I need a new battery, the car came at 500cca Interstate and I want more amps. I have looked at the Interstate Optima "red top"... What experience have you had with this battery? :confused:

I have not had good luck with Interstate batteries in the past and some of my Interstate marine batteries leaked. I know the Optima is supposed to be a sealed gel type, so that should eliminate leaking, right?

Tom,

I have the Optima red top and have been very pleased. I bought it for the looks. It is mounted in my trunk and looks great with the DS&E chrome battery clamp. I live in the bay area so I never have extreme starting condtions so I cannot really tell you how reliable it is under harsh conditions but I does look nicer than a regular battery.

bob spears

Red Top Battery-->; I have 3 pallets of these batteries in my warehouse that we issue out to the military vehicles. Only ones we us and the cars/trucks that they go into get driven an average of 18 hours a day with the exception of the Police vehicles wich are driven almost non stop. We have had no complaints from them at all. Again like Bob points out though we dont have the cold weather like you would in S.D.

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The major misconception most people have with lead-acid batteries leaking is when they check the fluid level in the battery during routine maintenance they are under the impression that if the fluid level is below the opening of the cap the battery needs distilled water.In fact as long as the tops of the plates are covered with fluid the level is fine.over filling can result in leakage around the caps.but you can also experience leakage if the charging system is malfunctioning(i.e.overcharging). now as far as the optima goes it is a fine choice it is hassel free as far as maintenance goes. It is also beneficial in the respect that if the vehicle is going to be stored for long periods of time. the average lead-acid battery will lose its state of charge over a period of 90 days .therefore you would need a automatic trickle charger. with the optima battery it will maintain it's state of charge for as long as if i recall approx 200 days. hope this info helps (i'm a former route sales mgr. for interstate so i apologize for my rambling on) good luck! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Just bought mine 2 months ago. Too early to tell how good it is because it is new. I did start the car when it was - 25C a few weeks back to see if it would turn over, no problem. It started as if it were the middle of June. Have since started the car with no issues. Looks good too. It gets cold up here so I hope it stands up.
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Tom,
I too was wondering if the Optima's was worth it.
I have my battery in the trunk and the 650cca battery I moved from the front to the rear hardly turned it over.

I put in the red-top Optima, and it spins the motor easily.
I would definitely use them again.

I got mine on e-bay (from "highrollerts"). Transaction went well

Dennis