1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

New Optima 12v Yellow Top D51 battery with Pencil Posts

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Joemontx, Sep 20, 2011.

  1. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2009
    924
    123
    11
    Location:
    GA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    Yeah I wasn't saying to get red tops, just stating that Optima makes a great battery whos performance far exceeds their price.
     
  2. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    873
    194
    0
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I did as well, but it was not listed (at least for me) as shipping, but rather estimated shipping & handling so I figure it is just the way that their web site handles it and that when they finalize the order it will be 0'd out per the offer - or perhaps the $2.90 is the handling portion - either way not the end of the world.

     
  3. mynameisjim

    mynameisjim Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2011
    16
    0
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Also for me, listed as:

    Shipping & Handling:
    USD$ 2.90
     
  4. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    2,994
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Thanks, just ordered one for my 06.
     
  5. OptimaJim

    OptimaJim Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2010
    74
    80
    0
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello, I noticed your conversation regarding our batteries and wanted to offer some assistance. hill, Prius owners have been on our radar for quite some time. Unfortunately, developing and testing new products does take time and we tend to be fairly conservative in how we go about doing that, rather than rushing an unproven product to market.

    I would encourage anyone considering an online purchase to review the following information:

    Any retailer from which you purchase a new Optima should provide warranty service for you, for the full duration of your warranty. However, there are some online retailers that do not. We strongly recommend that you find out the warranty procedures before making a purchase. If the seller’s procedure is to contact the manufacturer or if they do not provide a customer service phone number that they answer (not the Optima batteries customer service number) we recommend looking elsewhere.

    For same-day purchases and service we recommend visiting your nearest Optima retailer, as online purchases can take multiple days to arrive. Likewise, in the event that product support service is needed, online purchases must be shipped back to the original seller and can take several days to be processed and returned.

    OPTIMA-authorized online retailer requirements:
    • Ship Optima products in approved shipment packaging
    • Answer a toll-free service phone number during business hours
    • Adhere to and honor the Optima factory warranty policy
    • Provide an in-house warranty program

    SmogSlide, I have no information on if or when this battery will be rolled out in other markets, but this typically happens when distributors determine whether there is enough demand for a specific product, to place an order. stevemcelroy is correct regarding the 15% discount currently being offered through our Facebook page. Even though that will end at the end of this month, we also have promotions for citizens in our PowerPack Nation that pop up from time to time.

    seilerts, stevemcelroy & mynameisjim (and anyone else who was charged $2.90 shipping), the shipping charges were the result of a computer error on our end and should have been corrected. If you have not been refunded that amount, please send me a PM with your contact information, so we can look into your order further.

    JeffD is correct regarding our RedTop batteries being designed for starting applications and our YellowTops being designed for starting or deep-cycle applications (I wish that information was repeated more often on 4x4 forums). If anyone has any questions about our batteries, I'll do my best to answer them


    Jim McIlvaine
    eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
    OPTIMA Battery Power Pack Nation
     
    13 people like this.
  6. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    2,994
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    My order detail now show up with $0.00 for shipping. The credit card transaction has not shown the transaction so I do not know if it has been corrected. I will know soon.

    The battery got shipped within a few hours after I ordered. I will get it on the 28th.
     
  7. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2003
    7,093
    2,101
    1,174
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I just wanted to jump in here and thank Optima for sponsoring PriusChat over the next 30 days or so. It's already been said in this thread, but they have a great product and we are proud to partner with them to get the word out.
     
    3 people like this.
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    2,994
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Confirmed. Only $169.99 was charged. Great deal with free shipping.

    18% more capacity than my OEM battery that came with my Prius with Smart Key System and it has 3 years warranty.

    [​IMG]
     
    1 person likes this.
  9. drew_flux

    drew_flux Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2009
    73
    22
    0
    Location:
    sydney australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    a new out of the box without charging toyota sks battery will go well above 560 cca on a midtronics tester. although its recomended not to test by cca procedure. i would still buy a optima over a stock battery. when i needed one last year, i just couldnt get one on this side of the world. had to buy stock or resort to carrying the booster pack around.
     
  10. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    2,994
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I just got mine delivered.
     
  11. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    1,326
    24
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Shippable to Canada?
     
  12. derkraut

    derkraut Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2006
    299
    27
    0
    Location:
    SAN
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I just ordered one for my 2006. After 5= years, my present battery is still holding a steady 12-12.5V. But it's nice to have the new one ready. Guess I may wait a while to install, wsince the Yellow-top has a long shelf life.
     
  13. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    873
    194
    0
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Just to chime back in- I received mine a few days ago and just installed it. The install was easy as pie - reading online I figured it would take 30-40 minutes and it was closer to 30. I had just one issue - after getting everything installed and testing it out I went to put everything back in the car. The small piece of floorcover that goes on top of the battery would not fit back in - it was about 1/2 an inch too high. After a bit of poking around I figured out it was the lifting strap on the battery and no matter how I moved it I just could not get it to fit. I wound up cutting the strap and folding the ends back so I still had something to grip onto when pulling it out. The strap on the Optima is a really nice and thick plastic with molded finger grooves, but it is just too thick. Had I known before hand I would have properly removed it and tried to fashion something else.

    OptimaJim - The handle is a nice touch and I'm sure that it costs a buck or two to add, but it might be worthwhile to scrap it on the Prius battery and go with a fabric strap like on the OEM battery.
     
    2 people like this.
  14. duffasaurus

    duffasaurus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2007
    177
    38
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I also installed the same battery a few days ago & encountered the issue with the lifting strap. I passed the top mounting bracket under the strap & then tightened it down. Problem solved!
     
    2 people like this.
  15. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    2,994
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I ran into the same problem. I tried to move the strap to the side. After trial and error, I finally got it installed correctly.

    OEM battery is 27.5 lbs.
    [​IMG]

    Optima is 26 lbs so it is 1.5 lbs lighter.
    [​IMG]

    The side vent to connect the hose. OEM battery has a vent at the same location.
    [​IMG]

    The wrong way to move the strap. It blocks the HV battery vent so DON'T do it this way.
    [​IMG]

    This is the correct way to install. Notice the side the strap is pushed toward. HV battery vent is installed without any issue. If you are wondering, the extra red wire from the + post goes to my subwoofer.
    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

    6 people like this.
  16. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    873
    194
    0
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Never thought of running the strap around the back of the battery - I put it back in the same way that the OEM battery was and by the time I noticed the problem the vent was back in place - seeing how you did it was a bit of a duhh moment for me.
     
  17. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,679
    8,072
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    Premium
    With an OEM that's about 5 years old, I'll bet you're not measuring that 12V while under load . . . . if so, that's good. If not? ...
    :boom:

    .
     
  18. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    The difference between 12.0V and 12.5V is like night and day, 40% SoC vs. 80% SoC.

    If you don't install the Optima right away, put it on a charger once/month. But there is no sense in waiting to install it, since the warranty clock is already ticking.
     
    1 person likes this.
  19. OptimaJim

    OptimaJim Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2010
    74
    80
    0
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Presto, we are working on shipping options for Canadian customers. I know they didn't activitate it initially, because of the cost, but they are currently working through customs and logistical issues right now and should have the option available in the near future.

    Steve, I did forward your feedback to our product development group. They appreciated your feedback and wanted me to point out that our handles are designed to be easily slipped in and out of their tracks for installation or removal.


    Jim McIlvaine
    eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
    www.facebook.com/optimabatteries
     
    4 people like this.
  20. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    873
    194
    0
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks - it all makes sense - I guess that I should have taken a better look at it all before getting everything in the car and strapped in. I simply looked at how the OEM battery was installed and then copied it.