Exide Extreme or Optima Yellow Top

[Doug86]

Hey Guys and Gals,

I have a 2007 SG XT that is still running its original battery and its getting a bit tired.

I am looking to replace and upgrade. The details that matter to the battery are I run a fridge in the boot on ACC. power, the only time that the fridge is unplugged is when i am charging my jumper/charger/inverter/compressor thing. I also plan on getting a 20-30cm light bar for the front. I also do use the stereo often while throwing some iron around in the car port.

I also am going to start taking it away a bit more so I want something that is going to do a bit better under off-road conditions.

I have narrowed it down to the optima yellow top D34

https://www.optima-batteries.com.au/optima-yellow-top-d34.html

or the Exide Extreme N70EXL

https://www.batteriesdirect.com.au/shop/product/22316/n70exl.html

I am still open to suggestions as well.

I can get the optima for $255 or the Exide for $215

Thoughts? I used to have a Optima blue top in my old lancer with a competition stereo that was epic.
https://www.optima-batteries.com.au/optima-blue-top-34m.html
I could run the headlights for days, or the stereo for about an hour

The question is do people think that the yellow top is worth the extra $40 or will the exide provide the goods for what I need, give that I always have a jumper pack with me.

Any feed back would be valued!

 

[taza]

Optima Yellow top will the way. They are excellent batteries. Worth every pennie!

 

[mr turbo]

I have the Optima Yellow Top in my MY05XT Forry & it hasn't missed a beat
I bought it in mid 2009 (4 & 1/2 yrs ago) & it's still going strong :ebiggrin:

Hope this helps.

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday Doug

We had a Bosch 55D23L battery put in our Camry about December 2011, $145 fitted, and old one disposed of (by Ross Hallett at Kingston Service Centre):

https://www.hollyhockbatteries.com.au/Bosch_55D23L.html

When the Camry went to the wreckers (traded in ... ), I swapped the battery out of Roo2 into the Camry, and this battery into Roo2.

Still cranks like a bull in mating season. I expect it to last longer than the last battery in Roo1, which lasted well in excess of 5 years.

 

[idw]

+ 1 optima yellow top, good for light cycling, and will probably fit in the battery tray it's 5cm shorter than the exide.

 

[Douglas Ferrier]

Forget the traditional AGM, lead acid.

Lithium Iron phosphate 12v are now similar in price and provide a lighter battery while providing more duty cycles and more amp hours, scan around ther are plethora now coming available at very competitive prices.

Lithium is a definite for my next one, the optima yellow top has been a ripper in my wife's civic, but that battery is now old technology; given the price drop over the last few years of lithium the price point has now made the lithium very viable for a far more robust battery that will delver more power for longer and more years.

 

[NachaLuva]

Battery technology is slowly but surely coming along. Lithium has been around for a while now & is being improved while getting cheaper, but I'm still waiting for the next generation of batteries to be invented...

 

[Doug86]

Yeah, I had a bit of a look at some of the Lithium batteries around but they are still a touch expensive. I think the current style of battery are better value for money. In a few year though I reckon Li batteries will be the norm.

I ordered a D34/78 Yellow top. $265 delivered. Now I have to dig out the old battery charger. I haven't used it since I got the jump pack, not even sure where it is.

 

[subyroo]

According to the Subaru guys over on the USA Subaru Forester OPTIMA moved their manufacturing south of the border, Mexico, and the quality went south with them.

I had a Red Top in my 01 RX Liberty, transferred it into the 03 XS Forester and it lasted 9 years. I wanted to replace it with another Optima but the guys SF.org Forum talked me out of it.
One of the guys on the Forum has a mate who actually worked for Optima and was sent to Mexico to train the people down there and he said the quality had dropped off enough for him not to recommend the battery to anybody.

Take note of Post #19 as you read through this thread: https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f85/optima-battery-feedback-needed-57822/

 

[simxs]

I had a Yellow Top, purchased in September 2007, which lasted only until December 2010 and then failed to hold a charge. I've had an Exide since then which is still going strong.