Also got mine from Costco, much cheaper than other places. Did not know that about the aux posts, Thanks.

 

I've had the yellow top in my jeep for over a year now without any problems - that's what we used to run the projector for the trail videos in camp at Anza-Borrego last year!

 

i did that exact thing!!!! get it from costco it is cheaper there!!

 

So is everybody running the D34/78? I know some have the D75/25. Just curious what most of you have.

Another thing I heard about the Optima's is that if for some reason you run 'em dead by accident, (say you leave something on all night out on the trail), they are a bear to get jump started and they wont charge up by just running them a while. They pretty much have to be on the charger for like 24hours. Anybody experience that?

 

Did not read the whole thread but I must say that i have always been a big fan of Odyssey battery They have better warranty and more power compare to Optima. However, they are more expensive than the Optima. Overall I think its well worth it for paying the extra.

 

My yellow top runs all my accessories trouble free. I have heard they are hard to charge once draoned but I have used it to power lights and music for long periods of time with no hesitation at start up.

 

Can't speak for any Optima in our JK as the stock battery is only 2 years old this Oct, and is still in good condition. The only thing I've added as far as lighting is a set of PIAA 520's, and the stock battery has no problem powering them. As for Optima Batteries, I think they are great. Bought a 94XJ back in 94 and started the modification process in early 96. In addition to 6 IPF's, 2 driving lights on the ARB bumper and 4 on the roofrack, I run a 450W Rockford Fosgate for the speakers and a 300W for the sub. Needed a good battery for power and the Optima Red Top (34/78) did the job nicely for the next 8 years, and that included a number of times I've used the winch. In 2004 I purchased a new Red Top, again a 34/78, and it's still going strong today. Remember one year at Camp Jeep, when I used the lights without the engine running one night to provide lighting for a jeeper I met that had to replace his waterpump. Took about 45 min, and after that, the XJ started right up. The next morning we had no problem getting started.
As for the Yellow and Blue Tops, I'm sure they're both good batteries, however I chose the Red Top, as my main usage is a starting battery, and that's what the Red Top is. The group 34/78 Yellow provides 870 CCA at 32* with a 120 reserve but only carries a 12 month warranty with battery management and only 1 month without management. The Blue provides 1000 CCA at 32* with a 100 reserve, but again only carries the 12/1 month warranty. Both these batteries although they can be used as starting battries are primarily deep cycle batteries.
The Red Top 34/78 provides 1000 CCA at 32* with a 100 reserve, and carries a 36 month warranty.
Although the Red Top 75/25 has 90 CCA, and 10 reserve amps less then the 34/78, and would have no problem maintaining a great power source for the JK with a few aux lights and a nice sound system, it doesn't have both top and side terminals like the 34/78 which is what I'll get when i need to replace the factory battery.

 

It should be noted that the time period of the warranty you specified for the Yellowtop is only if you use them in series...if you just use a single battery (like most people do) you have a 24 month warranty (12 mo full replacement, 12 mo pro-rated). For the blue top there is a 36 month warranty (18 mo full replacement, 18 mo pro-rated). The red top carries a 72 month warranty (36 mo full replacement, 36 mo pro-rated).

http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_edge/warranty.php

 

I actually have left my lights on all night (in the garage when it was still pretty new and I forgot that they didn't shut off by themselves like they do on my car) with my gps still on in the power outlet and it didn't seem to affect the battery at all the next day, so it would take a lot more than that to drain it. I've also had the inverter pulling juice all night without a problem (should I not do that?). How much more would you accidentally leave on overnight when you're out on the trail, or anywhere else for that matter? Maybe I take it for granted.

So, no experience trying to jump or charge one, but I've probably just jinxed myself and you can find out how hard it is by coming on the next run with us.

 

you can jump them easily, no big deal.

i just had to jump start my TJ today...