLC. which is a subsidiary of Brookfield Business Partners.
Clarios, formerly Johnson Controls, began in 1885 with the founding of the Johnson Electric Service Company, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In 1978, Johnson Controls acquired Globe Union – a company universally recognized for breakthroughs in battery design – to become the leader in the United States automotive battery production.
In 2019, Johnson Controls sold its Power Solutions division to Brookfield Business Partners, launching Clarios — a new beginning for an already established world leader in advanced energy storage solutions.

Clarios markets several brands of batteries, most AGM. https://www.clarios.com/who-we-are/our-history
Household & Automotive https://varta.com/
Mexico Market https://www.lth.com.mx/
Brazilian Market https://www.heliar.com/
Central/South America https://www.bateriasmac.com/en/contact-us
United States others https://www.optimabatteries.com/
Australia Market https://www.delkor.com/ Automotive, Commercial, Deep Cycle, Marine, Lawn& Garden

What might be confusing too, is that recently, CSAM Health Group purchased Optima Corporation Ltd both companies are leaders in e-health software services solutions . Note there is yet another company, Optima Global Solution LLC, that offers technology to support simulation, predictive analytics, and deployment of mobile resources. The Optima Corporation serves emergency services, airline, and health industries.

Ran a yellow top in 12v in my cranker (1910 buick) thats a deep cycle battery great long lasting on dead-end system
I sold that car and kept that battery - put that in my T with a starter cranking amps reduce quickly
red top is my choice on the starter cars though both are 12v.
Known alot of guys running 6v & 12v red tops and very happy with them

My 4 T’s run Red Top Optima 6v….have over the years swapped out lead acid batteries that have to be continually supplied with water to top off the wet cells during our hot FL weather. To me that’s a real plus.

Oldest Red Top is a 2014, still fine. Latest is a ‘21 Red Top, there’s a dealer who sells refurbs or blems at Moultrie GA swap meet, so cost is less than typical retail and he takes them back if any issues, never have returned one!

I had a red top in my 96 Deville and had to get it replaced under warrenty and then the second 1 would just go dead for no reason. Car had a 140 amp altenator on it and it was working well. But even after 80 miles of driving and straight to Advance to ask them to check it, "oh optima batterys require a low amp long duration recharge" and I was denied any more help, The best 1 from walmart was put in the car and went with it when i traded, had no issues with it at all.
I can't speak for others and won't attempt it. But there will be ice sickles hanging on the gutters of hades before I personally buy another 1.

Based on what Mack said about low-amp charging, will a standard Model T generator charge an Optima?

Yes, a Model T generator will charge a 6V Optima. It would be best to limit charge rate to 5 amps. If you drive long distsnces with few starts or other demands on the battery, it's best to reduce the charge rate to near zero by some means, such as turning on the headlights during extended drives. The Model T generator is not well regulated, and can it be hard on any battery.

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 27, 2023 1:03 pm

Yes, a Model T generator will charge a 6V Optima. It would be best to limit charge rate to 5 amps. If you drive long distsnces with few starts or other demands on the battery, it's best to reduce the charge rate to near zero by some means, such as turning on the headlights during extended drives. The Model T generator is not well regulated, and can it be hard on any battery.

This is an important point and overlooked. While there is interest in a Voltage Regulator to regulate battery charging, one can manually regulate it by merely turning lights on and off. As stated before a 50Ah battery like the Optima 6 volt can provide several hours (about 8-hr from full charge) of use without out charging. A 100Ah flooded acid cranking battery would do 16-18 hours. Battery Ah/amp load.

I've had no issue with keeping the charge up on the Optima Red Top 6v with the Model T generator. I keep the gen. output just under slight discharge on the dash ammeter with the lights on and running at a quick idle. But I do use the Voltage Reg.

On the stored Ts, about every couple of months put a float type low amp trickle charger on those Red Tops, and within 3-6 hours they are topped up.

To me, the Optima is the best no-maintenance 6v battery around and worth the price.




Charging Optima RedTop Batteries: 6V

These batteries are designed for engine starting applications. They are NOT recommended or warranted for use in deep-cycle applications.
Recommended Charger Battery Fighter 6V Charger
Alternator 6.65 – 7.5V, no amperage limit.
Battery Charger 6.9 – 7.5V, 10 amps max, for 6 to 12 hours.
Rapid Recharge Max 7.8V (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 51.7°C. Charge until current drops below one amp.
Float Charge 6.6 – 6.9V, one amp max current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).