The difference? - Exide Orbitals and Optima yellow-top

[Windsock]

G'day all

Would like to know if any of you have used either of these batteries in your vehicles. Had considered getting a Optima Yellow top to replace an old 620 cca starter battery - but then saw that Exide make a similar battery - the orbital.

Any comments on the differences or similarity. Cost is the most apparent difference at the moment - Orbital is slightly cheaper.

I have a very basic truck accessory wise but have a 12v winch that can draw 420 amps max loading. Battery needs to start a 2.8 diesel after glowing etc. Battery is also used for some lighting and misc dc/ac inversion to 400watt on occasion while camping from time to time.

[TJ]

I am using blue top Oribtal and for me the biggest difference (after price) was the extended warranty offered by Exide. I have been very happy with it, though it has not been tested to the max (i.e. on a winch) yet.

Some people overseas have had some shocking experience with yellow-top Optimas lately. Just do a bit of google. There may be a little difference in reserve capacity of the two batteries, but for me that was not a factor.

[Sadam_Husain]

What are the costs on those batteries, both of my batteries are 6 years old and working fine but they are going to be due for replacement sooner than later?

[Windsock]

What are the costs on those batteries, both of my batteries are 6 years old and working fine but they are going to be due for replacement sooner than later?

The optima C20 75Ah yellow top in Palmerston North was going to cot me $665 Haven't tried to get anyother price from anywhere in PN or other place but if I get serious on the Optima I certainly will. The Orbital 34DC deep cycle (750cca - odd that a deep cycle battery gets a cca rating rather than the C20 Ah rating... ) was going to be about $600 retail but much less if I could get trade $$.

[NJV6]

The two you have mentioned are both deep cycle yet can provide the quick juice to start a car or run a winch motor.

So In theory they are ideal for what you want. Also in theory a deep cycle is not suitable for winching as they don't discharge (dump power) quick enough. In practice they seem to work ok.

Unless you are doing alot of winching it could well be more cost effective to run two 600ish CCA lead acid batteries.

[Windsock]

The two you have mentioned are both deep cycle yet can provide the quick juice to start a car or run a winch motor.

So In theory they are ideal for what you want. Also in theory a deep cycle is not suitable for winching as they don't discharge (dump power) quick enough. In practice they seem to work ok.

Unless you are doing alot of winching it could well be more cost effective to run two 600ish CCA lead acid batteries.

The room I have for batteries is limited and hence I'd like to go for the one battery for both purposes. In the Land Rover 110 the battery box is under the passenger and other than ripping into that or bulding a secondary box on the flatdeck, I'd like to stay with the idea of one dual purpose. I guess cost wise it is $$ to extend for two batteries and $$ for the dual purpose. Both expensive but with one easy and one meaning a lost weekend...

Interested in your comment about deep cycle not being ideal for winching. I had assumed deep cycle batteries to be ideal in that they can be repeatedly cycled without too much damage (vs the SLI battery). Hadn't considered the discharge rate, will have to go and re-read some of the papers I have on these

[Windsock]

I am using blue top Oribtal and for me the biggest difference (after price) was the extended warranty offered by Exide. I have been very happy with it, though it has not been tested to the max (i.e. on a winch) yet.

Some people overseas have had some shocking experience with yellow-top Optimas lately. Just do a bit of google. There may be a little difference in reserve capacity of the two batteries, but for me that was not a factor.

Hi TJ, do you use the dual purpose blue top or the starting/lighting/ignition blue top? went and re-read the papers I have on these after reading your post and realised there are two blue tops available. I had initially thought they were only deep cycle...

after a quick search for yellow top incidents on google couldn't find any links to problems. Any links available? I figure any batteries will give problems if not careful. Were the problems you alluded to from manufacturing issues or applications etc?

[wjw]

Deep cycle isn't designed for starting your truck, you'll need either a straight starting battery or a hybrid. I used a deep cylce for winching for a while because it was free. but it was crap.

[TJ]

Hi TJ, do you use the dual purpose blue top or the starting/lighting/ignition blue top? went and re-read the papers I have on these after reading your post and realised there are two blue tops available. I had initially thought they were only deep cycle...

after a quick search for yellow top incidents on google couldn't find any links to problems. Any links available? I figure any batteries will give problems if not careful. Were the problems you alluded to from manufacturing issues or applications etc?

Mine is Exide Orbital blue top (34DC-48). This is a fully sealed deep cycle/starting hybrid AGM battery with 750 CCA at 0F and a reserve capacity of 100 minutes. This is what it looks like fitted (says Deep Cycle / Starting on top):


Negative comments came from a couple of forums I follow in the US. Will have to search again later in the day.

[TJ]

Deep cycle isn't designed for starting your truck, you'll need either a straight starting battery or a hybrid. I used a deep cylce for winching for a while because it was free. but it was crap.

Agree, that is why pure marine deep cycle batteries are not recommended in trucks. You need a starting battery and a deep cycle (i.e. two batteries) or a hybrid.

[moonhopper]

What are the costs on those batteries, both of my batteries are 6 years old and working fine but they are going to be due for replacement sooner than later?

The optima C20 75Ah yellow top in Palmerston North was going to cot me $665 Haven't tried to get anyother price from anywhere in PN or other place but if I get serious on the Optima I certainly will. The Orbital 34DC deep cycle (750cca - odd that a deep cycle battery gets a cca rating rather than the C20 Ah rating... ) was going to be about $600 retail but much less if I could get trade $$.

Let me know if you get serious as i can get them at a much better price.

[NJV6]

Deep cycle isn't designed for starting your truck, you'll need either a straight starting battery or a hybrid. I used a deep cylce for winching for a while because it was free. but it was crap.

Agree, that is why pure marine deep cycle batteries are not recommended in trucks. You need a starting battery and a deep cycle (i.e. two batteries) or a hybrid.

Yip, a deep cycle would be of most use when camping out in Oz for example, you'll only use a deep cycle for running ancillaries such as a camping fridge or a light for a long time.

Typically something that will flaten a normal lead acid battery overnight a Deep Cycle will go for a few days. But cannot provide enough juice to operate high drain devices like a starter or winch motor.

Ideally a Yellow Top or one like TJ's (or any AGM) are the go but they are more costly.

[Heath]

Hi TJ, do you use the dual purpose blue top or the starting/lighting/ignition blue top? went and re-read the papers I have on these after reading your post and realised there are two blue tops available. I had initially thought they were only deep cycle...

after a quick search for yellow top incidents on google couldn't find any links to problems. Any links available? I figure any batteries will give problems if not careful. Were the problems you alluded to from manufacturing issues or applications etc?

Mine is Exide Orbital blue top (34DC-48). This is a fully sealed deep cycle/starting hybrid AGM battery with 750 CCA at 0F and a reserve capacity of 100 minutes. This is what it looks like fitted (says Deep Cycle / Starting on top):


Negative comments came from a couple of forums I follow in the US. Will have to search again later in the day.

Looks like the one I have in my zook ( Exide Orbital 34DC Hi Power ) Had it in the last 3 vehicles and love it. Tried to find another one but cant. I paid $250 for it 2 years ago (contacted the company I dealt with but they dont do them any more.

Heath

[nivaman]

I have an Optima red top in my truck that was dumped and got it home tested the volts which were about 2 volts so charged it for a couple days at 2 amps and it is still going, had it for about a year now.
Am impressed at its staying power, have not had any experiance with the Exide battery.

[madaz068]

I have two Optima Batts, one a red for running the Prado and a Blue one for running the winch, amp, lights. Example of how good the red one is, I was playing out at Whanga rd with the Welly boys when i jumped into a mud hole. I killed the Alt and filled the radiator. No charge coming from Alt but my 2 x 16" fans drawing 16amps lasted the two hours coming back from Whanga to home. It still started the truck the next morning as well. Blue one was put into Reece's truck for truck back and his truck lasted the trip back as well.

Dont know about the Orbitals but im impressed with the Red Optima.

[Windsock]

OK, cheers for the recommendations and advice everyone. What I am reading so far is that whatvever of either of these batteries you run you are happy with it and it does what you want it to do. That doesn't make the decision any easier at all but it does mean I am on the right track looking at one or the other of these.

I guess it'll come down to price and capability.

On the latter point I am referring to the re charge rate. I have read that the recharge rate of this type of battery (AGM spiral) is pretty quick, and yet, looking for information about the orbital is hard as there really isn't very much at all. The optima however provides good info on recharge rates and using a 50 amp alternator would take 112 minutes to recharge a completely discharged (10.5 v) battery. I have a 60 amp alt and calculations show a 90 minute recharge time. I don't know how often I'd completely drain it but this needs to be considered in the decision. Would consider a bigger alt but only if needed.

What alt amperage do you guys run and where you have a voltmeter, any idea of how long it takes to recharge?

[moonhopper]

Just to let everyone know i have priced the orbital red top and can get them for $356 + gst and the yellow top at $456 + gst
might get a better price if buy in bulk let me know if anyone wants one and i will coordinate it. cheers Tony

[nivaman]

Windsock
I have a 65 amp alt in my truck atm, will be fitting a 140 amp alt in the future when i rebuild and convert to fuel injection.
Would think price would be a big factor in your choice, i liked the fact when off road there is no liquid acid floating around in the engine room when the truck is being thrown around.

[TJ]

Just to let everyone know i have priced the orbital red top and can get them for $356 + gst and the yellow top at $456 + gst
might get a better price if buy in bulk let me know if anyone wants one and i will coordinate it. cheers Tony

Be careful, Orbital redtop is different from Orbital bluetop (34DC-48). I believe redtop is not recommended for winch use. But otherwise its a good battery.

[NJV6]

Just to let everyone know i have priced the orbital red top and can get them for $356 + gst and the yellow top at $456 + gst
might get a better price if buy in bulk let me know if anyone wants one and i will coordinate it. cheers Tony

What size ones? There are more than one.

The red one is suitable for winching as it is a starting type battery but won't preform for as long as a yellow The red's have a 3 yr wararnty vs yellow's 2 yr as well.

[moonhopper]

Just to let everyone know i have priced the orbital red top and can get them for $356 + gst and the yellow top at $456 + gst
might get a better price if buy in bulk let me know if anyone wants one and i will coordinate it. cheers Tony

Be careful, Orbital redtop is different from Orbital bluetop (34DC-48). I believe redtop is not recommended for winch use. But otherwise its a good battery.

cheers I will ask on Monday for the price on the blue top as well

[Windsock]

Shyte this is getting confusing now .

By my info http://www.exide.co.nz/products/orbital.php?emailtime=8ecdb210c3280339f903c75f43e1c593 Exide only make one Orbital battery and its a blue one. Correction would be appreciated if diofferent from web page.

Optima however make several sizes of three distinct types, SLI (Red), SLI/Deep cycle (yellow), and Deep cycle (Blue). I am interested in the SLI/Deep cycle dual purpose hybrid type of either make...

Moonhopper, what ones can you get the price on?

[moonhopper]

Shyte this is getting confusing now .

By my info http://www.exide.co.nz/products/orbital.php?emailtime=8ecdb210c3280339f903c75f43e1c593 Exide only make one Orbital battery and its a blue one. Correction would be appreciated if diofferent from web page.

Optima however make several sizes of three distinct types, SLI (Red), SLI/Deep cycle (yellow), and Deep cycle (Blue). I am interested in the SLI/Deep cycle dual purpose hybrid type of either make...

Moonhopper, what ones can you get the price on?

can get prices on all there range, i will talk to my mate and get costs on the optima red, yellow, and blue tops will let you know on Tuesday when i'm back at work as i only see him at lunchtimes when he calls past.

[TJ]

Just to let everyone know i have priced the orbital red top and can get them for $356 + gst and the yellow top at $456 + gst
might get a better price if buy in bulk let me know if anyone wants one and i will coordinate it. cheers Tony

What size ones? There are more than one.

The red one is suitable for winching as it is a starting type battery but won't preform for as long as a yellow The red's have a 3 yr wararnty vs yellow's 2 yr as well.

You are talking about Optimas, there colour scheme is different from Orbitals for the same purpose battery.

[TJ]

By my info http://www.exide.co.nz/products/orbital.php?emailtime=8ecdb210c3280339f903c75f43e1c593 Exide only make one Orbital battery and its a blue one. Correction would be appreciated if diofferent from web page.

For NZ market, yes. Otherwise Orbitals come in black as well!!! I have the blue one from Exide (Orbital).

[Windsock]

By my info http://www.exide.co.nz/products/orbital.php?emailtime=8ecdb210c3280339f903c75f43e1c593 Exide only make one Orbital battery and its a blue one. Correction would be appreciated if diofferent from web page.

For NZ market, yes. Otherwise Orbitals come in black as well!!! I have the blue one from Exide (Orbital).

OK, cheers for that. Was wondering where all the different colours were coming into it. The Orbital I've seen is blue and yet I've seen some on Exide International website of black. Orbital Extreme or something.

[Jafa]

Racer-direct have optima's
Yellow - $400 + gst (Deep cycle)
http://www.racerdirect.co.nz/size.asp?id=42339920
Red - $354.67 + gst (starting)
http://www.racerdirect.co.nz/size.asp?id=42339918

ps thats a shit of a website, works ok with IE, but not so well with firefox

[moonhopper]

Racer-direct have optima's
Yellow - $400 + gst (Deep cycle)
http://www.racerdirect.co.nz/size.asp?id=42339920
Red - $354.67 + gst (starting)
http://www.racerdirect.co.nz/size.asp?id=42339918

might have to buy of them

[Windsock]

Racer-direct have optima's
Yellow - $400 + gst (Deep cycle)
http://www.racerdirect.co.nz/size.asp?id=42339920
Red - $354.67 + gst (starting)
http://www.racerdirect.co.nz/size.asp?id=42339918

might have to buy of them

It was at their Palmerston North dealer on Tremaine Ave that I got quoted $665. Can't remember now whether it is Pro-parts or Pioneer Autoparts, first one I think... Maybe their online shop is $400+GST but their dealerships price wasn't that otherwise I'd have bought one there and then.

[DaveM]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 766990.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 906419.htm