Yellow top or Red top battery
02-03-09, 11:18 AM
#1
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Yellow top or Red top battery
Which battery should I get for my gs4 the Optima Yellow top or Red top?
I have a 500 rms amp for my subs. I was told by a auto performance shop that the yellow top was not made for alternator engines, but for show cars or race engines. And if I were to get it it would be damaged in a couple of years. They recommended I get a red top. Is this true?
I have a 500 rms amp for my subs. I was told by a auto performance shop that the yellow top was not made for alternator engines, but for show cars or race engines. And if I were to get it it would be damaged in a couple of years. They recommended I get a red top. Is this true?
02-03-09, 12:22 PM
#3
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blue top is the best one if you can find it, it will recharge to 100 percent if drained and can handle the amp load easily, yellow top would be a close second, plus the blue tops can come with extra terminals to run your power wire from.
02-03-09, 12:52 PM
#4
Red Top is a starter battery. Blue Top is a deep cycle Battery. Yellow is a hybrid. Yellow Top technically doesn't handle starting a well as a starter battery like the Red Top, and doesn't deep cycle nearly as well as the Blue Top, but does marginally better at deep cycling than the Red Top, and handles starting a lot better than the Blue Top.
Spec wise the shop is correct, but it doesn't mean you will damage the battery. Many do use the Yellow Top as a starter babattery just fine.
If you don't plan on listening to the radio a lot with the engine off, I'd stick with a Red Top.
Independent studies have shown the Red Top does not recover from a full discharge any better than typical lead acid batteries, and the Yellow Top is only marginal better. For that reason I personally stick with the Red Top. Plus the Red Top is cheaper. All of then can come with both top and side mounts, so that is no issue.
Spec wise the shop is correct, but it doesn't mean you will damage the battery. Many do use the Yellow Top as a starter babattery just fine.
If you don't plan on listening to the radio a lot with the engine off, I'd stick with a Red Top.
Independent studies have shown the Red Top does not recover from a full discharge any better than typical lead acid batteries, and the Yellow Top is only marginal better. For that reason I personally stick with the Red Top. Plus the Red Top is cheaper. All of then can come with both top and side mounts, so that is no issue.
Last edited by CK6Speed; 02-03-09 at 01:03 PM.
02-03-09, 01:17 PM
#6
Red Top is a starter battery. Blue Top is a deep cycle Battery. Yellow is a hybrid. Yellow Top technically doesn't handle starting a well as a starter battery like the Red Top, and doesn't deep cycle nearly as well as the Blue Top, but does marginally better at deep cycling than the Red Top, and handles starting a lot better than the Blue Top.
Spec wise the shop is correct, but it doesn't mean you will damage the battery. Many do use the Yellow Top as a starter babattery just fine.
If you don't plan on listening to the radio a lot with the engine off, I'd stick with a Red Top.
Independent studies have shown the Red Top does not recover from a full discharge any better than typical lead acid batteries, and the Yellow Top is only marginal better. For that reason I personally stick with the Red Top. Plus the Red Top is cheaper. All of then can come with both top and side mounts, so that is no issue.
Spec wise the shop is correct, but it doesn't mean you will damage the battery. Many do use the Yellow Top as a starter babattery just fine.
If you don't plan on listening to the radio a lot with the engine off, I'd stick with a Red Top.
Independent studies have shown the Red Top does not recover from a full discharge any better than typical lead acid batteries, and the Yellow Top is only marginal better. For that reason I personally stick with the Red Top. Plus the Red Top is cheaper. All of then can come with both top and side mounts, so that is no issue.
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02-03-09, 02:10 PM
#8
iModerate
I had a Red Top in my Durango that lasted me 5 years. I now have a Yellow Top in the Lexus since Costco was out of stock of the Red when my battery died. You should be fine with either.
My car starts fine too.
My car starts fine too.
02-03-09, 04:24 PM
#10
Lexus Champion
i had a yellow top that was good for a few years..then one day i unbolting the battery on the positive side with a ratchet and accidently touched the firewall doing it..and it basically shorted the battery with a SMALL spark..so i ended up jus getting a duralast red top and its been great for probably as long if not longer than when i had the optima
02-03-09, 05:55 PM
#11
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I used to have Red Top...on my previous car...haven't had it replace my OEM on my GS yet..but will probably looking to get the Red Top one day..when I need it..
Last edited by JoelGs; 02-03-09 at 06:00 PM.
02-04-09, 06:14 AM
#13
Optima Blue Tops are great batteries. Yes, they are designed for marine use. (And because of this you will pay a premium for ANYTHING to do with a boat. If you think that's bad, by something with aviation design.)
Great info on this thread about Optima Blue Tops:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...t-battery.html
That said, I bought a Die-Hard Gold for my GS last month, but I only have a small amp and upgraded sub in factory location.
The best thing you can do for ANY battery while running a system/amps is to put in a capacitor. They are not that expensive, and they will drastically improve the performance and life of ANY battery. I've got a RF 25fd digital hybrid capacitor between 4 Optima Blue Tops and 3 amps; in my boat.
Great info on this thread about Optima Blue Tops:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...t-battery.html
That said, I bought a Die-Hard Gold for my GS last month, but I only have a small amp and upgraded sub in factory location.
The best thing you can do for ANY battery while running a system/amps is to put in a capacitor. They are not that expensive, and they will drastically improve the performance and life of ANY battery. I've got a RF 25fd digital hybrid capacitor between 4 Optima Blue Tops and 3 amps; in my boat.
02-04-09, 07:53 AM
#15
debonair...u know i STILL haven't made this yet since u posted directions on it. stereo place didn't have a spare piece of Plexiglas and i wasn't gonna buy the 48X48 sheet i had to buy it new in! u got enough of a spare to sell me some? or wanna make me one and I'll buy it from you?