09-21-2018, 01:03 PM | #1 |
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Optima....
Have any of you looked at the thread on the EFV8 Club Forum concerning the discontinuance of the Optima 6 volt battery? The Optima website shows that it is no longer available. I'm wondering if there is a manufacturer of a similar 6 volt battery....
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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 |
09-21-2018, 01:09 PM | #2 |
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Re: Optima....
Geez...glad as hell I just bought one !!
Mike |
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09-21-2018, 03:31 PM | #3 |
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Re: Optima....
Hope this ain't true; I've only got about 6 years on mine. What am I going to do in 5 years?
Seriously, this is hard to believe; the military uses a lot of them. I remember that during the height of the Iraq war (debacle?), they were hard to get because they supposedly had all gone to the military. |
09-21-2018, 04:31 PM | #4 |
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Re: Optima....
I see that amazon and other sellers no longer list them online. I too am disappointed.
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09-21-2018, 04:49 PM | #5 |
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Re: Optima....
Dang!
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09-21-2018, 05:50 PM | #6 |
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Re: Optima....
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We may all have to make modifications to our cars to accommodate the fit of the 6 volt batteries still available - the Group 2LF comes to mind here. Many of us might have to convert our cars to12 volt electrical systems when the supply of 6 volt batteries dries up. I'd like to see a 12 volt battery with a 6 volt tap connection....
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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 |
09-21-2018, 06:05 PM | #7 |
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Re: Optima....
Amazon still lists 6v yellow and blue top Optima but they are $300+.
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09-22-2018, 12:26 AM | #8 |
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Re: Optima....
Yikes. The red top types were a good battery.
Odyssey makes a good battery also. http://www.odysseybattery.com/ Guess we are all hosed. Lot's of stuff still runs 6v.... always a way. Guess I'll be looking into magneto ignitions. Look at forklift and tractor batteries as a lot of them are still 6v. http://usbattery.com/products/6-volt-batteries/ Last edited by Tinker; 09-22-2018 at 04:02 PM. |
09-22-2018, 01:34 AM | #9 |
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Re: Optima....
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09-22-2018, 05:29 AM | #10 |
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Re: Optima....
The official Optima company website states that "This product is currently unavailable to purchase. Out of stock". It does not state it has been discontinued or no longer manufactured. I do know that they only make the 6 volt battery in batches when they can fit them into their production demands for their standard 12 volt batteries. So don't panic yet until we know more. Regards, Kevin.
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09-22-2018, 07:21 AM | #11 |
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Re: Optima....
here is a thread from AACA forum about this and some available stock.
http://forums.aaca.org/topic/315809-...-discontinued/ John |
09-22-2018, 09:52 AM | #12 |
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Re: Optima....
Does Odyssey make a 6 volt battery?
I have a 12 volt in my car & it works well, but didn't know about 6 volt stuff |
09-22-2018, 02:53 PM | #13 |
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Re: Optima....
theres some on ebay speedway motors has one on ebay
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09-22-2018, 04:53 PM | #14 |
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Re: Optima....
It's been advised on the V8 Forum to send emails to Optima, requesting the continuation of 6v Red Tops.
All you former Antiwar Protestors (and everyone else) please note the email address of Optima as: [email protected]
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09-22-2018, 06:44 PM | #15 |
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Re: Optima....
Hi Everyone. I like this product, so I sent an email saying that I like 'em and have purchased (x) of them in the past and was looking forward to using them in the future. Just had a new one set on the front porch last month, so I'm not really needing one quickly, but I'd be sad if I never get another chance. I attached a snap of my car. That should do a little good?!?
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09-22-2018, 07:55 PM | #16 |
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Re: Optima....
Voice of reality here.
Thinking that a message campaign to a non-human email address to this particular corporation is hopeful at best. Knowing how this organization makes decisions, it is a done deal. They have already looked at volumes / profitibility and determined that the 6V Red Top isn't part of the future. Something to know, the business unit that produces the Optima line (and a bunch of other battery products) is likely going to be spun off or sold in the coming months. 'Cleaning up' the financials is typical behavior when going through that kind of change. Doesn't make it popular with this group but is the reality of the situation. Sorry.
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19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it Last edited by FortyNiner; 09-22-2018 at 10:56 PM. |
09-22-2018, 08:03 PM | #17 |
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Re: Optima....
Those of you who have sent emails to Optima, please post the responses you receive if any....
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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 |
09-22-2018, 08:45 PM | #18 | |
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Re: Optima....
Quote:
Not holding my breath...
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09-23-2018, 09:07 AM | #19 |
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Re: Optima....
Walmart says they still have them. As does Autozone. Walmart is free (to store) shipping.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/OPTIMA-Re...Volt/706140145
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Mike Jr. here. I get on here every few months to check messages, and look through his almost 500 saved messages for information on the '29 and '34 I still have. A lot of very nice people on here. He truly enjoyed Ford Barn. |
09-23-2018, 09:48 AM | #20 |
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Re: Optima....
They may be a victim of other brands are out-selling them. These days its almost impossible to brake even if you don't do volume selling.
For those of you that own one. doubt you'll have any warranty recourse. |
09-23-2018, 10:19 AM | #21 | |
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Re: Optima....
Quote:
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09-23-2018, 10:22 AM | #22 |
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Re: Optima....
I've checked a few sources and thet seem to still be widely available (though I have no need to actually order one). They are, however, about $50 higher in price than the last one I bought. Things like this always make me wonder what's really going on.
"Drbrown" - from what I can see on this and other car forums I frequent, Optima seems to be far and away the most popular 6 volt battery nationwide. Just about every 6 volt vehicle I see at shows and cruise-ins has one. Also, wouldn't warranty issues be handled by the selling entity? From what I've read, warranty support for Optima's varies greatly between suppliers, which seems to indicate that it wouldn't be a manufacturers issue. |
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09-23-2018, 12:08 PM | #23 |
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Re: Optima....
Don't panic folks, we'll figure something out without having to convert to a too tall 6V 2HF lead acid or 12V
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John "Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 09-24-2018 at 08:54 AM. |
09-23-2018, 01:29 PM | #24 |
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Re: Optima....
The warranty is always the manufacturer's issue. Customer contact practices vary by reseller.
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09-23-2018, 05:52 PM | #25 |
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Re: Optima....
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09-24-2018, 12:14 AM | #26 |
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Re: Optima....
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True some retailers will "cover" for Optima and other manufacturers that "go south" but if they don't have an optima to replace your existing one, what are you going to get ? Could be something of good quality but not equal to the original ? As to supply, these's certain a supply of units sitting in warehouses and on the back shelves, but that will run out. And yes, why won't the sellers boost prices when they see an advantage. |
09-24-2018, 04:02 PM | #27 |
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Re: Optima....
Email from Optima Customer Service just now:
Hello Alan, Thank you for contacting Optima Customer Service. It is currently on backorder, but I am not aware of it being discontinued. Thank you, Mary jo Optima Customer Service
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09-24-2018, 07:22 PM | #28 |
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Re: Optima....
Now you spoiled everything, you when and ask the supplier!
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09-24-2018, 08:15 PM | #29 |
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Re: Optima....
I asked Optima Customer Service about the 6 volt redtop, their answer:
"It is currently on backorder but I am not aware of it being discontinued." |
09-24-2018, 09:43 PM | #30 |
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Re: Optima....
Good to know. Supply and demand. Sometimes short supply creates demand. Guess I'll pick one up this yr as an extra anyway.
Most resales departments defer warranties to the manufacture. Not always, depends on the deal they made with the manufacture on the buy, I would think most buy in bulk and resell. Always had good luck with napa over the other chain stores. Personal opinion on a chain overall, always pleased by them in this area. Walmart will take anything back. Not sure if it matters if you bought it there or not.... too big to care or know. Kidding!!! but they do take anything back without question, might just ship it back to the manufacturer also. Not a huge fan but do use it once every month or two. Last edited by Tinker; 09-24-2018 at 10:07 PM. |
09-25-2018, 11:29 AM | #31 |
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Re: Optima....
Another thing that may be in play is the current trade war going on. I don't know where the Optima 6-volt batteries are manufactured but it may be outside the USA.
I remember back when you could get a battery rebuilt. They remove the tar from the top and pull the old eaten up plates out for scrap. They cleaned the old hard rubber case up and installed a new set of plates. Put the tar back on top and presto, a newly rebuilt battery. Add the proper amount of electrolyte then charge up to battery voltage capacity. They would send the old scrap plate sets back to the manufacture which would melt them down and make new ones. This just makes way too much sense is a world where the scrap batteries are now sold overseas by the boatload for reprocessing/recycling. Last edited by rotorwrench; 09-25-2018 at 11:41 AM. |
09-25-2018, 11:46 AM | #32 |
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Re: Optima....
I believe that Optima batteries are now made in Mexico, so you may be on to something.
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09-25-2018, 01:04 PM | #33 |
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Re: Optima....
£©π€®¢√¶℅™
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09-25-2018, 04:28 PM | #34 |
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Re: Optima....
An interesting thought on buying a battery. I talked to a Battery retailer, he said to buy the cheapest six volt battery you could find. That battery has a lower and shorter number of
plates in it. Therefore when used in a car that is not driven a lot, the battery will take longer to sulfate because the plates are shorter and fewer in number than a top of the line battery stuffed with plates so the rating is higher. Just a thought. |
09-25-2018, 04:58 PM | #35 |
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Re: Optima....
I spent the first 30 years of my car life with cheap 6 volt batteries and the last 20 years with Optima's; I know which I prefer. Sounds like a retailer trying to sell more batteries.
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09-25-2018, 08:06 PM | #36 |
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Re: Optima....
I have to agree here. I'm sure cheaper batteries are quite fine. I used to get about 2-3yrs out of regular cheap 6v batteries in the heat of Florida. Bought my first optima about 8-9 yrs ago. I'm still using it. I'll see how it does in Mn (I pull them and store inside, charge maybe once or twice or the winter), Hope it last another 8yrs.
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