Optima Yellow Top Question.

[Pimpin_29y]

I am looking into getting a OPTIMA Yellow Top battery dual post‏ Spiral Cell.

I've found two conflicting stories in regards to the proper fitment, D34/78 on Mazda3forums and the Optima website D35.

Can someone who has installed this on the Mazda 3 comment on the correct sizing for the Mazda 3?

If any sponsors have any specials running on these please lemmi know.

Cheers,

[Flagrum_3]

Hey Pimpin, its the 35 or D35, Red top or Yellow top.Both are the same size...Also from what I've seen you night have to leave the battery compartment lid off for it to fit.


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[Pimpin_29y]

Hey Pimpin, its the 35 or D35, Red top or Yellow top.Both are the same size...Also from what I've seen you night have to leave the battery compartment lid off for it to fit.


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Yeah my understanding is that the D35 is the recommended size by Optima however the D34/78 is the recommended sizing by Mazda3 owners to close the battery compartment correctly. Can anyone confirm?

[Flagrum_3]

Yeah my understanding is that the D35 is the recommended size by Optima however the D34/78 is the recommended sizing by Mazda3 owners to close the battery compartment correctly. Can anyone confirm?

Okay, get it...I think the best thing to do is measure the battery case (height especially) than go to Walmart and measure the batteries, althought unfortunitely they don't carry Yellow Tops just the Red Tops.


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[EvilEric]

Okay, get it...I think the best thing to do is measure the battery case (height especially) than go to Walmart and measure the batteries, althought unfortunitely they don't carry Yellow Tops just the Red Tops.


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They seem to have Blue Tops. I just went today to check it out. Also saw the red tops there.

[Wild Weasel]

Blue Tops are meant for marine use.

[WLS ZMZM]

What I would do before purchasing the yellow top.. is to check at a performance shop, the only reason I say that is when I went to get one for my civic roughly a year ago... I had nothing but issues with it... only some stores were carrying them because they had been recalled due to some issue with them, and were not being reproduced for a while. That came straight from Optima.... as for where to buy them if you know somenone with a Sam's Club membership go check them out there they were alot cheaper!! When I was going for my civic Battery...

[Videcak]

Check out Obital Purple Haze, been hearing very good things about them.

[WLS ZMZM]

an exide deep cycle.... I dunno bout that heheh, I've never really been a fan of exide batteries,

[Hives]

Try looking for used ones too. My buddy got one for his accord for $100 and it was perfectly fine.

[Flagrum_3]

Hey Pimpin, so did you ever get a yellow top?


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[S.F.W.]

I was just talking with him the other day about the battery. He hasn't gotten his yellow top yet.

[selective sound]

We carry the yellow tops and we have them in stock, you can come by and check if it will fit your car.

[Flagrum_3]

^^^Nice...Whats the price range on those?


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[RedRaptor]

Just to bring this back to life. There is a $25 USD rebate (2 max per household) on Optima Batteries now (Red, Blue, Yellow). I just bought 3 BlueTops for my boat. Got mine from Costco for $189.99 + tax. Walmart has them for $239.99 + tax.

While BlueTops are labelled for marine use, the only difference is they have the smaller terminal posts for marine accessories. I am thinking of running my BlueTop (34DC) in my 3 for the winter when my boat is out of the water.

[chinsterr]

Picked up a yellow top battery from a friend ... been using it for 2 months now. No problems ... but nothing special either.

[RedRaptor]

Not yet...but the extra CCAs will turn your car much faster come winter time.

[Nextmod]

I carry OPTIMA Yellow and OPTIMA Red's

[marvin24k]

Peter what are your prices on both the Yellow and Red?


I carry OPTIMA Yellow and OPTIMA Red's

[Thrizzl3]

plz tell us..dying for a red top:)

[Nextmod]

Which size are you guys looking for? just give me the part number I will check for you guys

[S.F.W.]

which size are you guys looking for? Just give me the part number i will check for you guys
d34/78

[marvin24k]

Which size are you guys looking for? just give me the part number I will check for you guys

Redtop: 35 (8020-164)
YellowTop: D35 (8040-218)

[S.F.W.]

Redtop: 35 (8020-164)
YellowTop: D35 (8040-218)
35 is what Optima recomends, but you won't be able to close your battery cover. I, and many others run the 34 series battery instead, as it allows you to fit the battery cover.

[marvin24k]

35 is what Optima recomends, but you won't be able to close your battery cover. I, and many others run the 34 series battery instead, as it allows you to fit the battery cover.

Thanks for the clarification Ami, I was not aware. Does anyone know the diff. between 34 vs 35 technically speaking???

[S.F.W.]

Thanks for the clarification Ami, I was not aware. Does anyone know the diff. between 34 vs 35 technically speaking???
34 is a more powerful battery. Full specs below:

RedTop®; Battery; UNBOXED; Group 35; Cold Crank Amps 720; Crank Amps 910; Reserve Capacity 90; Ampere Hour 44; Top Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 3/4 in.; H-7 5/8 in.;

RedTop®; Battery; UNBOXED; Group 34; Cold Crank Amps 800; Crank Amps 1000; Reserve Capacity 110; Ampere Hour 50; Top Terminal; L-10 in.; W-6 7/8 in.; H-7 13/16 in.;

[MajesticBlueNTO]

35 is what Optima recomends, but you won't be able to close your battery cover. I, and many others run the 34 series battery instead, as it allows you to fit the battery cover.


34 is a more powerful battery. Full specs below:

RedTop®; Battery; UNBOXED; Group 35; Cold Crank Amps 720; Crank Amps 910; Reserve Capacity 90; Ampere Hour 44; Top Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 3/4 in.; H-7 5/8 in.;

RedTop®; Battery; UNBOXED; Group 34; Cold Crank Amps 800; Crank Amps 1000; Reserve Capacity 110; Ampere Hour 50; Top Terminal; L-10 in.; W-6 7/8 in.; H-7 13/16 in.;

i haven't seen pics of the battery cover not fitting, nor was aware of that issue until now...but the measurement specs don't make sense since the 34 is marginally longer, taller and wider.

plus the 35 allows you to connect the +ve battery connector to the battery terminal without making an adapter, when compared with the 34

Optima 34/78 (similar to the 34 but with side terminals)
http://img143.exs.cx/img143/7296/picture01159io.jpg
http://12-volt-battery.com/images/Optima%20model%2034R.JPG

Optima 35
http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/41066/2462333740095788936S600x600Q85.jpg

[S.F.W.]

should clarify, I installed a D34/78 Red Top. I was told, and saw in a few places the cover would not fit over the D35/78.

[Mty Mous]

Ami, does this apply to the Yellow Tops as well? I have a brand new Yellow Top waiting to go into the car, but now I'm thinking I should go trade it in before unwrapping the plastic.

Heading to the garage to check the model# for that battery.

[S.F.W.]

Ami, does this apply to the Yellow Tops as well? I have a brand new Yellow Top waiting to go into the car, but now I'm thinking I should go trade it in before unwrapping the plastic.

Heading to the garage to check the model# for that battery.
I'm not sure about the Yellow Tops, but my guess is that it applies to both.

[Thrizzl3]

Ami, is the redtop specifically for vehicles with sound systems and the yellow top for stop and go traffic?

[S.F.W.]

Ami, is the redtop specifically for vehicles with sound systems and the yellow top for stop and go traffic?
Optima says the yellow top is for vehicles with sound systems "cars with high-demand audio systems,". The red top is "Strongest 5 second starting burst" . I'm far from an expert, but think they are both great. I went red top as starting my car with all the electronics was straining my alternator.
Eventually, if I add more electronics, I would likely run a separate battery in the back to run my audio, etc.

[Mty Mous]

Ami, is the redtop specifically for vehicles with sound systems and the yellow top for stop and go traffic?

RedTop was designed for everyday use, but the YellowTop which is meant more for high loads from stereo's and accessories can easily deal with everyday use too.

One BIG difference between the RedTop and YellowTop is that the YellowTop can be deep cycled again and again and it'll take it like a champ! Where as the RedTop will take it a couple of times then puke out on you! I know this from personal experience.

That being said, if you put the RedTop in a daily driven car, you really won't have much to worry about cause it'll hardly get a chance to completely drain. Mine died on me cause I had it in the Summer car and didn't plug the trickle charger on for 2 winters back to back ... both times the battery completely drained and came back to life no problem, but the third winter it didn't wanna hold the charge, it just kept getting REALLY hot the more you charged it (I had the charger set at 2amps), and then it started venting ... but good thing the RedTops come with 3yr replacement warranty, so it covered my arse! :)

YellowTop purchased Before 01Jan2009 only came with 1yr replacement warranty.
YellowTop purchased After 01Jan2009 comes with 3yr replacement warranty.
RedTop Purchased whenever, will always come with 3yr replacement warranty.

[Thrizzl3]

RedTop was designed for everyday use, but the YellowTop which is meant more for high loads from stereo's and accessories can easily deal with everyday use too.

One BIG difference between the RedTop and YellowTop is that the YellowTop can be deep cycled again and again and it'll take it like a champ! Where as the RedTop will take it a couple of times then puke out on you! I know this from personal experience.

That being said, if you put the RedTop in a daily driven car, you really won't have much to worry about cause it'll hardly get a chance to completely drain. Mine died on me cause I had it in the Summer car and didn't plug the trickle charger on for 2 winters back to back ... both times the battery completely drained and came back to life no problem, but the third winter it didn't wanna hold the charge, it just kept getting REALLY hot the more you charged it (I had the charger set at 2amps), and then it started venting ... but good thing the RedTops come with 3yr replacement warranty, so it covered my arse! :)

YellowTop purchased Before 01Jan2009 only came with 1yr replacement warranty.
YellowTop purchased After 01Jan2009 comes with 3yr replacement warranty.
RedTop Purchased whenever, will always come with 3yr replacement warranty.

thx MM looks like ill be geting a yellow top

[marvin24k]

Any updates with pricing?

[1flycdnM3]

I have the RedTop for about a year now and has never failed me! I got it because of the starting issue (like Ami said) and also i occasionally forget to unplug my iPod which charges even when the car is off (sometimes phone too). As far as i know, the RedTop can handle a stereo system as well, but if you have stuff drawing a lot of power (huge stereo system, underglow kit, interior lighting, strobe lights, etc) then the YellowTop would be a better choice. I see many "show cars" that use YellowTop just for this reason, but i am confident that RedTop will work for everything i need (upgrading stereo in future as well)

side note: never did check the model # on mine because i never put the top back on, sits perfectly in place without it and hasn't moved at all since i put it in.

[Nextmod]

ya PM me for special pricing. I can get them now

[Nextmod]

retail $290 plus tax

I can do

OPTIMA BAT 34 Red top - $189.00 plus tax

takes 2 days

[gabbygenier]

i have a redtop and a pretty power hungry stereo. with the car off, i played it before for over half an hour and the voltage didnt even drop by .5v. that was with the bass full blast.

so imagine a yellow top. the redtop was well worth the money IMHO

[Donutz]

Peter, can you do a GI and if there's enough interest a gb? I need a new batt this year and I wonder how many others would be interested in one of these.

[gularti]

Is it confirmed that the YellowTop: D35 (8040-218) will not allow the battery cover to fit correctly over top?

[iconicrocket]

Anyone know where I can get a Yellow Top D34 in Toronto, prefer downtown location? For a good price.