I'm fixing to switch to an Optima when I install my winch. The question is, which one? The red has the most amps, the yellow is the deep cycle, and the marine is the "seasonal starter" and a deep cycle. The latter seems the best for me as the JK is going to have to sit for a few six-week breaks this fall while I eat snakes and dodge tracking dogs at Ft. Bragg. But aside from that, I don't really know what the differences are in performance. I am curious why the most expensive one only has a 24-month guarantee on it. Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks

 

For starters, the Red one is a starting battery only, and though is a much better battery than the stock one, it's not the best choice if you plan to use a winch. If used rarely, and for short periods, the red would probably be OK, but if you plan to do some serious winching, it will place a heavy drain/demand on your battery, and that is not good for the life of a starter battery that doesn't like to be discharged.

The Blue is meant more for marine applications.

Your best bet is to go with a Yellow Optima. It will tolerate deep discharges much better while still starting your JK, and will hold up longer over time.

For the record, I had a yellow Optima in my XJ, and after 6 years, it would power the winch as well as the day it was installed. And I used my Warn winch to the point that sparks would come from it from such a heavy load...

A wise man seeks the advise of others, let's see what others think...

Tom
Bryson City, NC

 

YUP Yellow Top all the way, I had one in my TJ and it never failed me. Like the last poster I used the snot out of it when I lived out west. They are worth every penny you spend.