The Accumulators Evaluation
1. Optima Batteries 8040-218 D35 YellowTop
A group 35 heavy-duty model that has everything you need, the amazing cycling capability and premium cranking power of this Optima Batteries entry makes it ideal for your vehicle as it is designed to suit modern accessory loaded cars. A true dual-purpose automotive accumulator that provides a 3 times longer lifespan than standard flooded models, it was an easy and obvious choice for the #1 spot.
CCA and MCA ratings
It excels in the two most important departments, more precisely the CCA and MCA rating sections, boasting a 620 amps CCA rating and a 770 amps MCA rating. However, it’s the high CCA rating that steals the spotlight as it ensures it can be used for small and mid-size motors and accessories. For the accessory-rich modern vehicle, it makes for a perfect fit!
AGM Design Role
Although the AGM technology implies a higher sensibility to overcharging, the upsides of this design clearly outweigh this downside that can be prevented through carefulness when charging. What makes the AGM design a paramount spec when it comes to this automotive accumulator is the fact that it grants a low internal resistance, ensuring a long service life even when it is used for deep cycle purposes.
Mention Worthy Features and Specs
- As it is a dual purpose model, you can use it either as a deep cycling or starting battery.
- An extended lifespan is granted by the SpiraCell technology and 99.99% pure lead cells.
- Versatility granted by the high CCA rating allows you to even use it for small and medium-sized outboard motors and accessories.
- Fast recharging – takes approximately 4 to 5 hours.
- Can be mounted in virtually any position you need it.
Longevity Through Resistance
In terms of resistance, it is impossible to surpass the YellowTop as it is shock, vibration, and corrosion resistant due to its design and the AGM technology it features. Furthermore, this specific technology provides a spill-proof design which is desirable as it ensures a long lifespan, lasting up to 3 times more than standard models. Delivering a service life of up to 10 years in optimum conditions, it’s a product that you will find hard to say no to.
| PROS
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CONS
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- 98-minute reserve capacity makes it perfect for small trolling motors
- High vibration resistance grated by the AGM technology it features and its durable plastic exterior
- Maintenance-free design makes it a convenient option
- Provides over 300 discharge/recharge cycles before it needs replacement
- Warranted by the manufacturing company for 3 years
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- AGM design requires you to charge it carefully in order to avoid overcharging it
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| VERDICT
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A compact group 35 model that is perfect for your vehicle as it provides a reliable performance, the Optima Batteries made it all the way to the #1 spot in our top for all the right reasons. Its dual purpose design enhances its versatility in use, while the compact design makes it easy to handle.
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The rugged construction and AGM design of the Odyssey grants it a design life of 8 to 10 years, and a service life that can peak at 10 years under proper conditions. Taking into consideration the fact that it can withstand operating even in the harshest of weather conditions as well, you cannot go wrong if you opt for it in case longevity is one of your main interests.
Dual Purpose Design
One of its most amazing traits is the fact that the PC680 actually combines the characteristics of two different types of accumulators in one box. In addition to providing sufficient cranking power, it can serve as a deep cycle battery as well. Thus, its applications are limitless.
Long Service Life
For a vehicle accumulator to provide a 3 to 10-year service life like this Odyssey selection does, it must feature the latest in terms of tech, as well as boast an almost perfect design. As it is vibration, shock, and corrosion resistant, and it uses the AGM technology that grants it a spill-proof design, there’s no wonder to the fact that it can resist for so long and provide power to your vehicle’s systems for as long as it does.
Mention Worthy Features and Specs
- High recharge efficiency as it reaches 100% recharge status in only 4 to 6 hours.
- In addition to boasting a non-spill design granted by the AGM technology, it is shock and vibration resistant.
- Designed to provide 15% more plate surface area despite the compact body.
- Virtually maintenance-free as you do not have to add water.
- Flat design of the pure lead plates.
Extreme Temperature Resistance
Temperature resistance is one of the main indicators of whether or not the accumulator will provide a long service life regardless of external factors. Seeing how without a metal jacket the PC680 resists to temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, and with a jacket it can make it even when the temperature is as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or as high as 176 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s safe to say that this is a bulletproof option to go for in terms of temperature resistance.
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CONS
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- Extreme temperature tolerance ensures a long lifespan
- Mounting flexibility allows you to install it in any position you need
- Provides up to 400 cycles at an 80% depth of discharge
- Designed not only for automobiles, but snowmobiles and boats as well
- Provides superior cranking – 5-second cranking power even in extremely low temperatures
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- Not the most impressive CCA rating – only 170 amps
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| VERDICT
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Your main interest is for your investment to last a long time, and this is precisely what the PC680 delivers. Highly shock and vibration resistant, and providing versatility due to its dual purpose design, it’s hard to imagine you will ever switch from using it once you try it out.
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3. Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop
Another entry that we are sure you will find perfectly suited for your vehicle as it is a high-CCA starting accumulator that provides a strong 5-second ignition power, the 8025-160 has only one real flaw – its asking price is a bit high. Seeing how there is no negative feedback regarding its performance, it is an offer you will find hard to refuse.
SpiralCell Technology
A leading cause of failure is vibration damage. This is an issue that you need not worry about with the RedTop as it boasts the SpiralCell construction technology which ensures an approximate 15 times higher resistance to vibration as opposed to traditional models. This patented technology is one of the main reasons why the manufacturer’s products sell so well and resist so long.
Strong Starting Burst
When it comes to your vehicle’s accumulator, one of the aspects that matter the most is for it to provide a strong starting burst so that you never have to turn the key more than once to be on your way to work. Luckily, this entry is exactly what you need as it provides a quick and strong 5-second starting burst that ensures a reliable start each day.
Mention Worthy Features and Specs
- Able to handle absurd electrical loads on the vehicle due to its high 720 amps CCA rating.
- Mountable is virtually any position you can think of, without the risk of spill existing.
- It boasts a low discharge rate that helps prolong service life, ensuring you won’t need to make a replacement for a long time.
- AGM separators make it spill-proof and add to its vibration resistance.
- Provides a consistent starting capacity which is quite uncommon.
No Acid Spills
The problem with traditional accumulators is that they inevitably spill acid when rotated at a 45-degree angle. This isn’t the issue with the RedTop as it can even be rotated to a 180-degree angle without any acid spill occurring. Thus, you have the freedom of mounting it in any position you desire without any consequences.
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CONS
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- High CCA rating ensures it keeps up all the electrical loads of the vehicle
- At an 80% depth of discharge, it lasts for over 300 cycles
- Designed to be resistant to common failure causes
- Spill-proof even when rotated up to 180 degrees
- Unsurpassable vibration resistance grated by the SpiralCell technology featured
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- Asking price might seem like a bit too much
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| VERDICT
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Delivering a strong burst of ignition power, the RedTop is your ultimate starting accumulator. It is a hefty acquisition to make, but seeing how you are likely to use it for up to 10 years under the right circumstances, you will view the money spent as a smart investment.
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As the name states, it uses the AGM technology which adds to its lifespan and desirability factor as it ensures it is spill-proof. It comes at quite a reasonable price that makes it perfect even in emergency situations as you are likely to have enough money in your wallet to acquire it. Furthermore, it is backed by a 3-year replacement warranty which strengthens the belief that it will serve you for a long time.
Reserve Capacity
All charging systems fail at one point, and as this happens, what’s important is for the reserve capacity to last for as long as possible to compensate for the occurrence. The ACDelco impresses when it comes down to this aspect as it delivers a hard to top 160-minute rating for the reserve capacity, thus granting you with continuous operation regardless of the circumstances.
High CCA Rating
The CCA or cold cranking amps rating shows the ability to start your vehicle’s engine when the temperature gets extremely cold. With an impressively high 900 CCA rating, the 49AGM ensures that regardless how cold it gets outside, you will still make it work on time without having to try tens of times to start the engine as it will provide enough power for a first try start to be possible.
Mention Worthy Features and Specs
- As the electrolyte is always held in the glass mat separator, you are ensured that it is 100% leak and spill-proof.
- Maintenance-free design granted by the oxygen recombination which minimizes water loss inside it.
- Perfect for start/stop vehicle applications as it boasts high cycling capabilities and a charge-receptive design.
- Lifespan is prolonged by the high density negative paste used in its manufacturing.
- Manufactured to resist acid leakage better due to vent cap design.
Improved Acid Circulation
Due to the fact that it features a robust envelope separator which boasts a puncture-resistant back, it ensures an increased circulation of acid. As it is designed in this manner, shorts are prevented from occurring. It will actually remain cool regardless of the situation, thus ensuring a high durability and lifespan.
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CONS
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- Provides a reliable starting power needed for a smooth daily commute with the automobile
- Damage to the terminals prevented by leak-proof pressurized valve system
- Ribbed case construction ensures strength and rigidity for a long service life
- High cycling service provided by the high-density plate oxide
- Highly convenient as the AGM design ensures no maintenance work is required
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- Heavy weight makes it hard for a single individual to install it
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| VERDICT
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A consistent performance of your personal vehicle is granted by this group 49 battery which boasts a high 900 amps CCA rating and an equally impressive 160-minute reserve capacity. Adding to all of its wonderful features the reasonable asking price, it’s safe to say that it truly makes for a reliable option for any vehicle owner.
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Ideal not only for your automobile, but for trucks, RVs, watercrafts, and so on, this DieHard entry is a bargain considering the lengthy service life it provides and the cheap price it comes at. The AGM technology is what gives it the long lifespan and immense power, while the maintenance-free profile it boasts ensures convenience as you won’t have to refill it with water or tend to it in any manner, but rather mount it and be done with it until replacement is required.
Heat-Sealed Construction
Design-wise, it is unsurpassable. This is all due to the tamper-resistant and heat-sealed construction it boasts, a construction which provides extra protection for vehicles that have modern electronic equipment. As it is leak and spill-proof, there is nothing to worry about when it comes to how you mount it either as no risks of acid dripping exist.
Enhanced Vibration Protection
The lifespan is indicated by the number of discharge/recharge cycles it can handle. What is impressive about the DieHard is that its cycle life is approximately twice as long as what other accumulators provide, all due to the high vibration protection it provides through its design.
Mention Worthy Features and Specs
- Prolonged cycle life offered by its improved vibration resistance design.
- Features full-frame positive and negative plates which prevent electrical shorts.
- High 120-minute reserve capacity rating exceeds industry standard.
- Suspension equipment plays the role of absorbing extra electrolytes.
- Meets the needs of numerous import and domestic OEM. applications.
Electrolyte Suspension System
Its most impressive feature is definitely the enhanced electrolyte suspension system which has the role of absorbing electrolytes in high amounts. Thus, it provides better protection for the internal components, a perk that not many products offer.
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CONS
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- Designed to withstand extreme temperature conditions
- Hassle-free as it does not require any maintenance work to be done on it
- Protection of internal parts ensured by the innovative electrolyte suspension system
- Comes at an affordable price
- Mountable in any position
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- Not the lightest product out there – you might have a tough time mounting it on your own
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| VERDICT
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Perfect for a wide range of vehicles and coming at a cheap price which makes it an inexpensive acquisition, this accumulator is indeed a smart option to go for. Seeing how its only actual flaw is that it’s a bit heavy, saying that it does more than a great job at meeting the needs of your vehicle would be an understatement.
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By simply learning how to keep your vehicle accumulator up and running at its peak performance, you can avoid the dreadful situation where you have to go to an expensive service and replace it or pay a tow charge as you cannot start the vehicle and get to the destination yourself. Seeing how
check-ups are seasonal and they only take a few minutes, it would be a shame not to take up the habit of upkeep as there are only benefits to reap from doing so.
- Keep the cables clean: Using a post cleaner, make sure that you regularly clean the top of the auto battery and the cables so that you remove any corrosion. If it is rated as being corrosion resistant, it doesn’t mean that you are in the clear completely as this unwanted phenomenon could still occur. Thus, you should still occasionally check and see if you have any buildup to clean off.
- Park the automobile in a garage during winter: A little protection goes a long way when the weather turns bad, and when it comes to the protection of your automotive accumulator during winter, your best course of action is to park the vehicle in a garage. This way, the thoroughly insulated construction will keep it warm even in the coldest of days. However, avoid heated garages at all costs as the warmth promotes rusting.
- Check the water level for non-maintenance-free models: If the product you opted for is a wet-cell model that is rated to require maintenance, to keep it up and running perfectly for as long as possible, you should check the water level once every 2-3 months. In case the water level is low, pour distilled water into the cell with the help of a funnel. Just make sure you don’t accidentally overfill, and you are done with this upkeep task.
- Clean the terminals periodically: Preferably once every 6 months, you should take a wire brush and use it to clean the terminals. Dip the brush into a distilled water and baking soda mix that you prepare, and scrub it until it shines. Afterward, carefully remove the dry acid build-up that you swept from it, and you are done.
- Grease it up: Just like low temperatures, high temperatures play a major role in affecting lifespan. To prevent rust and corrosion from appearing as a result of high-temperature damage, you should coat it with grease that is specially designed to withstand high heat.
- Don’t skip regular vehicle service:Last and most important of all, take the vehicle to its regular tune-up. Once every 3 months or after 3000 miles since the last check-up has passed, take the vehicle to a professional shop or to a mechanic, and have regular servicing performed on it. If the vehicle is kept in perfect condition, it helps prolong the lifespan of the accumulator as well.
Vehicle Battery Fit Guide
As batteries come in various sizes, it can get quite confusing to pick the right one for your car. However, this is a crucial step towards purchasing the right automotive battery as if you don’t ensure a proper fit, it won’t provide sufficient power to the vehicle. Another issue you will be confronted with if the battery isn’t the right fit is that the terminals won’t be in the right place and you won’t be able to reach them with the cables. What you should do is guide yourself after the instructions in the owner manual of the vehicle, or better yet, check out the fit guide we have provided you with.
| BCI Group Size |
Terminal Type |
Fit For |
| 24/24F |
Top terminal |
Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, Nissan, Honda cars |
| 34/78 |
Dual terminal |
1996-2000 SUVs, GM pickups, mid-sized and large sedans, and large Chrysler cars |
| 35 |
Top terminal |
Most Japanese vehicles |
| 47 (H5) |
Top terminal |
Most Fiat, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, and Buick cars |
| 48 (H6) |
Top terminal |
Most Audi, Volvo, Mini, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Cadillac, Jeep, GMC, and Chevy vehicles |
| 49 (H8) |
Top terminal |
Most Audi, Hyundai, Mercedes, and BMW cars |
| 51R |
Top terminal |
Most Nissan, Honda, and Mazda models |
| 65 |
Top terminal |
Trucks, large cars, sport-utility vehicles manufactured by Mercury or Ford |
| 75 |
Side terminal |
Some Chrysler cars and some General Motors small and mid-sized vehicles |
For your car to run, there’s one thing that is essential to run perfectly as well, and that’s the accumulator, of course. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to start the vehicle, rather do anything else with it. With auto batteries it’s a bit more complicated to find the right pick as you have to take many aspects into consideration, a proper fit being the first and foremost element to look into. Our selections come from different group sizes, and when it comes to lifespan, they can all last up to 10 years if properly up kept. Thus, if you find a perfect size fit for your automobile, you shouldn’t hesitate and buy it as you won’t be disappointed.
The Optima Batteries 8040-218 D35 YellowTop, the dual purpose model that landed on the #1 spot is perfect if you need a group 35 model as it boasts a 620 amps CCA rating and a 98-minute reserve capacity. Furthermore, there is a 3-year replacement warranty provided by the manufacturing company for it, so in the off chance that anything happens to it and it becomes defective, you will receive a new one. The ACDelco 49AGM is the group 49 accumulator that impressed us the most as it not only delivers an amazingly high CCA rating of 900 amps and an MCA rating of 1080 amps, but it provides 160 reserve capacity minutes as well. Best of all, it comes at a cheap price compared to most entries in its group size, so it won’t cost a fortune to tune your vehicle with it. If you want to follow the opinion of the masses, however, the Odyssey PC680 is your go-to auto solution as this is the best-selling model on the market. What made it a raging success is the lightweight design, affordable price, and decent CCA rating, this dual purpose model providing a staggering service life of up to 10 years under proper conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
?Does it lose charge if I don’t drive the automobile all that often?
Accumulator death is an occurrence that can take place if you don’t drive the vehicle often. Basically, it is as if you would store it on a shelf and left it there, no charge being provided to it. While leaving the vehicle parked for a month without giving it a key won’t lead to the complete depletion of the accumulator, leaving it this way for more than half a year will lead its untimely death. Thus, the answer to this question is yes, it does lose charge if you don’t drive the vehicle.
?What are the effects of hot and cold climates on it?
Hot summer days, as well as incredibly cold winter nights, have a negative effect on the vehicle’s accumulator. When the temperature is abnormally high, fluid can evaporate, causing damage to its internal structure, the lead plates can corrode and deteriorate, and the charging system component could even malfunction, overcharging the system and terminating it completely. When temperatures are too low, its capacity drops considerably, which leads to it being unable to start the vehicle.
?What are the main aspects to take into consideration when making a purchase?
There are quite a few elements to take into consideration in addition to it being compatible with your vehicle. These elements include for it to boast a good reserve capacity that ensures it will run even when the vehicle is off when needed, ample cold-cranking amps that indicate low temperatures won’t affect it, a long service life rating which guarantees quite a lengthy journey alongside it, and a maintenance-free design which takes all the hassle off of your hands as you won’t have to add water or do any similar task to upkeep it.
