legacycentral bbs

Okay, I recently replaced my dead battery with an Optima Red Top. I've noticed that since I've done this, the car will not start 98% of the time on the first turn of the key. If fact, it doesn't do anything. It takes about two or three turns of the key to get the engine to turn over and start. What's worst is I noticed that when it's cold out, it won't start at all until I turn on the radio for 30 seconds or so. Can someone help me with this? Has anyone else experienced this when going to the Red Top. Also, my hesitation has returned in all it's glory.

It's probably the starter solenoid contacts.

I was wondering if the starter is going bad. Should I go ahead and have it replaced? How hard a job is it to do myself. I'm not one who can pull an engine but I have replaced the altenator before. Should I take on this project?

20 min job. It's on the driver's side back of the engine, near the top. Two bolts to mount it and the leads.

Optima red top probably puts out less amps ... what's the advantage of these batteries? Size & weight? 'Cause that would make sense.

Steve

I never really understood why people get the red top. It's meant for applications where you have a need for much larger starting amperage requirements.....aka big blocks with high compression.

On our cars.....I don't see any real benefit. I'd take a yellow top any day over a red top.

Higher amperage?! Maybe it was too much for an old starter? Subarus really don't need much to kick over. Never had a battery last less than 12 years in them (replaced OEMs on all 3 cars) and they nearly always start on the first crank or near to it.

Steve

Josh, I wanted the yellow top but I had a better chance of striking oil in my backyard than finding one locally. Every store I went to didn't even have them in stock anywhere. They were all on backorder with no expectation date. I also needed my car ASAP to get back and forth. Maybe the amps were too much for the starter but the weird thing is, I just drove the car with absolutely no problems at all. It started every single time on the first turn of the key. The colder temps seem to cause my problem. Any ideas?

the difference between the red top and the yellow top is that although the yellow top has a higher "cold cranking amps" (not by much), the red top is better suited for a car with a serious audio system becaue it "accepts" a charge easier than a yellow top. I have a red top (not currently in the car) and I never had a problem with it unless I let the car sit for more than a few weeks and then it would die down a little but as soon as you drove it it would be ok again. hope this helps, if you dont have a bunch of amps in your car trade it in for a yellow top.

I have a 350 watt mono amp in my car. I was planning on adding another but with all the trouble I've been having lately with my car, I'm giving serious consideration to scrapping it. Anyone have an 05-06 LGT? How are they so far...any serious issues. I may get one in the not too near future to replace my LSi.

Steve,

I've had my yellow top since 2000 or so I think.


Mike,

Everything I've read/heard/seen in show cars, etc, says the yellow top is better for big stereo systems.

Legacy777 wrote: Mike,

Everything I've read/heard/seen in show cars, etc, says the yellow top is better for big stereo systems.

That may be the opinion of everyone else. Based on the research I did at the time and the fact that I was working for a place that was an authorized dealer, I saw some information that lead me to believe that the red tops release and recharge faster than a yellow top. For the purposes of an audio system, I would think that would be better. Of course I dont have any data to back this up at the moment so I cant really prove it. The point I guess is that either a red or yellow top battery would not cause the car to hesitate or not start.

When you say release and recharge faster. Are you meaning they discharge faster, or allow current to be drawn from it faster?

magicmike wrote:
...red tops release and recharge faster than a yellow top.

That's because the red top is a standard battery, whereas the yellow top is a deep cycle battery, which takes longer to charge, but will also have a longer discharge time...

The local audio place runs all yellowtops, most guys with electric cars run yellow tops, so...

Yellow top Optimas FTW!!

I've got a yellow top.

I'll put one in the Forester when the battery goes on it.

Josh - What size did you use for your Legacy? IIRC they didn't make a direct-fit stock-location battery when I was buying mine in 04.

My yellow top is sitting in the stock location. I had to tweak it to the side just a bit to get it to fit, but it isn't moving.

-Ryan

BAC5.2 wrote:I've got a yellow top.

I'll put one in the Forester when the battery goes on it.

Josh - What size did you use for your Legacy? IIRC they didn't make a direct-fit stock-location battery when I was buying mine in 04.

I used the standard yellow top with dual posts. It is wider then the stock battery, and does not sit as high. I have a plastic tray underneath that was on my old battery. I also added 3 1/4" steel plates underneath to raise it up some more.

Other then that, the pos. cable had to be stretched slightly, but it's not a bad fit IMO. I can try and dig up the part # if you'd like.

Sometimes if the starter isn't turning you can get out and bang it with something and it should engage. I have that problem every so often and I'm too lazy to replace the starter until its completely out.

I had a 2,400 watt amp in my camaro with a yellow top...of course I did have a 3 farad capacitor..but the yellow top help up strong. My friend had an 800 watt amp and he had a red top...his lights blink and mine don't....yellow tops 4 life!

Josh - It should say on top of the battery right under the CCA rating which series battery it is. Might be a 35 or something.

I don't remember exactly what I have in the Legacy, I got the biggest burliest yellow top available at the time since it was going in the trunk. Haven't had any complaints yet . I'm satisfied with it. Legacy almost starts before I turn the key. Forester sits there and cranks for several turns then starts.

I have a D34/78-950

950 CA
750 CCA
65Ah C/20 12V
124 min reserve capacity

Sounds good. Thanks

FWIW, The EJ22 really only needs less than 200A to be able to start on the first shot.