I think I heard that you need some kind of an adapter for the Optima so that the bottom clamps on the Superduty will work. Are you familiar with that? I don't really know, but it's something to keep in mind.

Edit: from the Optima web site -

Customer must know:

• [*]

 

You're right. The batteries are different sized than the OEM and WILL NOT bolt in without an adapter; I had the same issue with my F150. Optima makes a set of plastic "Snap-In Adapters" that allow the battery to bolt in exactly the same as the OEM battery. I read on another forum that Optima sent them to him free. I just emailed them to find out. I also found them online for $10.

Bottom Snap In Adapters for 34/78 series Optima's replacing standard Series 65 batteries.
http://www.batteriesareus.com/index....products_id=58

 

The yellows I purchased both came with the snap in adaptors. They do seem to work very well with no issues for me when installing.

Rick...

 

Not looking to start a war here, but with the yellowtop my lights would dim everytime i used my plow, but not with the DieHard Platinum.


you'd want the DieHard Platinum P-2 group 65. 930 CCA. Read the reviews...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...icationsAnchor

 

Iv had a yellow top optima in 3 trucks over the last 7 years. I think it just quit last week because my brother left the dome light on for a week. I trickle charged it over night but its still dead. My brother mite have done something. But i haven't checked it or really looked at it yet.
I got 7 years out of it. was it any better then any other battery iv had. No. Would I buy again probably not. O and they only have a 1yr warranty. I can get 2 3yr warranty batteries for the same price.

 

No war wanted, I just want experience and facts, and that means a good variation of info; thus this 'forum'. I've never been a "die-hard" person, where 'one' is better than 'another'. My wife & dad graduated USC, my sister UCLA, bro-in-law, UCLA & USC. Me, CalPoly. Who cares? No fighting in our family...it's all crap. I have friends who love Chevy, others GMC...great. Love 'em all you want. I don't care and won't give a hoot. "To everyone their own". (sorry about that rant)

ANYWAY, Those Sears Platinum's look good, but for $189, I mean, wow! That seems like a lot. BUt it's the saem and the Optima Yellow, with an added year of replacement (4yr!).

I just picked up the two Optima Blue Tops @ costco for $145/each, with a $25 rebate, and Optima responded to my email last night and are shipping out the brackets required for Optima 34/75 Battery Series 65 replacement adapters. But I may be returning them later today.

In reading all the reviews of the Sears Platinum P-2, it "appears" that these Sears Platinum P-2 Series 65 Batteries are made by Optima, and have a 4 year full replacement warrantee. They also weigh 60 pounds, are AGM technology, which withstands the vibration and heat better than standard lead-acids. These are very similar to the biggest Yellow or Blue Top Optimas, and they have a better replacement warrantee (2&3 yr vs 4 yr). The Blue tops from Costco are 43# and noticeably smaller than the OEMs (2yr replacement). I couldn't justify paying $100 more for 1yr (Blue vs Yellow), but for double the warrantee, I'll pay the extra $100.

I think I'll call the local Sears and go check them out, and maybe pick me up a matched pair. You and the other reviews may have persuaded me to buy these Sears Batt's, since they are Optimas, or so it seems.

 

Optima currently has $25 rebate per tire found it when went to there web site.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/save25/


This might be unethical but I buy my batteries at Costco then when the free replacement period is almost out I take them back and exchange them. On the other hand I swear they have a little timer in them that fries them right when the free replacement period ends.

 

I've got five tires counting my spare, how many batteries do I have to buy to get the $25 X's 5 (=$125) ???? Sometimes I crack Me up!!!!

 

Costco only gives one rebate per person, per item, so I'de have to fudge it somehow to get two $25 rebates. But I just picked up the Sears 4 yr Platinum P-2 AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) 65 Series (60#) batteries. My 6 yr old OEMs are still plugging along, but not for long; the truck barely starts. I may have to get those new Sears ones in today, then return the optimas from costco. Sears Platinum P-2=Optima Yellow=$189/battery; but the Sears are 4 yr replacement vs 3 yr (optima). And the Costco Optima Blue = 2 yr.

When I first got the truck 6 months ago, it started awesomely. Then when the engine work was done (headstuds/EGR Cooler, etc) the batteries died and it didn't quite have that "ZING" when it started anymore. Then on the second round of dead batteries after going on a trip last weekend (leaving the truck in my driveway), they recharged ok and are hanging in there, but barely.

Hey, I got a free DIE HARD cap for the $400 (2 battery) purchase, that should help ease the pain, no?!?

 

Change them one at a time, keeping juice on the truck at all times, to prevent computer problems. Obviously being careful with the + cable because it will still be hot.


Hopefully your truck survived the various low voltage episodes. It's a bad thing to let happen with any of todays electronic controlled engines, but especially with these 6.0's. Lots of failed FICM's lately.

Slow cranking sneaks up on you and you don't notice it. For 6.0 owners, we're probably smart to just change batteries about every 4 years, regardless of our perception of condition.

 

Slight correction, you only have nominal 12vdc in your truck, the two batteries just provide more cca and reserve capacity to run the glow plugs and crank the starter at the same time.



Wow, that's hot. You must mean 60-100 F!

Anyway, I think the motorcraft, interstate, deka are good batteries. I'm not sold on the optimas personally.

 

Yup, pbounds already corrected me. Thanks to both! I always learn something new here. 12VDC with approx 2000CCA via two 12VDC batteries in parallel.

Somehow hit the Celsius instead of Fahrenheit.

Gonna change the batts later today and see how it goes, one at a time, careful of the always hot +12VDC lead. Thanks all for your input.

pbounds, probably a smart thing to keep batteries changed/new around 4-5 years. I have always had dead batt's, regardless of the manufacturer, at 6 years.

 

I've never had good luck with Diehard batteries and there very expensive. The Autozone Duralast batteries are pretty good as are interstates and the motorcraft batteries. If I was in your situation I would be looking at the Autozone Duralast Golds since they have more CCA than the reds. Or get a set of Interstates with a little more CCA than your current MCs.

I don't have any experience with Optimas, never considered them. Only advantage I see to the optimas is less weight, decent vibration resistance and they are sealed. Not needed in a SD IMO unless you offroad the truck pretty hard and at odd angles.

 

Absolutely hands down Go with a Optima red top! Mine Optima is 8 years old, I live in Alaska, and leave my truck at the airport for 5-7 days regularly while traveling....It always starts. I will never buy any other battery. My 2 cents

 

Just swapped the old (visible red-eye=almost dead) Motorcrafts (6 years old!) for the Sears Die Hard Platinum P-2 65 series (AbsorbedGlassMat), made by Optima, with a 4 year warrantee, one-at-a-time. The swap went perfectly. And WOW! I love the quick start, like it was a few months ago. 930x2=1860CCA with 135x2=270 minute reserve capacity. And the 4 year Replacement / 100 month pro-rated replacement isn't bad either. I like the Optima, and since these Sears Platinum's are made by them, it was a "good" feeling for me.

Thank you all for your input.