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Topic: Problems with Optima Warranty. (Read 1094 times) previous topic - next topic

Problems with Optima Warranty.

I have three Optima Red Top batteries in my U320 that are still in warranty.  It's not starting without the boost switch on.  Connections are good, voltage is good.  I have heard of sudden failure problems with these batteries so I called Optima (a Johnson Controls company) and, after a frustrating search for a human, I was told that the warranty is only good through the dealer where they were purchased.  I don't know the company they were purchased from as I don't have the paperwork.  This means that unless they were purchased through a national chain the warranty is worthless unless you can return to the original dealer!  Optima's attitude is basically tough luck that's how we do things.  It's our warranty but we don't honor it - it's up the the dealers.

So, don't buy Optima's unless they are from a national chain or you never stray far from the place of purchase!

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #1 –
                 As a retired boat dealer of 27 years , i can tell you that Optima batteries are not worth the extra cost . Now , the warranty issue was the straw that did me in .I got stuck many many times .If a customer came in say on sat pm with a battery failure and it still in warranty time wise , i couldn't call Optima for approval , so if i did a warranty exchange ,i almost always got burned . The very worst battery on warranty is hands down [Interstate] Two years was all i could handle . Their batteries are good as a rule , but from a dealers point of view , very bad . On pro rating on warranty ,the customer may have paid $69.00 and it being a year and a half old ,Interstate would do something like , sir, your replacement cost is $87.20, customer reminds about the purchase price , Interstate says ---but you bought it while it was on special.Sorry i got wound up on this but it is a very sore spot with me . I still have that value called [Honor]            Brad Metzger
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #2 –
send an email to the CEO of Johnson Controls aout your unhappiness, you will get a reply and probably satisfaction
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #3 –
The chassis batteries on my U295 are three Optimas connected in parallel.  Shortly after I bought the coach (used), I noticed the batteries were unable to hold a charge for long and pretty much needed the boost switch for reliable starting.  I disconnected the batteries, and discovered one of the three had a shorted cell, dragging down the other two.  I ran for a while with just the two good batteries, then replaced the failed one.  You might have just one bad battery and two reasonable good ones.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #4 –
BTW, I had that same experience and replaced one only (of three) to solve. Definitely take to a shop and have them test. You can buy red tops at Costco I believe.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #5 –
When we picked up our U300 three years ago, I picked up three Autozone Duralast 27 series batteries in North Carolina for our trip home. About $90/each with 7 year/2 year free replacement. They spin the Detroit over about as fast in sub-freezing temp as on a warm day. Most Duralasts seem to run out to the end of the warranty and I have had excellent store service when one failed early. Too easy for one expensive battery to fail and then what do you do? Replace one with two older batteries next to it? At $270 for 3, just not a big deal and available everywhere.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #6 –
Same reason I bought Napa Gold this time out. Duralasts for the Tahoe and DTS though.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #7 –
A single battery system is easy to diagnose. Three batteries in parallel is more complicated. Tom Lang is on the right track. First, you should have each battery "professionally"charged and load tested. Preferably at battery store that is a dealer for Optima. Optima dealers can read the codes on the label and tell you the age, (are they triplets or were they born in different years?) That code will determine the precise amount of warranty they can give you on each battery.  I have found that most chain auto supply stores are not equipped or have the ability to do this. Manufactures will usually warrant each battery but will never replace all in a system when only one or some are bad.

If you are not selling the coach in the near future, NEVER tie a new battery in parallel with older ones. The old will greatly shorten the life of the new.

When, you know you have three good batteries reinstalled and, you still have a start problem, Then you know you have a cable problem. You said all connections looked good. After reinstalling , the connections to the posts will be good but I have found three U320's with a bad interconnecting jumper. In all cases, they looked perfect but there was internal corrosion. When a starter load was applied, it would not handle the high amps. One owner was told by a truck mechanic, that he needed a new starter.I'm happy he got a second opinion. A $12.00 (or so) temporary jumper solved his problem.

If you still have problems at this point, feel free to contact me and I can talk you through some "shade tree" checks.

Gary O
Gary O
2000 U320 4210

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #8 –
I assume all batteries need a purchase receipt for warranty replacement. We find lowest battery prices at Costco & Sam's Club and because they are nationwide, problems can be resolved across the country. But not all store locations carry Optima.

We found that Costco will lookup purchase information if receipt is not around.  And our experience with Costco is the manager can replace problem batteries without calling Optima or without much testing.

I am not sure that Optima's are so bad. Hard starting is pain to diagnose as there are positive cables, ground cables, parallel battery cables, starter, batteries, solenoids, etc that could contribute to problems.

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
I assume all batteries need a purchase receipt for warranty replacement. We find lowest battery prices at Costco & Sam's Club and because they are nationwide, problems can be resolved across the country. But not all store locations carry Optima.

We found that Costco will lookup purchase information if receipt is not around.  And our experience with Costco is the manager can replace problem batteries without calling Optima or without much testing.

I am not sure that Optima's are so bad. Hard starting is pain to diagnose as there are positive cables, ground cables, parallel battery cables, starter, batteries, solenoids, etc that could contribute to problems.

Most all battery suppliers record the buyer information at time of purchase so a receipt is no longer necessary. Pleasant change from the "old days".

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #10 –
Now you all have my dander up.  I just returned from Advance Auto where they gouged me 112 bucks for a battery.  Why do they charge such outrages prices ?  BECAUSE THEY CAN.  Advance battery in the pickup was 9 years old, they just don't make them like they used to.
Gary B

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #11 –
Keith,
Sorry to hear the trouble but keep working on it..  In my experience, battery warranty is in the top 5 of warranty issues at Daimler Truck NA.    Its not because East Penn makes a bad battery (I know of no one who makes a better battery), but its as others have said, component performance is often hard to diagnose, dealers/customers dont have patience to get to the bottom of the issue, and, batteries are very easy to swap.  There are a lot of 'no trouble found' on warranty responses.  Combine this with some retailers (like costco) who have no ability to support technical products, the warranty is a customer service tool like a Snickers that only momentarily satisfies...without getting to the bottom of an issue.   

To the Optimas, that battery product line has seen better days.  Years of cost reduction, owner swapping, etc...  The AGM battery business has changed a lot in the last 15 years and there are a lot of better products out there. 

Although you could have a bad battery, it was never said how old these batteries are.  I'd verify if the starter is not causing issues with load/draw, run through the wiring again, confirm if there isnt a parasitic load, good charging performance from alternator, etc.  If youre not comfortable doing it,  work with a shop that can help you get the system properly troubleshot. 

good luck--
Mike
2002 U270 36'

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #12 –
The battery folks laugh, saying the Optima line is a great money maker, while the batteries are fairly good, they are not worth more than double a good lead acid starting battery, but if that makes you smile, keep buying em.  ;D

Re: Problems with Optima Warranty.

Reply #13 –
Snip: The battery folks laugh, saying the Optima line is a great money maker, while the batteries are fairly good, they are not worth more than double a good lead acid starting battery, but if that makes you smile, keep buying em.

Seems to me asking other battery mfgs about a competitor might yield various possible answers? I've had Optima batteries last 6-8 years here in AZ where a typical lead-acid might make it 3-4, if that. The Red-Top chassis batteries I replaced in the coach last Spring were going on 8.5-years; one of those went in my Jeep and continues to perform very well. Obviously "Individual results may vary......"
Chad & Judy
'98 U320 - Build #5315
Motorcade 16317
Wickenburg, AZ