Long ago, I remember reading a post about NOT using the side posts on an Optima battery to connect a winch to (or anything else with a heavy draw). Here is pretty much what I read (from this site) plus an interesting comment on Red Tops and deep cycle use:
Well, I didn't go with an Optima for the LX but an Exide Orbital OR78DT that has both the top and side terminals. For the time being I'm only going to be running a single battery setup (maybe forever) so bolt space will become an issue as more accessories are added. I called Orbital tech support and asked them about connecting a winch to the side posts. Per the tech support guy at Orbital he said it should not be a problem and shouldn't damage the battery in any way.
I'm not sure if not using the side terminals still applies to Optimas or not but thought I would throw this up in case anyone else is wondering.
If your experience is different from what I am hearing please let me know!
Optima Batteries
Optima's engineers were recommending to AM General's engineers the use of Optima "Red Tops" for the HUMMER (H1). The 34/78 and 75/25 both have dual setups with posts on the top and GM Side terminals. You need side posts for your H1.
Just to put some numbers to this. In the 34/78 popular size Optima the Red Top is 800 CCA and the Yellow Top is 750 CCA. Both do fine as a starter battery. Especially so in the Hummer since there are 2 of them in parallel 1600 CCA vs. 1500 CCA total. The difference should not ever be a problem except in those marginal starting situations that can come up. The Red Tops will die much sooner according to Optima if deep cycled which is the case with some vehicles running inverters, etc and not having the motor running all the time. This has been found to be true in actual experience. Only a few deep cycles can kill the Red Top. Just like any other battery. They can not take the deep cycling, and still start the truck like the Yellow Top. The Yellow Tops are designed to perform in Deep Cycle service up to 300 times as well as serve as a starter. I have found the Yellow Tops to last about twice as long in my truck as the Red Tops which I tried. If you have a box stock Hummer that will not have any significant loads for extended periods with the engine not running (the case AMG Engineers are considering) then the Red Tops will be fine. Your mileage of course may vary.
Do not use the Optima side terminals if you intend to attach an electric winch to it. I spoke with an Interstate engineer and he stated they will not warranty a DT battery for winch use. It appears that the top post is the main connector to the cells and the Optima uses a relatively thin connector strip from the top post to the side terminal connection. This strip will melt kind of like a fuse or fusible link under winching loads.
Optima's engineers were recommending to AM General's engineers the use of Optima "Red Tops" for the HUMMER (H1). The 34/78 and 75/25 both have dual setups with posts on the top and GM Side terminals. You need side posts for your H1.
Just to put some numbers to this. In the 34/78 popular size Optima the Red Top is 800 CCA and the Yellow Top is 750 CCA. Both do fine as a starter battery. Especially so in the Hummer since there are 2 of them in parallel 1600 CCA vs. 1500 CCA total. The difference should not ever be a problem except in those marginal starting situations that can come up. The Red Tops will die much sooner according to Optima if deep cycled which is the case with some vehicles running inverters, etc and not having the motor running all the time. This has been found to be true in actual experience. Only a few deep cycles can kill the Red Top. Just like any other battery. They can not take the deep cycling, and still start the truck like the Yellow Top. The Yellow Tops are designed to perform in Deep Cycle service up to 300 times as well as serve as a starter. I have found the Yellow Tops to last about twice as long in my truck as the Red Tops which I tried. If you have a box stock Hummer that will not have any significant loads for extended periods with the engine not running (the case AMG Engineers are considering) then the Red Tops will be fine. Your mileage of course may vary.
Do not use the Optima side terminals if you intend to attach an electric winch to it. I spoke with an Interstate engineer and he stated they will not warranty a DT battery for winch use. It appears that the top post is the main connector to the cells and the Optima uses a relatively thin connector strip from the top post to the side terminal connection. This strip will melt kind of like a fuse or fusible link under winching loads.
Well, I didn't go with an Optima for the LX but an Exide Orbital OR78DT that has both the top and side terminals. For the time being I'm only going to be running a single battery setup (maybe forever) so bolt space will become an issue as more accessories are added. I called Orbital tech support and asked them about connecting a winch to the side posts. Per the tech support guy at Orbital he said it should not be a problem and shouldn't damage the battery in any way.
I'm not sure if not using the side terminals still applies to Optimas or not but thought I would throw this up in case anyone else is wondering.
If your experience is different from what I am hearing please let me know!