Optima

Optima Batteries, by Johnson Controls (the world’s largest battery manufacturers) have been pioneers of automotive battery technology for over four decades - it started in the 1970s with the introduction of a maintenance-free lead acid battery for commercial and military use and soon followed by what has become their specialty, the revolutionary AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) high-performance battery. Ultimately, Optima's technological advancements in battery development have resulted in their unique 'Spiralcell' technology, creating the ultimate power source for all situations that demand a high-performance battery with strong resistance to harsh operating conditions such as high vibration and high temperature environments.

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Optima Batteries, by Johnson Controls (the world’s largest battery manufacturers) have been pioneers of automotive battery technology for over four decades - it started in the 1970s with the introduction of a maintenance-free lead acid battery for commercial and military use and soon followed by what has become their specialty, the revolutionary AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) high-performance battery. Ultimately, Optima's technological advancements in battery development have resulted in their unique 'Spiralcell' technology, creating the ultimate power source for all situations that demand a high-performance battery with strong resistance to harsh operating conditions such as high vibration and high temperature environments.

Optima Batteries, by Johnson Controls (the world’s largest battery manufacturers) have been pioneers of automotive battery technology for over four decades - it started in the 1970s with the introduction of a maintenance-free lead acid battery for commercial and military use and soon followed by what has become their specialty, the revolutionary AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) high-performance battery. Ultimately, Optima's technological advancements in battery development have resulted in their unique 'Spiralcell' technology, creating the ultimate power source for all situations that demand a high-performance battery with strong resistance to harsh operating conditions such as high vibration and high temperature environments. Read More

Optima Batteries, by Johnson Controls (the world’s largest battery manufacturers) have been pioneers of automotive battery technology for over four decades - it started in the 1970s with the introduction of a maintenance-free lead acid battery for commercial Read More

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    1. Sale
      Optima Battery H6 Yellow Top Deep Cycle Battery 12v 800 CCA 72 AH
      Optima Battery H6 Yellow Top Deep Cycle Battery 12v 800 CCA 72 AH
      Regular Price $843.00 Special Price $550.20
      You Save $292.80 off RRP
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      Optima D51R Yellow Top 12 Volt Battery
      Optima Battery D51RT2 Yellow Top Deep Cycle 12V AGM 450 CCA
      Regular Price $359.00 Special Price $324.00
      You Save 10% off RRP
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      Optima Battery 34 Red Top High Performance Start 12V AGM 800 CCA
      Optima Battery 34 Red Top High Performance Start 12V AGM 800 CCA
      Regular Price $416.00 Special Price $377.00
      You Save 9% off RRP
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      Optima 34R Red Top 12 Volt Battery
      Optima Battery 34R Red Top High Performance Start 12V AGM 800 CCA
      Regular Price $416.00 Special Price $377.00
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      Optima 34/78 Red Top 12 Volt Battery
      Optima Battery 34/78 Red Top High Performance Start 12V AGM 800 CCA
      Regular Price $430.00 Special Price $357.00
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      Optima D34/78 Yellow Top 12 Volt Battery
      Optima Battery D34/78 Yellow Top Deep Cycle 12V AGM 750 CCA
      Regular Price $525.00 Special Price $477.00
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      Optima D34 Yellow Top 12 Volt Battery
      Optima Battery D34 Yellow Top Deep Cycle 12V AGM 750 CCA
      Regular Price $578.00 Special Price $511.00
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      Optima D31T Yellow Top 12 Volt Battery
      Optima Battery D31T Yellow Top Deep Cycle 12V AGM 975 CCA
      Regular Price $592.00 Special Price $529.00
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      Optima 34M Blue Top 12 Volt Battery
      Optima Battery 34M Blue Top Marine Boat Caravan 12V AGM 815 CCA
      Regular Price $437.00 Special Price $433.00
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      Optima D27F Yellow Top 12 Volt Battery
      Optima Battery D27F Yellow Top Deep Cycle 12V AGM 845 CCA
      Regular Price $653.00 Special Price $545.00
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      Optima D51 Yellow Top 12 Volt Battery
      Optima Battery D51T2 Yellow Top Deep Cycle 12V AGM 450 CCA
      Regular Price $359.00 Special Price $324.00
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      Optima D34M Blue Top 12 Volt Battery
      Optima Battery D34M Blue Top Marine Boat Caravan 12V AGM 765 CCA
      Regular Price $655.00 Special Price $511.00
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    What to look for when purchasing a set of jumper cables for my vehicle? How do I tell the difference between low quality and high-performance jumper cables?

    While they may seem like little more than a pair of cables with alligator clips at each end, there is a bit to know when purchasing a set of your own to throw in the back of your vehicle. First of all, the quality of the conductors and insulators used in the cables have a huge impact on the performance, longevity and cost of the jumpers, with the cheapest options mostly constructed with aluminium conductors insulated with PVC sheaths. While aluminium can be fine if sized correctly, aluminium is more brittle, and also has a reduced current carrying capacity, when compared to conventional copper conductors. PVC is also less than ideal and, while quite hard wearing it offers little resistance to high temperatures. This can make working with PVC cables a bit of a challenge. At the other end of the quality spectrum you’ll find high quality oxygen free copper conductors wrapped in dual layer insulators consisting of hardwearing PVC wrapped in flexible, abrasion resistant, chemically and UV stable nitrile. Jumper cables made using pure copper insulators and high quality double insulated nitrile sheaths are not cheap, but can provide a lifetime of service provided they are looked after.

    Other materials to look out for are aluminium coated copper conductors, which offer excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Copper clad aluminium on the other hand is markedly inferior in almost every measure with the exception of cost, and is best avoided if you’d like to be able to rely on your jumper cables when the time comes to use them. Silicon rubber is also a common insulator type, which is wonderfully flexible however offers little mechanical protection for the conductors, which means they are easily pierced or torn if treated poorly or exposed to rugged conditions.

    If you are familiar with the look and feel of PVC verses silicon and nitrile then a physical inspection should be able to tell you what insulator is used. As for the conductors, copper is substantially heavier than aluminium, so the weight of the cable is the best indicator of what is inside.

    What are the different types of jumper cables? What are the differences between car jumper cables and heavy-duty jumper cables for trucks?

    Most jumper cables consist of a pair of conductors just long enough to bridge the gap between two vehicles when parked nose to nose, terminated on each end by pairs of large alligator clips. Short jumper cables start at a length of approximately 2.5-metres, which is basically the minimum length required to bridge the distance between the batteries in two vehicle. Longer lengths are available, allowing greater flexibility in bridging gaps between the stranded and jumper vehicle. Grabbing longer jumper cables is highly advisable for this reason, especially if yours is an offroad vehicle or a mid-engine vehicle like a work van, however they must necessarily be markedly larger in capacity due to the compounding effect of inline resistance as the cable gets longer. Longer jumper cables capable of transferring the same amount of power as a shorter set will inevitably have a larger cross sectional area, and cost significantly more, due to the increased size of the conductors.

    In terms of sizing, how much current you need to start your vehicle largely depends on the the size of the vehicle and the type of engine, but there is a few rough rules of thumb that can be applied. If you have a small to medium sized compact petrol-driven passenger vehicle then you are probably going to be fine using a set of jumper cables rated for 200-Amps of current flow. Medium to large sized petrol-driven passenger vehicles will likely need no more than 400-Amps worth of current capacity. Larger vehicles like pushrod V8s and diesel driven vehicles like dual cabs, 4WDs and light commercial trucks can need 600A plus. Check the current rating of thejumper cables you select prior to purchase to ensure you select a solution that meets the minimum requirements you need for your particular vehicle.

    What are the alternatives?

    With the advent of lithium battery technology and the proliferation of modern, lithium battery based portable jump starters, you could be forgiven for thinking you may no longer need to carry a  good set of jumper leads. Jump starters can however deteriorate over time, or fail outright, so even if you have a modern jump starter pack it is highly advisable to keep a set of jumper leads in your vehicle for situations where your jump starter pack doesn’t cut the mustard.

    While not a replacement for a trusty set of jumper leads, you should always have a decent battery charger on hand. This is beneficial for several reasons. First of all, a battery charger will help you ensure your battery is returned to a full state of charge after needing a jump, especially if you aren’t gonna be running the vehicle for a long enough period following the jump to fully recharge it. More importantly, a battery charger can be placed on your circuit racer, 4WD, boat, motorhome or other recreational vehicle when left to sit for an extended period, in order to prevent it from needing a jump in the first place.

    How do I use your jumper cables to jump start my car or truck?

    When jump starting one vehicle with another, there are a few things you can do to minimise the risk of something going wrong. The first thing to do is get the batteries in each vehicle as close together as you can. This usually involves parking nose to nose, as each battery will usually be located in the engine bay. If the battery is on the left side of one vehicle and the right side of the other, it may also be suitable to park the vehicles with the front quarter panels overlapping. Ensure you do not allow the two vehicles to touch, as they must be electrically isolated from each other in order to avoid damage to the sensitive electronics in each vehicles. Once you have the two vehicles positioned, join the positive posts of each vehicle together using the red jumper cable, starting with the vehicle to be jumped, followed by the vehicle which will be doing the jumping. Double, and triple, check your connections prior to attachment in order to avoid any risk of damage. Next attach the black jumper cable to the negative battery post of the jumping vehicle, then attach the other end of the black jumper cable to a solid grounding point on the vehicle to be jump stated. Some modern vehicles will have a designated point to which you should attach the negative jumper lead, otherwise any quality grounding location should do the job. Do not connect the negative jumper lead directly to the negative post of the battery to be jumped, as this will likely result in a hefty spark that can give you a fright, can damage the battery terminal and can even lead to an explosion in the right conditions. If you vehicle doesn’t have a designated grounding point for attachment of jumper cables then look for a clean and unpainted bolt or similar metal point you can attach the alligator clip to. A shock absorber mounting point is often a good option, if a better one cannot be found. Check to make sure the cables are routed in such a way they do not obstruct any moving parts like the engine belts or thermofan. Next start the jumping vehicle, and leave it running for several minutes.

    Why Buy Optima

    Optima batteries are the only choice amongst enthusiasts who want to add more power reserves to their electrical systems. With their proprietary 'Spiralcell' technology, Optima batteries are greater than 15 times more vibration-resistant and provide up to three times the life of a traditional battery. By constructing the internal battery grids of 99.99% pure lead in a series of individual spiral-wound cells, it's that purity of the lead which provides lower internal resistance for additional cranking power and quicker recharging, along with corrosion resistance for longer life and reduced self-discharge when not being used. As part of the 'Spiralcell' design, Optima's tightly coiled Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) separators between each cylindrical cell hold the electrolyte fluid like a sponge to eliminate acid spilling, meaning each maintenance-free Optima battery is also completely sealed preventing corrosion and acid spills.

    Optima's Range

    Available in several different specific sizes and capacities, Optima batteries come in three main models: Red, Yellow, and Blue, identified primarily by the requisite top colour of the battery and then further by whether it has a light or dark grey case.

    Red Top

    Featuring a red top and a black case, the Red Top is purely suited to conventional starting applications in standard passenger vehicles, performance vehicles, heavy industrial equipment or diesel-powered vehicles where the electrical system isn't substantially altered from standard, and where power systems loads are not present until the engine, thus alternator is able to carry the electrical load instead of the battery.

    Yellow Top

    For vehicles with significantly altered electrical loads that could potentially exceed the alternator output, such as those with large aftermarket stereo installs, for example, or racing vehicles without a charging system, an Optima Yellow Top dual purpose battery is the ideal choice. Optima Yellow Tops all have a light grey case with a yellow top, signifying that they are intended for dual-purpose use where both deep-cycle AND starting power is required.

    Blue Top

    If you require an Optima battery for marine or leisure use for something like a boat, caravan or camper trailer, Optima Blue Top is the ideal option. The Blue Top with the grey case is effectively the same as a Yellow Top on the inside however integrates a second set of screw down terminals for simple and convenient attachment of auxiliary loads. The Blue Top with the black case is effectively like a Red Top on the inside thus is intended for use in applications where only starting power is required, such as the primary starting in a 4WD dual battery system or as a dedicated starting battery for a wake/ski boat where a separate deep cycle battery has been integrated for powering auxiliary loads.

    No matter what your application, Optima have a battery to suit. Let Automotive Superstore help you power ahead with Optima batteries today!