My CRD Sahara Unlimited melted the factory Optima Yellow top after 900 miles. The dealer replaced it but doen't know why it happened. I've been monitoring the battery voltage since and when it's been running for a while I get 15.15 volts. The Optima website gives a max charging voltage of 15v. This concerns me. Any other CRD owners had a problem like this?

 

I'm going to assume your not in the US?

Does it really use a yellow top factory?

send some pics of it melted!

 

I would think that it is would be caused by a faulty voltage regulator or alternator. Something is allowing too much power back to the battery. This could possibly cause problems with your other electronics if it is not corrected.

 

Sorry to hear of your problems with the battery. That really sounds like a reflection of your charging system. Batterys will accept more charge the hotter they get and 15 volts is really to high for continued use. Most all maintenance free batterys, (those you do not pull the caps off of and put water in) are best served when charged at a rate of between 13.8 and 14.2 volts. Above that and batterys can get hot and start accepting all of the currect the alternator can throw at it. Then it cooks it like you had occur.

 

I may be wrong, but I think I remember someone posting a while back about an Optima BlueTop frying in his Jeep. I think he actually fried 2 of them. You might want to try and find that post and see if any additional info is in it.

Wasn't a CRD.... but it may help.