Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop Starting Battery Review

Not all cars are created equal. Larger cars, as well as trucks and off-road vehicles, would require more power from their battery to get their larger engines started. If you own one of these vehicles and are looking for a suitable battery replacement, then this Optima Batteries 8004-003 review is for you.

A subsidiary of Johnson Controls, Inc., Optima is a well-known and highly-trusted battery brand. Among the brand’s most popular products is the Optima Redtop Starting Battery 8004-003 34/78 which has been a consistent top pick as Best Car Battery in most car battery reviews.

It’s easy to understand why car owners would invariably pick this product as one of the best. With its 800 Cold Cranking Amps, it is powerful enough to even start the engines of larger cars, trucks and off-road vehicles. It is also durable and tough; no matter where your car goes, RedTop Starting Battery will always be up for the challenge.

Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop Starting Battery: Overview

This is for you if:
You own a larger car, truck, SUV, hot rod or off-road vehicle
You are looking for a durable car battery
You want a battery with a higher CCA rating
You are looking for a maintenance-free car battery
It’s not for you if:
You live in Catalina Island
You want the cheapest car battery

Quick Summary

Length: 10.06 inches
Width: 6.94 inches
Height: 7.88 inches
Weight: 38.8 lbs
Cold Cranking Amps (0 degrees F): 800 amps
Marine Cranking Amps (32 degrees F): 1000 amps
Voltage: 12.8V
Resistance: 0.0030 ohms
Capacity: 50 Ah (C/20)
Reserve Capacity: 100 minutes

Features and Specifications

High Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) of 800

If you’ve done some battery research in the past, one of the specs you’ll notice is its CCA rating. This stands for Cold Cranking Amp which is a rating given to a battery as a gauge for its ability to start the engine even in cold temperatures. The number you’ll see after the CCA letters indicate the number of amps the battery delivers for 30 seconds at zero degrees Fahrenheit while maintaining the output’s voltage at 7.2 volts.

Since it’s harder to start a car’s engine in cold weather, those living in colder climates must note of their car battery’s CCA rating when purchasing a replacement. It should be on par or slightly higher in rating than the original car battery since car manufacturers already calculated just how much CCA it takes to start the vehicle under such conditions.
Larger cars, SUVs, trucks and other performance vehicles usually require a higher CCA-rated battery due to their larger engines. This is the reason why the Optima Battery 8004-003 RedTop 34/78 is also compatible with these types of vehicles.
Reserve Capacity of 100 Minutes

With Optima Battery 8004-003, you don’t have to worry too much about frequent battery changing. It has a longer service life and can last between 3 to 10 years depending on usage.

170 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)

The reserve capacity of a battery is also another specification that you’ll need to take note of when scouting for a replacement. Simply put, the reserve capacity is the length of time that a full-charged battery can sustain an output of 25 amps of current at 80 degrees Fahrenheit until the voltage drops to 10.5 Volts.

In the RedTop 34/78’s case, the RC rating is 100, which means that it will be able to deliver 25 amps for a full 100 minutes for its voltage falters to below 10.5V. The RCA rating matters in case your car’s charging system encounters a problem. At that point, you’ll be solely dependent on the battery to power your headlights, electric pumps, windshield wipers, and other electric-powered accessories until you reach a safe location. The higher the RC rating, the better you’ll be able to handle such situations as it will last longer.
15x More Vibration-Resistant
One of the most common causes of battery failures is damage caused by excessive vibrations. Unfortunately, it is impossible for your battery to operate in a non-vibrating environment since the car’s engine itself is vibrating and there will always be unavoidable bumps on the road.
With the Optima RedTop Starting Battery 34/78, however, you won’t have to worry about vibrations damaging your battery and affecting its performance. It is specifically designed to resist vibrations by up to 15 times compared to other batteries.

PROS

Starts your car even in colder climates
With its 800 CCA rating, Optima battery delivers the fiercest 5-second starting burst in the Optima lineup which ensures your car will start even in cold temperatures.
SpiralCell design’s durability
Optima Red Top Starting Battery is designed to be tougher than the rest. Compared to competitors, it is 15x more vibration resistant ensuring that you’ll enjoy a worry-free operation.
Superior reserve power capacity
Even if your car’s charging mechanism breaks down, you’ll have plenty of time to spare while looking for a fix with its 100 minutes of reserve power capacity.
Ideal for larger cars, SUVs, trucks, and off-road vehicles
Its high CCA rating makes it ideal for vehicles with larger engines.
Designed to be spill-proof
No matter how you position the battery, you don’t have to worry about acid spillage.
Maintenance-free
It is completely sealed, which eliminates the need to add water to the electrolyte solution.
Lasts Longer
Compared to other lead-acid car batteries, the Optima RedTop Starting Battery 34/78 lasts twice as long.
Warranty up to 3 years

CONS

Not Available In Catalina Island
Catalina has very strict environmental laws and a lot of products that contain chemicals can’t be shipped there.
Expensive
As a high-performance car battery, it is more expensive compared to the competition.
“Pricey battery, but worth it! I've had it for over a year now and still running strong. This is my personal response vehicle that has many lights and radios in it for emergency scenes so it was important to have a battery that can run all that and come back whether the vehicle is on or not.“
Ryan H, Amazon buyer

Conclusion:

We highly recommend Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop for those planning to replace their car battery. While the product might be a bit more expensive compared to other brands, the performance you get makes its price definitely worth it.
We are especially impressed with its CCA 800 rating. This makes it ideal for those who own larger cars or SUVs. In addition, car owners who live in a colder climate will appreciate the battery’s fierce starting power which makes starting their car’s engine a breeze even in winter.
Another thing that caught our attention is its durability and maintenance-free use. With all these advantages, we simply can’t find any reason to say no to this battery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I hear the 8004-003 is better than the 8008-003?

No – they are the same. They're both 34/78 RedTop Starting Batteries. The difference is the 8004-003 comes with Optima's AGM gel cells, while the 8008-003 comes with pure lead AGM cells.

Gel cells cost a lot more – that's why they are all over the place now. But for a starting battery, pure lead is a better choice because it lasts longer and doesn't have to be 'topped off' as often.

I always see batteries labeled "agm", "gel", or "pure" lead – which is the right one for a red top?

The best choice is a pure lead battery with AGM protection. If you have to choose, then gel batteries are now the best you can get. You can learn more about the best AGM battery and see which is right for you.

Gel cells use less power, discharge and heat up faster than pure lead, and they're safer in many ways. They're not perfect - like all things in life there are always some drawbacks to running anything other than pure lead.

Why should I use Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop batteries?

Yes, it comes with a one-year warranty. You can also download the warranty that applies to your Acer product and even extend it. Go ahead and check out this website for more information regarding the warranty on your product:

Does the Car Battery Come with a warranty?

Because they are better for the environment and your vehicle. Unlike traditional batteries, Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop starting batteries have no acid that can leak out if they are damaged. 

Also, Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop starting batteries last longer and require less maintenance than traditional batteries.

What is a 34 78 battery?

The 34/78 refers to the number of volts obtained by the battery when it is fully charged. This means that the DC voltage produced by this battery is connected to voltage (V) through a series of electronic devices will equal 34.

What is the best group 34 battery?

The Optima 34/78 is one of the best group 34 batteries you can find in the market today. With its high capacity, it is very suitable for high-performance vehicles. In addition, the product is more spill-proof compared to other products out there.

Do Optima batteries last longer?

Yes, Optima batteries last longer compared to other products in the market. This is attributed to its design and manufacturing process which makes the product durable and last longer.

Can you recharge an Optima battery?

Yes, you can recharge an Optima battery. The product has an energy absorption rate of 0.0125 Watt per cell. This means that the battery is capable of accepting 1.25 Watts of energy per cell to alert the battery of a charge condition was reached and ready for use again.

Can you use an Optima battery in an RV?

Yes, you can use an Optima battery in a vehicle or RV. This is because it can work perfectly even in hot and cold weather. There are also different types of chargers that help you recharge your battery quickly and effectively.

In addition, it requires next to no maintenance unlike other batteries out there which makes it ideal for those who don’t want to spend much time on caring for their batteries.

Can you use a Optima battery in a diesel vehicle?

Yes, a 34/78 battery can be used in diesel vehicles. The only thing is that you should not use the RedTop 34/78 for extended periods as it will damage your vehicle’s engine. This is because it carries a different chemical composition than the lead-acid batteries that are used in vehicles.

What is the difference between an Optima battery and a normal battery?

There are several differences between an Optima battery and a normal one. First, it has an absorption rate of 0.0125 Watt per cell which means that the product can accept 1.25 Watts of charge per one cell. 

This leads to the ability of the battery to accept energy as well as discharge it more completely. The second difference is the amount of charge your battery can take in every time you charge it completely again.

What is an Optima battery charger?

An Optima battery charger is a device used to charge your 34/78 battery. It can also be used as a power supply unit in vehicles for camping or charging small devices such as air compressors, snow blowers, saws, and other things that are powered by electricity.

Optima batteries require the use of specific chargers that have an electronic chip installed inside the product which will regulate how much voltage your battery consumes as well as what type of current goes to your battery.

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