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A battery is just a battery. Right?

Wrong!

The sophistication and number of automotive electronics are drastically increasing. Whether it's original equipment or the accessories you've added, you're drawing more power from your battery than ever before. Choosing the right OPTIMA battery will help you keep the tunes playing, the lights on and the engine starting.

OPTIMA batteries are the choice among performance enthusiasts who want to add more power to their adventures. Thanks to proprietary SPIRALCELL & PUREFLOW TECHNOLOGY®, these batteries are up to 15 times more vibration-resistant, which means they can take a lot of abuse both on and off the road, and provide up to three times the life of a traditional flooded battery.

OPTIMA battery grids are constructed of 99.99% pure lead. The purity of the lead provides lower internal resistance for additional power and quicker recharging, corrosion resistance for longer life and reduced self-discharge when stored on the shelf.

The case straps that connect the cells are far more robust than the tombstone welds commonly found in most other batteries. Those robust connections allow for better transfer of energy, both when you're charging your battery and when you need it to deliver power.

OPTIMA's Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) separators hold electrolyte like a sponge to eliminate acid spilling. Each maintenance-free battery is also completely sealed, preventing corrosion and acid spills.

-Do I need to use the included POWERLINK dongle with ORANGETOP?

Yes. POWERLINK™ must be connected to activate your battery after installation. POWERLINK™ is also critical for the battery to work properly and to take advantage of the advanced functionality this system offers. Without POWERLINK connected, you will be unable to wake the battery from sleep mode or reactivate the battery to utilize the OPTIMA CPR built-in jumpstart functionality.

 

-Can I use a regular battery charger to charge ORANGETOP?

Use only chargers or charging profiles specifically designed for 12V lithium iron phosphate (aka LFP or LiFePO4) batteries.

Do not use:
-Lead acid battery charging profiles.
-Chargers/charging profiles for flooded/SLI batteries, AGM or gel batteries.
-Chargers/charging profiles with a desulfation/antisulfation/reconditioning mode or function. Although this can be useful for lead-acid/AGM batteries, it may cause a lithium battery to be overcharged.

Your battery will not be fully-charged when received. You must fully-charge the battery to 13.9V before use.

 

-Do I need to buy an OPTIMA lithium enabled battery charger (such as Digital 200+) to charge ORANGETOP?

 

OPTIMA ORANGETOP lithium will automatically wake from Sleep/Storage mode for charging if an OPTIMA lithium-enabled charger is used. If using a non-OPTIMA charger, it may be necessary to manually “wake” the battery using the POWERLINK™ button.

 

Non-OPTIMA Chargers:

• Can only be connected to the battery terminals for charging.
• Only chargers or charging profiles for 12V lithium iron phosphate (aka LFP or LiFePO4) batteries should be used. The charger/profile should use a CCCV (constant current, constant voltage) charge profile and operate at 14.3-14.5V and discontinue output when the battery is fully-charged.
• Should not exceed the maximum charging current limits of the battery terminals as noted in the “Technical Specifications” section of the user manual.

 

-Recommended Applications / Can I use ORANGETOP in a car, truck or boat?

• ORANGETOP batteries are designed for engine starting in powersports applications (including side-by-sides, motorcycles, 4-wheelers, etc...)
• We have done limited ORANGETOP testing in non-powersports applications
• While the ORANGETOP QUAD30 has started every vehicle we have tested, we haven't tested every vehicle and we haven't tested below 50°F.
• The energy storage capacity of the ORANGETOP may be ¼ to 1/5 an OE car/pick- up battery. This means that typical car or truck key-off loads could result in a “dead” battery in less than a week in those applications.
• OPTIMA CPR (built-in jump start) may or may not reserve enough power to start cars or trucks, depending on the demands and temperature
• Consider that access to the POWERLINK to reactivate the battery or utilize OPTIMA CPR built-in jump start may be difficult, if the vehicle is un-powered.
• The ORANGETOP has high cranking power, but low capacity/energy storage when compared to a typical automotive battery. As such, it is not recommended for high- demand audio or vehicles/applications with high accessory loads
• The ORANGETOP is not designed or warrantied for motive power applications (where batteries make the vehicle move) - hoverboards, ebikes, golf carts, etc.
• Do not connect more than two (2) batteries in parallel. Connecting more than two (2) batteries in parallel may cause permanent damage to the battery or reduced service life.
• Do not connect batteries in series (24v, 36v, etc.).

 

-Can I user jumper cables on ORANGETOP?

Jumper cables can be used, but if the ORANGETOP maximum current specifications as noted in “Technical Specifications” are exceeded during the use of jumper cables, the ORANGETOP may return a fault.

 

-Where can I get warranty service for ORANGETOP?

Original purchasers of the ORANGETOP are automatically enrolled in HYPERCARE enhanced service, directly with OPTIMA. OPTIMA HYPERCARE is your exclusive option for service and support. Other OPTIMA or battery retailers do not have the capability to diagnose and support technical evaluation or service for the ORANGETOP.

 

-What is the fully-charged voltage of ORANGETOP?

100% state of charge (SoC) of ORANGETOP is 13.9V

 

-Is it ok to fully-charge the ORANGETOP?

The ORANGETOP does not have a “memory effect” from partially or fully charging Although some lithium batteries do have some level of reduced performance or life from being fully-charged or stored in a fully-charged state, OPTIMA HYPERCORE LITHIUM does not have this limitation.

 

-If you deeply-discharge ORANGETOP, does it make it wear out faster?

Deeply discharging any battery, regardless of chemistry or technology, will cause some reduction in overall service life. Generally, for lithium batteries including the ORANGETOP, discharging to a 0% state of charge (SoC) only a few times will have an imperceptible effect on overall life.

 

It is important to keep in mind though, that severe over-discharge (below 0% SoC) can cause permanent and unrecoverable damage to any battery, including lead-acid, lithium and the ORANGETOP. ORANGETOP batteries have multiple layers of protection to help prevent and protect against discharge below a 0% SoC.

 

ORANGETOP powersports batteries are not recommended for deep-cycle applications or applications where normal or expected use of the battery would include deep-discharge cycling.

 

-Were the materials in the ORANGETOP responsibly sourced?

Although cobalt (used in some lithium batteries) is not formally listed as a conflict mineral, there are questions about the ethical extraction and trade of this material. The ORANGETOP does not use a cobalt-based lithium chemistry.

 

-Does ORANGETOP work in cold temperatures?

As with all batteries, extreme cold temperatures will result in reduced performance. Cold- weather performance is best when the ORANGETOP is fully-charged.

The ORANGETOP will automatically deactivate charging when internal temperatures are below 23°F (-5°C), and will deactivate power output below 14°F(-10°C).

When temperatures are below 32°F (0°C), applying a load to the battery will cause the internal temperature to increase slightly and can improve cold-weather performance. Successive starting attempts may have more power than the initial attempt for this reason. Turning on the headlights for up to five (5) minutes will often increase the internal temperature enough to be beneficial in this regard.

 

-Is ORANGETOP sensitive to heat?

Storage and use at excessive temperatures can reduce battery life. Using heat shields or installing the battery away from excessive heat sources, such as exhaust headers or components is recommended.

 

At higher temperatures, the length of engine cranking events available may be less than five (5) seconds and the “cooldown” time needed between attempts may be longer than three (3) seconds. Charging and use of the battery is disabled if the internal temperature exceeds thresholds noted in the “Technical Specifications” section of the user manual.

 

-Can I charge ORANGETOP without the POWERLINK dongle?

OPTIMA ORANGETOP lithium will automatically wake from Sleep/Storage mode for charging if an OPTIMA lithium-enabled charger is used. If using a non-OPTIMA charger, it may be necessary to manually “wake” the battery using the POWERLINK button.

When selecting a battery, engine starting performance or cold-cranking amps (CCA), and size obviously matter, but there are other considerations. Where and how you use your vehicle and the electronic load that your battery supports should be considered. Energy recovery and cycling performance are also quickly becoming important considerations. In some applications, they are even more important than CCA.

The OPTIMA SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY® provides many features not available in ordinary batteries, such as:

• More plate surface, closer plate spacing and the use of high-purity lead. RESULTING IN: Low internal resistance. This low resistance gives you more power in a smaller box, the ability to recharge much faster, and higher and cleaner voltage characteristics during discharge.
• Immobilized plates under compression (locked in place). RESULTING IN: Improved vibration resistance, no shedding of active paste material, reduced gradual loss of power and capacity as the battery ages. This gives you a battery that lasts longer and performs better throughout its life.

 

For technical or warranty support, please call OPTIMA customer service at 1-888-867-8462 (888-8OPTIMA) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (CST) Monday through Friday, or via email at info@OPTIMAbatteries.com.

The main reasons the OPTIMA battery has a longer life are:

• There is no shedding of active paste material
• The SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY® immobilizes the plates, preventing the active paste from working loose, which can cause plate-to-plate shorting
• It utilizes a high-purity lead grid
• The grid material in OPTIMA batteries is more resistant to grid degradation – a type of internal corrosion that affects the plates inside a battery as it ages
• The completely sealed design prevents loss of water, which can lead to plate dry-out and failure

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OPTIMA batteries have increased ability to withstand the high demands being placed on batteries today, including high-heat situations, heavy electronic loads and increased vibration. The SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY® in an OPTIMA battery is what keeps it from shedding active material that gives a battery power. This technology also extends an OPTIMA battery’s cycling ability.

Mostly this is due to the purity of the lead in the OPTIMA plates. Some of the alloys in conventional batteries are more prone to electron transfer, resulting in higher self-discharge than is found in an OPTIMA battery.

A gel battery design is typically a modification of the standard lead-acid automotive or marine battery. A gelling agent is added to the electrolyte to reduce movement inside the battery case. Many gel batteries also use one-way valves in place of open vents, which help the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water in the battery, reducing gassing. Generally, gel batteries are less tolerant of high heat and are charged at lower power than traditional or AGM batteries. An OPTIMA battery is neither a gel battery nor a regular flooded battery. OPTIMA is a SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY AGM battery.

When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator), the OPTIMA will not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at excessive voltage levels or in extreme high-temperature conditions. In automotive applications, this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stays below 15 volts.

WHAT DOES DEEP-CYCLE MEAN?

Deep-cycle means using the battery in an application that will typically discharge 60% to 70% or more of the battery capacity. A standard automotive battery is an SLI (starting, lighting and ignition) battery. Its plates are designed to deliver maximum power for a short duration. Starting a car typically discharges an SLI battery less than 5 percent. When an SLI battery is used in a deep-cycle application, or in a vehicle with heavy accessory loads, the battery life will be shortened proportionally to how deeply it is cycled on a regular basis.

 

WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER A DEEP-CYCLE BATTERY?

Anytime you need the battery to supply all the operating power for a vehicle or other device. Additionally, deep-cycle batteries should be used in vehicles that have heavy accessory loads where the alternator cannot maintain the battery in a fully charged condition. Some examples include vehicles with powerful stereo systems, vehicles with increased electronics like GPS, game systems, DVD players and LCD screens or boats with onboard chargers, trolling motors, fish-finders, stereos, lights, etc.

 

DOES AN OPTIMA DEEP-CYCLE BATTERY HAVE A “MEMORY?”

Lead-acid batteries do not suffer from memory effect. Many people think they have a memory because they experience a reduction in capacity or runtime as the battery ages. The active paste material in a lead-acid battery is a consumable item, similar to tread on a tire. Every time you cycle the battery, some of the paste is used up. As the battery ages, less of the active paste is available to charge and discharge, resulting in a reduced operating time. This situation can be more apparent in the case where a high-power or starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) battery is used in a deep-cycle application. The plates of an SLI battery are designed for high-current, short-duration discharges. Plates in deep-cycle batteries are better suited to repetitive deep-discharge applications.

 

HOW DOES A GEL CELL COMPARE TO YOUR DEEP-CYCLE?

Most gel batteries have much higher internal resistance, meaning they will not be able to deliver and receive current as efficiently. This is especially apparent at higher amperage levels. For example, most gel batteries will not work successfully in engine-starting applications.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN OPTIMA® DEEP-CYCLE AND A STARTER BATTERY?

The OPTIMA deep-cycle battery utilizes different chemistry. This chemistry change allows for a much longer life in cycling applications, with only a slight reduction in starting power.

 

WHEN SHOULD I USE A DEEP-CYCLE OPTIMA BATTERY AS A STARTING BATTERY?

Deep-cycle batteries are designed for applications that require deep, repetitive amperage drain like trolling motors, golf carts and electric wheelchairs or RV house power sources. However, there are other applications called heavy-cycling or high-cycling, when a deep-cycle OPTIMA battery can successfully replace a starting battery to provide longer life and better performance. In heavy-cycling or high-cycling applications, a vehicle will pull unusually high amperage levels from the starting battery due to extra accessories or limited alternator capacity. Public safety professionals such as police, fire and ambulance fleet managers often find that traditional starting batteries cannot provide adequate life and performance due to heavy cycling. Using an OPTIMA deep-cycle battery in this type of application will result in longer life and better performance.

 

In any vehicle or equipment that will use the battery only for starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) requirements and has a properly working alternator, the OPTIMA REDTOP® Starting Battery will perform extremely well, often providing up to three times longer life than conventional batteries. If the vehicle has few or no aftermarket accessories and uses a stock or upgraded alternator, the OPTIMA REDTOP Starting Battery is the appropriate choice.

 

Remember, it is possible to have a deeply discharged YELLOWTOP® that will not start the engine; the advantages of the YELLOWTOP are that it can accept a rapid recharge and it will recover from discharge many more times.

 

It is necessary to consider both the application and the charging system before deciding which OPTIMA battery is correct for you. For example, if you have a Ford Expedition with an aftermarket alarm system and you drive the vehicle every day, the OPTIMA REDTOP would be the correct choice since the amperage drain will be nominal and the battery would be recharged daily.

 

However, if you store the vehicle for long periods with the alarm system engaged without maintaining the battery, you should use an OPTIMA YELLOWTOP since the amperage drain over several weeks would damage a REDTOP and reduce its life.

 

• Always wear proper eye, face and hand protection when working with batteries
• Never lean over a battery while boosting, testing or charging
• Exercise caution when working with metallic tools or conductors to prevent short circuits and arcing
• Keep terminals protected to prevent accidental shorting
• Replace any battery that has signs of damage to the terminals, case or cover
• Install a battery in a ventilated area for operation and during charging
• DO NOT ADD WATER TO THE OPTIMA BATTERY
• Always use a voltage-regulated battery charger with limits set to the above ratings. Overcharging can cause the safety valves to open and battery gasses to escape, resulting in premature failure. These gasses are flammable! You cannot replace water in sealed batteries that have been overcharged. Any battery that becomes very hot or makes a hissing sound while recharging should be disconnected immediately

 

Download the Materials Safety Data Sheet to get information on battery content, safety and handling, and emergency measures.

• Acid
  • Liquid in the electrolyte of a lead-acid battery.
• Acid Stratification
  • When charging a traditional/flooded lead-acid cell, high-density acid is produced in the plates. This heavy acid drops as a result of gravitation to the lower part of the cell while lower density acid rises to the top of the cell. This stratification of acid can cause loss of capacity and/or battery failure. Acid stratification is a much smaller concern in AGM batteries.
• Active Material
  • Chemically active compounds in a cell or battery that convert from one composition to another while producing current (electrical energy) or accepting current from an external circuit.
• Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)
  • The mat of micro glass fibers, which is used for fixing the sulfuric acid in lead accumulators.
• Ampere (Amp)
  • The unit of measure of the electron flow, or current, through a circuit.
• Ampere (Amp) Hours
  • The unit of measure for a battery’s electrical storage capacity. Multiply the current in amperes by the time in hours of discharge.
• Battery
  • One or more galvanic (electrochemical) cells electrically coupled into a single unit and equipped with attachments for external electrical connections.
• Battery Charger
  • Device supplying electrical energy to a secondary battery.
• Capacity
  • The ability of a fully charged battery to deliver a specified quantity of electricity at a given rate over a definite period of time.
• Cell
  • The basic electrochemical current-producing unit in a battery consisting of a set of positive plates, negative plates, electrolyte, separators and casing. There are six cells in a 12-volt lead-acid battery.
• Charge Acceptance
  • The quantity of current in ampere hours that a battery in a defined charge state can accept at a specified temperature and charge voltage within a defined period.
• Circuit
  • Path followed by a flow of electrons. A closed circuit is a complete path. An open circuit has a broken or disconnected path.
• Cold-Cranking Amps (CCA)
  • Number of amperes a lead-acid battery at 0^oF (-17.8^oC) can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell.
• Container
  • The polypropylene or hard rubber case that holds the plates, straps and electrolyte.
• Corrosion
  • Destructive chemical reaction of a liquid electrolyte with a reactive.
• Cover
  • The lid for the container.
• Current
  • Flow of electricity measured in amperes.
• Cycle
  • Charging followed by discharging, repeated at regular intervals.
• Deep-Cycle Battery
  • Battery that provides a steady amount of current over a long period of time. It provides a surge when needed and is designed to be deeply discharged over and over again.
• Discharge
  • Delivering current through the battery.
• Deep Discharge
  • State in which a cell is fully discharged using low current, so that the voltage falls below the final discharging voltage.
• Electrolyte
  • A solution of sulfuric acid and distilled water that conducts current through the movement of ions between positive and negative plates.
• Grid
  • Lead alloy framework that supports the active material of a battery plate and conducts current.
• Ground
  • Reference potential of a circuit. In automobile use, the result of attaching the battery cable to the body frame, which is used as a path for completing a circuit in lieu of a direct wire from a component. Today, over 99 percent of autos use the negative terminal of the battery as the ground.
• Lead-Acid Battery
  • Battery made up of plates, lead and lead oxide (various other elements are used to change density, hardness, porosity, etc.) with a 35 percent sulfuric acid and 65 percent water solution. This solution is called an electrolyte, which causes a chemical reaction that produces electrons.
• Maintenance-Free Battery
  • Battery in which you don't have to check or refill the electrolyte levels.
• Ohm
  • Unit for measuring electrical resistance or impedance within an electrical circuit.
• Plate - Positive
  • Cast metallic frame that contains the lead dioxide active material.
• Plate - Negative
  • Cast metallic frame that contains a spongy lead active material.
• Reserve Capacity Rating (RC)
  • Number of minutes a battery at 26.7^o C/80^o F can be discharged at a 25-amp rate until reaching 10.5 volts (for a 12-volt battery) and maintaining 10.5 volts for a 12-volt battery. The higher the rating, the longer your vehicle can operate should your alternator or fan belt malfunction.
• Sealed Battery
  • Battery in which you don't have to check or refill the electrolyte levels. Leak-proof at angles over 45 degrees, also called VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead-Acid).
• Separators
  • Porous dividers between plates that prevent physical contact.
• Short Circuit
  • An unintended current-bypass in an electric device or wiring, generally very low in resistance and thus causing a large amount of current to flow. In a battery, a cell short circuit may be damaging enough to discharge the cell and render the battery useless.
• Starting, Lighting, Ignition (SLI) Battery
  • Rechargeable battery that supplies electric energy to an automobile to power the starter motor, the lights and the ignition system of a vehicle’s engine.
• State of Charge (SOC)
  • The amount of electrical energy stored in a battery at a given time expressed as a percentage of the energy when fully charged.
• Terminals
  • Electrical connection from the battery to the external circuit. Each terminal is connected to either the first (positive) or last (negative) strap in the series connection of cells in a battery.
• Valve Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) Battery
  • Battery that is sealed and maintenance-free.
• Volt
  • Unit of measure for electrical potential.
• Watt
  • Unit of measure for electrical power.

If you don't have aftermarket electrical accessories in your vehicle, we recommend the REDTOP® 35. If you do have aftermarket electrical accessories, such as an audio system with amps, we recommend YELLOWTOP® D35. Both of these are top-post-only batteries.

Please note we also make a group 75/25 battery (some retailers will label it 75/35 in their system). This battery has both top and side posts and probably will not work in your vehicle. The positive and negative posts are on the wrong side for your vehicle and your cables may not reach.