mine is going on three years, my buddy said he tried to fire up my rig and the battery was dead.... it's been sitting for a long time while the bumper has been getting built, just wondering if i should just bite the bullet and replace it or play it by ear...

 

Charge it. I've run many optimas dead - heck, I've driven off of optimas w/ no alternator. Had one freeze as well, never had a problem w/ it. Charge it and you'll be fine. My oldest one is going on 10 years.

 

I also say charge it! When my rig was getting repainted, it went dead 3 times, due to no use. That was 3 years ago. I stilll have it in there and it doesnt show any signs of weakness. BTW mine is over 7 years old. I like it so much that I put one in the wifes ride!

 

my buddy was saying i need some special type of charger... i think he's full of it because i charged my old one many times with a a regular charger and it was fine... you guys ever heard of that

 

I just looked at the documentation that came with the RED TOP Optima I installed back in '97. Its still going strong as ever. The instructions don't say anything about using a special charger. It only cautions against overcharging. Maybe the deep-cycle yellow tops need special charger ???

I say just charge it.

 

I just use a regular charger on mine. no problems at all

 

Your buddy is full of crap. But.... is your wife?

 

sometimes!!!

 

A trickle charge is better for the gel type batteries, they like a slower charge.

 

I got exactly 2 years out of my redtop. I run an electric fan and lights, winch and used to use the clutch start cancel button liberally. The redtop was still under warranty so I got the prorated warranty and got a yellowtop replacement. It lasted three years in my 4Runner, my DDer and wheeler. I have another yellowtop underhood now but I also have two Odyssey batteries in series to give me a 24 volt bank and am very impressed with the Odysseys. I will not buy another Optima. They are good for the casual driver/wheeler but not the best that is available.

 

This is especially true of the yellowtop (deep cycle) and bluetop (deep cycle marine.) the redtop will take a fast charge without shortening the life much.