Optima 8014-045-FFP YellowTop Group 34/78 Deep Cycle Battery Review

Customer Ratings:

This is officially my sixth Optima Yellow Top battery, and the first that has had an issue requiring warranty support. Unfortunately, I was told by Optima that Amazon is not on their authorized retailer list therefore I am unable to take it to a local retailer for warranty support. I also confirmed via my Amazon account that it cannot be returned to Amazon. What to do, what to do. Well, even though it is only 9 months old, I bought a brand new Optima from my local Autozone that I know will be an easy exchange should I ever have an issue again.

Now, on to the battery: These have worked well for me in multiple applications from HD trucks to multi-amp-ed Trans Am's and even an off-road Jeep. I've never had one fail until now but be aware that these are not "plug-and-play" batteries like a wet lead-acid type that most people use and/or grew up with when it comes to charging. I'd suggest visiting Optima's web site and reading the differences between their Red, Yellow and Blue top batteries so you understand their application and the type of care and feeding they require. The Yellow covers both cranking amps for starter motors as well as deep-cycle capacity for applications with a large amperage draw such as amplifiers and accessories like winches and such. I've averaged over 6 years out of each battery until I had this one fail and two were going strong when the vehicles left my possession.

I'm guessing that a number of those who are saying this is a bad battery or doesn't last haven't taken the time to learn about them. They can be drained completely down and yet recover where a standard battery won't. But, and it is a big but, they must be recovered following very specific procedures and no, you can't simply hook up a charger and expect it to recover automatically. Do some research and you'll confirm what I already know, these are not standard batteries and yes, they are better than your standard wet-cell batteries, in my opinion. For me, they've outlasted every other type of battery I've used and are what I buy when the stock battery dies or when I need more power for accessories. Peace.

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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.

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There's a lot of un-due praise for Optima batteries. I believe their reputation is over deserving. Granted batteries don't last long in Phoenix, I was expecting more than the 2 years I got out of my Yellow Top Optima; their capacity and life is not much different than cheaper quality batteries.

Negs:

The warranty is very poor, nowhere near the level of the competition.

I expected a quality deep cycle AGM to last a lot longer than just over 2 years.

Pros:

Worked well under heavy current loads. I run 5 amplifiers that draw about 80-100 amps. The Optima helped buffer the headlight-dimming effect I used to have w/ my stock battery.

Overall a good battery, but at this heavy price I would expect a battery to have a warranty to back it up past 18 months and to last longer than 2 years. If you're spending this much, check out the Diehard Platinum or others first, you'll be glad you did.

Honest reviews on Optima 8014-045-FFP YellowTop Group 34/78 Deep Cycle Battery

This is a great battery as long as you buy it from an authorized dealer. AMAZON is not and this voids the warranty!!! I have one that went bad just before the 3 year FREE replacement, which is very unusual with Optima batteries. The manufacturer won't honor warranty because Amazon is not an authorized distributor, they show a warranty link (bad advertizing), If you contact Amazon they say it's only good for 30 days. Terrible deal and have found it online for $20 cheaper, free shipping, and warrantied. Very disappointed with Amazon. BEWARE!!!

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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.