Any thoughts on this? Optima Yellowtops seem to be the best fit in theory, but the quality seems to be hit or miss lately. I don't care about lightweight or even too much in the cold - just something that can handle the draw from my security system for as long as possible between starts.

*I drive the car about 1-2x a month for autox, and then not at all during the winter (which I just leave the batt disconnected during that time)

 

Optima Yellow Top. 36 Months free replacement

From the website - The YELLOWTOP can repeatedly be brought back from deep power drains to full charge - making it ideal for your situation.

 

35? 51r?

i'm leaning towards the yellowtop, just not liking what i've been hearing about recent quality of optimas in general

 

... seriously? any regular battery will handle a tiny security system.
its the mini batts that have problems

 

so just go oe or like an advanced auto brand?

it's not a question of whether it will handle it or not - more of how long it can handle it. i dont daily drive the car - maybe drive it twice a month. and if a regular can handle it or yellowtop is overkill, could i go with a 51r (miata sized) and be okay with a twice a month start?

 

It sounded like a serious question to me.

Current drain from a security system will be minimal sure, but if the car sits for more than a month, or is stored in a cold climate, then you could have issues.

Better safe than sorry. I know i like my car to start when i turn the key.

 

i have a mini battery so when its gonna sit for a while i take off the battery terminal if its in a safe place or just buy a portable charger like i did and poof car starts. sometimes you have to improvise for long storage

 

35D Yellowtop.

Going to a smaller battery is not what you want to do if the car is only driven once or twice a month.

Others may argue, but you're not saving any significant amount of weight going to a smaller battery, nor is there a significant cost savings.

Get the regular sized Yellowtop, worry less, and enjoy the car starting when you want it to.

 

that's what i'm leaning toward. hopefully optima's decline in quality has been exaggerated and the battery will last me a good while

 

i went mini battery becasue i have the short uicp but any battery will drain after a period of time if its not cycled thats just the life of a battery. letting it sit for 10 months its gonna drain no matter what battery you have. your only other bet is to just start it every few days