H3 Optima yellow top

[sonicstage]

Hello all quick question I know some of you guys run dual battery in the hummers I will be doing that process this weekend before it rains out and I love optima batteries I currently have a red top in there but I wanted a yellow top for my aux battery to run lights stereo winch and TV
Does anyone have a yellow top in their rigs? If so how does it match up to other batteries like an AC Delco? Thank you in advance


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[JPaul]

I used to have one, never in the Hummer though. Bought it back in 2006 and it went through 4 vehicles before I finally let it go with the last one (which I regret doing, I should have just bought another battery and kept the Optima). However, I'm reluctant to buy another Optima due to the numerous complaints I've seen about the newer manufacture ones, supposedly the quality went downhill after production was moved to Mexico or wherever.

Plus, you just cannot get the same power density in an Optima as you can with an Odyssey or Northstar, the Optima has wasted space due to the spiral design, whereas the flat plates in the Odyssey and Northstar batteries uses all the available space in the same package size, so you'll get a bit more amp hours in those than the Optima's.

For a starter battery it's not a big deal, but when you're going to be relying on the aux battery for running electronics/electrical and winching, you're going to want as much charge capacity as possible.

 

[Kyle]

Idk about running two different batteries(as far as cranking amps etc,) but I ended up buying a walmart battery for my rig as its made by Johnson Controls who also makes optima. Didnt see the point in spending so much for almost the same thing

 

[GreatDaneHummer]

Optima, Odyssey or Northstar etc are all pretty over kill in a dual setup for any H3.. I have 2 Yellow Optima batteries and ran all my light bars, a fridge and off/on air compressor for airing up sleeping pads during camping with the truck off all night without any issue starting my truck the next day. I think you would be very happy with any dual battery setup even a pair of OEM ones.

I used to have one, never in the Hummer though. Bought it back in 2006 and it went through 4 vehicles before I finally let it go with the last one (which I regret doing, I should have just bought another battery and kept the Optima). However, I'm reluctant to buy another Optima due to the numerous complaints I've seen about the newer manufacture ones, supposedly the quality went downhill after production was moved to Mexico or wherever.

Plus, you just cannot get the same power density in an Optima as you can with an Odyssey or Northstar, the Optima has wasted space due to the spiral design, whereas the flat plates in the Odyssey and Northstar batteries uses all the available space in the same package size, so you'll get a bit more amp hours in those than the Optima's.

For a starter battery it's not a big deal, but when you're going to be relying on the aux battery for running electronics/electrical and winching, you're going to want as much charge capacity as possible.

 

[rascole]

I have 2 yellow tops in for several years and several week long trips with heavy loads on the batteries. I have not had any issues or complaints. As far as over kill goes, why? AGM or Gel over wet plates in a 4x4 is a must. Have you ever seen what a busted OEM battery can do to an engine compartment when it ruptures? Lots and lots of electrical gremlins will haunt you. Besides in the long run what's a couple hundred bucks when you own a Hummer.

 

[sonicstage]

I have 2 yellow tops in for several years and several week long trips with heavy loads on the batteries. I have not had any issues or complaints. As far as over kill goes, why? AGM or Gel over wet plates in a 4x4 is a must. Have you ever seen what a busted OEM battery can do to an engine compartment when it ruptures? Lots and lots of electrical gremlins will haunt you. Besides in the long run what's a couple hundred bucks when you own a Hummer.

I need to have the same batteries in there so I need to get another ac delco as my auxiliary, thank you for the advice


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[lsv_palana]

I have nost big yellow top optima 75ah. Super battery.. i have 2 winch on my car and they works fine with yellow top optima.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I have dual yellow tops in my FJ40, they work excellent.

 

[sonicstage]

I need some help here it looks like I have to set up my dual battery separately, there isn't enough room to have both batteries on the same side right next to each other, has anyone bee heard or have done a dual battery job where the batteries are on opposite sides of the truck? Meaning, the one battery is on the driver side of the engine compartment and the other battery is on the passenger side of the engine compartment, kinda stuck because I need to buy a cold air intake so the secondary battery can fit on the passenger side, has anyone who has done a dual battery set up experience the same problems? Or is there a way to install both batteries right next to each other
Thank you!


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[rascole]

Here is a picture from the install thread I did 3 years ago.

 

[sonicstage]

Here is a picture from the install thread I did 3 years ago.

How did the install go for you? Did you have any trouble with space for two batts? That's the problem I'm having now I can't fit two batts on that side for some reason


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[rascole]

Click the link to the thread.

 

[sonicstage]

Click the link to the thread.

This is amazing so the battery tray and brackets only fit optima batteries or can it fit other brands of batteries?

The 6 and final step was my favorite

Sam Adams is some great beer!


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[JPaul]

Should be able to fit any group 34 battery, that tray is just designed around the Optima's, but the critical dimensions match regular group 34 batteries.