ok guys i have a 91 crx hf with jdm b16a obd0 swap. well today i was driving my car everything was normal then i turned it off and about an hour later i went to turn it on and it was completely dead. I checked and i didn't leave anything turned on so i jumped started it and drove it for about 15 minutes for it to charge and when i turned it off i tried turning on again and it was completely dead again. so i had to turn it on downhill with the clutch and it always does the same thing now. i just replaced the alternator about a year ago and bought an optima yellow top around the same time. I think it's probably the battery what do you guys think it could be. by the way i've heard the optimas don't last long any of you that have them had any experiencies like this one?/
Thanks in advance

 

i do car audio and beat the hell out of batterys dayly. im actuly switching from yellow tops to kinetik batterys, well they hold a charge a lot longer. but as for your question on yellow tops ive never had a problem with them. mine usualy rests at 13.1 and this battery has been through a complete season and 2004 world finals, now some how this battery has made it into my crx. but anyway check to see what your resting voltage is should be between 12.8 - 13.4 then try to start the car or have your buddy do it and see what it drops to durring the cranking process. and if the car starts see what the voltage is doing comeing from the alt, it might be going bad, leve it on for about 15 min then check it with the car on if your voltage isnt 14.3 14.4volts then your alt is bad or begining to go down hill.

 

You should never use a yellow top as your only battery in your car, it should be an audio battery only! buy a red top to solve your problems, an actual car battery.

 

thats pretty much a myth, i hear it a lot but its not true, yes if your looking for a starting battery and dont have many accesories i would recommend a red top, cheaper and better staring battery, but your statement that you shouldnt use a yellow top as your only battery is untrue, they do very well. and in a car like my crx that i dont drive much, a yellow top is better than a red because it will hold better voltage over time.

i dont know where people always get the idea you cant use one as your starting, or even only battery in your car.

i do audio as well, and i have never had a problem with the batteries in my car, in fact the yellow top in my 91 hf has been in there since 2002, i have kinetiks in my 89dx

you might want to check other places, like your alternator, make sure everything is good, belt, connections, do you have a fuse between your alt and batt, is it good?

 

a yellow top is a deep cycle battery meant to charge and discharge completely every time you use it, car battery's are slightly charged and then slightly discharged every use, this is detrimental to a deep cycle battery. I would go have your battery tested and if it is bad have it replaced with a red top this should be free to you because the battery is only a year old, and is still under warranty.

 

i guess since you dont agree, who better to approve of a yellow top under the hood then optima themselves

http://www.optimabatteries.com

under the section about yellow tops talking about the yellow top

"Sport Compact Power

The sport compact market has continued to grow in size and advance in technology over the last few years. New developments have created demanding electrical systems requiring a high performance deep-cycle automotive battery. OPTIMA batteries can meet the needs of more enthusiasts in the performance market. Our new group 51, 35 and 75/25 sizes are made just for your compact power needs."

and also

" Dual Purpose (Starting and Deep Cycle) Batteries for Professional Use

OPTIMA YellowTop is made to install and forget. No matter the conditions, be it dampness, heat, dirt or exposure to extremes in vibration or regular discharge, you can count on OPTIMA to deliver uninterrupted power. OPTIMA's ability to hold a higher voltage during the discharge cycle makes it possible to utilize more of the stored power in the OPTIMA compared to ordinary batteries. The YellowTop handles many discharges as well as re-charges without losing significant capacity. OPTIMA is also ideal for seasonal use because of its very low self-discharge rate. That means you can store your seasonal vehicles all winter without regular charging and still spring out of the starting block when winter is over. "


oh yeah i forgot to mention that my yellow top was used when i got it, so really i have no idea how old it is, its been in my car for 2 military deployments of 4.5 months each and both times started my car like a new battery when i got back, its been in there almost 4 years now and still going strong, again i dont think the battery is your problem,

 

thanks everyone for the info i'll test both my batterry and alternator to see which is wrong

 

Charge up your battery and do the stupid test.

Start car, disconnect battery. If car dies, Alt shot.
If car keeps running, battery shot.

 

I've owned two yellow tops and both lasted about a year each. The first time it crapped out it took out my alternator which I had rebuilt. I got lucky the second time and did not damage the regulator from over charging. Both times I lost a Yellow top I did voltage drain checks and both times I found no drains on the system. When I went to replace it the third time about four months ago...Pepboys said that Optima had discontinued the 51 series yellow tops.
I've owned my CRX for 18 years and I have never had any problems with any batteries until I switched to the Yellow tops. I'm now running a standard acid battery and I have yet to have a single problem...and won't either.

As a side note, I have not seen a 51 series yellow top at any of the local auto parts stores.

 

well i tested my battery and it was bad it couldn't charge at all. so i just bought a used one from a local place. My dad has one from there for almost two years now and still works so it should be ok and there only 20 bucks. well thanks everyone for all your help