ANyone have any experience with the "Supra" Optima Battery Hold Down?

[Red Dragon]

I'm sure people have talked about these before, but nothing turned up on search...

Does anyone have one of these? Is it worth it? It looks really nice, wish they had MKIII logo, but I'd still take it. I think my battery finally crapped out on me... doesn't seem to like sitting fow two weeks at a time between cranks. And on that subject, how are the optima batteries? I know they have a good name and are "cool," (read: expensive) but how are they in our cars? How are they with sitting for longer than normal periods between starts?

Thanks

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Billet-Optima-Battery-Hold-Down-Tray-Bracket-Supra_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33575QQihZ013QQitemZ230006740416QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

edit: oops, meant to put in general, not tech

 

[Bishop92t]

A friend of mine had an Optima battery for 2 years before it completely died on him. No warning, one day it worked the next it didn't. It never had very good CCA, so starting on a cold day was iffy. It didn't hold a charge over a long period well either. About the only thing I noticed it doing better then a regular battery was being smaller and lighter. Needless to say he went to a regluar battery after that.

 

[Clifton]

And on that subject, how are the optima batteries? I know they have a good name and are "cool," (read: expensive) but how are they in our cars? How are they with sitting for longer than normal periods between starts?

I got over 5 years out of a red top in my truck before replacing it with a yellow top (for winching). I just replaced a 1000a blue top in the wifes truck that was from 99'. They are the only batteries I'll buy. I have a red top in nay car that usually only gets driven on weekends. Starts fine. I did ruin one once letting it sit for months (like over 6) though without starting.

 

[IJ.]

My Yellow Top has been great I've had it a few years now and even after sitting for 6 months would still turn the motor over!

The big selling point for me was it being sealed as it's trunk mounted.
(They will vent gas if you charge over 15v though)

 

[suprageezer]

Over six years on my red top and still going strong. I've never had any battery killing electrical problems, so that might be why.
Rick

 

[Bishop92t]

This was a red top, btw. Possibly defective.

 

[gixxer750]

I've had a red top in every car I've owned for the past 6 years. Never had a problem out of one. My supra sat for 7 months during the rebuild, with the optima under the hood. When I got the engine back in, I turned it over 20 times or so to prime everything. Then it still wouldn't start because of wiring issues. Didn't even have to put a charger on it though

 

[Red Dragon]

great guys, thanks for the responses. Perhaps I'll pull the trigger on the optima and get the custom hold down off ebay. Would love to see a pic of one installed in an MKIII if anyone out there has one.

 

[MKIIINA]

i have the red top in my car and its awesome! car sat for over 4months without moving and it started right up no issues. will be buying one again if and when it goes out.