kyoo

iTrader: (29)

Any thoughts on this? Optima Yellowtops seem to be the best fit in theory, but the quality seems to be hit or miss lately. I don't care about lightweight or even too much in the cold - just something that can handle the draw from my security system for as long as possible between starts.

*I drive the car about 1-2x a month for autox, and then not at all during the winter (which I just leave the batt disconnected during that time)

jakeleclair2000

Optima Yellow Top. 36 Months free replacement

From the website - The YELLOWTOP can repeatedly be brought back from deep power drains to full charge - making it ideal for your situation.

kyoo

iTrader: (29)

35? 51r?

i'm leaning towards the yellowtop, just not liking what i've been hearing about recent quality of optimas in general

sujinX

iTrader: (22)

... seriously? any regular battery will handle a tiny security system.
its the mini batts that have problems

kyoo

iTrader: (29)

so just go oe or like an advanced auto brand?

it's not a question of whether it will handle it or not - more of how long it can handle it. i dont daily drive the car - maybe drive it twice a month. and if a regular can handle it or yellowtop is overkill, could i go with a 51r (miata sized) and be okay with a twice a month start?

jakeleclair2000

It sounded like a serious question to me.

Current drain from a security system will be minimal sure, but if the car sits for more than a month, or is stored in a cold climate, then you could have issues.

Better safe than sorry. I know i like my car to start when i turn the key.

c max

i have a mini battery so when its gonna sit for a while i take off the battery terminal if its in a safe place or just buy a portable charger like i did and poof car starts. sometimes you have to improvise for long storage

jakeleclair2000

35D Yellowtop.

Going to a smaller battery is not what you want to do if the car is only driven once or twice a month.

Others may argue, but you're not saving any significant amount of weight going to a smaller battery, nor is there a significant cost savings.

Get the regular sized Yellowtop, worry less, and enjoy the car starting when you want it to.

kyoo

iTrader: (29)

that's what i'm leaning toward. hopefully optima's decline in quality has been exaggerated and the battery will last me a good while

c max

i went mini battery becasue i have the short uicp but any battery will drain after a period of time if its not cycled thats just the life of a battery. letting it sit for 10 months its gonna drain no matter what battery you have. your only other bet is to just start it every few days