Optima Battery Terminal failure

[oceanracer Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close oceanracer]

Ive had 2 over the years that stopped holding charge. Id never buy one again. Seeing this is just adding to me not liking the brand

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

The cause looks pretty obvious to me. ;-)

What are you saying Donald?

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

What are you saying Donald?

Look for the red circle in the photo

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

I am referring to that - and a Donald that doesn't like Mexicans...

[starcees Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close starcees]

i can assure you guys the terminal was not over tightened it did however come off when removing lead although the wing nuts weren't that tight. Only bought it because it was the only agm that would fit in the space need more ah this time.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

i can assure you guys the terminal was not over tightened it did however come off when removing lead although the wing nuts weren't that tight. Only bought it because it was the only agm that would fit in the space need more ah this time.

Why has it got such a deep terminal mark in it?
Mine are bloody tight, but no marks at all.
Weird stuff.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Lead is a soft metal, in fact you are hot working most lead alloys at normal room temperature. Thus the terminal post will deform either side of the clamp but there would be no impact below the plastic case. Possibly it has been wrenches back and forth which has caused a fracture to appear but it looks to me like a manufacturing defect. Incorrect alloy or a casting flaw. Obviously that is based on the couple of pictures and not a proper inspection so could be wrong.

[starcees Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close starcees]

I'm 42 years old i've had a number of vehicles in my life. none have had the terminals fail.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I'm 42 years old i've had a number of vehicles in my life. none have had the terminals fail.

So were about the same, I have been working on motor vehicles for 25 years & I have never seen anything like that.
I have been a century & optima dealer for over 10 years.
I don't see crush marks in the lead terminals like that. I'm not saying its caused it, but looks sus. Too tight!
If I was optima, I'd sort it!
Thanks for sharing.

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

I am referring to that - and a Donald that doesn't like Mexicans...

Oh build a wall Micheal, or was it a bridge????

[RB80 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RB80]

Worth sounding it out with Optima, but ultimately your contract (incl your warranty) is with the company who sold it/installed it for you, and that isn't Optima.

[starcees Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close starcees]

Guys just letting you all know the upshot of my attempted warranty claim in case you are interested. Neither Optima or the installer will cover the battery, each blaming one another. Going to give Optima a wide berth for my next vehicle. If a battery is only going to last 3 years i'll stick with a standard lead acid deep cycle.

[GEEEXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close GEEEXL]

Guys just letting you all know the upshot of my attempted warranty claim in case you are interested. Neither Optima or the installer will cover the battery, each blaming one another. Going to give Optima a wide berth for my next vehicle. If a battery is only going to last 3 years i'll stick with a standard lead acid deep cycle.

ive heard that a fair bit from unhappy optima customers

[tokhi Member Find all posts View Profile Close tokhi]

Heard too many bad reports about Optima's, that's why I went with SSB AGM battery

[bricat Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bricat]

If you have the time take them to the small claims tribunal. Not lasting the warranty period is ridiculous. Failing that tell everybody about the failure. Use your facebook page even comment on their page. Rise the little people..........JMHO