Optima Yellow Top Swelling on top???

[68 Broncoholic]

I've run a Yellow top for 5 years with no problems. After doing mods over the summer the battery was dead. I threw the charger on it, checked the next day and it was still taking a full charge. I then felt the battery and it was real hot and now has swelling areas on the top where each gell cell is. Could it be that the batter it toast? I disconnected the cables to see if something was pulling down the battery. Next day I reconnected the cables and I had lights. Disconnected the cables again and the second day they were dim. Recharged and it got hot and the lights work but the battery drains in 2 days disconnected.
Anyone else have this problem?

 

[broncow72]

5 years ain't bad for a battery. Time for a new one.

 

[gasspaser]

i had a problem with a yellow top @ OCBR and it wouldn't hold a charge, lucky me when the battery was purchased the guy never punched the top when it was bought...i took it to autozone, and they swaped it out for a new one....Mine was also 5yrs old..

 

[Krawln68]

I had a wire ground out in back and fried a wire from the back to right under the dash. I went to disconnect the battery, and the whole thing was swollen, and completly dead. I threw it on a charger, and ran it problem free for another 2 yrs.

 

[1975SPORT]

I had my yellow top for four months, did very mild wheeling with it, no previous problems, and all the sudden it was just dead as a doornail. Apparently and I dont know if this is true, but they are kind of vaccum sealed or something. They dont leak because of the way that they are built. But even if you get a pinhole or tiny crack in them they can slowly or in my case very quickly just die on you. Ill never own one again, might as well go to scwabies or wal-mart and have a place to return in on a warranty while only spending 50-100 bucks instead of 180 bucks...wasnt impressed

 

[JB Fab]

I was told by a battery guy, that the "gell cell" batterys can't dissapate heat as well as lead / acid batterys, therefore they must be charged very slowly to keep them from cooking. According to him they should never be charged at a setting higher than 2Amp.

 

[78Scronco]

ooops then.

 

[68 Broncoholic]

I was charging at 10 amps before%) , I'll switch to 2 amps and see how that goes. The weird thing was the lights work this morning after recharging it the other day. I don't think its a short or pwr draw as I've never had a problem before parking in the garage.
This is the only battery I've had good luck with but I'd hate for it to fail out in the sticks!
I found that all the lead core plates would break internally and fail real quick on an off road rig. Gell cell seems to be the only way to go and having a deep cycle for winching is a nice option.

What else is there to run? The Red Top? Anyothers like the Interstate gells?

 

[racebronco]

I got my yellowtop from a guy who said it was dead & he tried to charge it many times, only had 5 volts in it, took it home & charged it on 2amp for about 24 hours & have been using for 6 years now.. still starts like a champ..

 

[Baja71]

I was told by a battery guy, that the "gell cell" batterys can't dissapate heat as well as lead / acid batterys, therefore they must be charged very slowly to keep them from cooking. According to him they should never be charged at a setting higher than 2Amp.

Optimas aren't gel cells, btw...I've got a Red Top in my 911 and it's got to be over 8 yrs. old....nice batts. I put a marine one in my boat last year so we'll see if it outlasts the normal 2-3yr span on regular batts.

 

[HotWheels]

Anyone ever open an Optima?

 

[Baja71]

Anyone ever open an Optima?

They use a spiral cell technology...I've seen cutaway diagrams, but no, not the inside of an actual battery. Don't think I'd attempt that.

 

[68 Broncoholic]

Well, the lights are still turn on this morning. Maybe the final recharge did it. Maybe I'll keep a spare with me just in case. Plus its nice to have 2 for welding with nickles in the woods anyway ;D

 

[clkwrkorg36]

the spiral cells warp and distort over time.

 

[braxton357]

Good to hear you guys are having good luck with optimas. I've tried three red tops in two different vehicles and they've been likely the worst batteries I've ever owned. Maybe the yellow tops work better...