by Jon11582 » Thu Mar 03, 2005 9:22 am
Red top/orange top are starting batteries. If you let your car sit for days at a time, or have trouble starting, this is tuned for delivering maximum power during the first few seconds of a vehicle starting.
The yellow top is for deep cycle. Like keeping your lights from dimming when the bass hits. Its tuned to allows you to draw more power out when a sudden draw is needed. This is not as good as a starting battery as the red/orange top, signified by its lower CCA (cold cranking amps).
If you have a problem with dimming lights, you need to look at a deep cycle battery. This means your car is is drawing more power than is available from the alternator, and that your battery cannot give out enough power quickly enough to cover the rest of your power draw, and do everything your asking of your car at that moment.
Ideally, your usage should stay within the limits of what the alternator can offer and your lights should never dim except for startup, and in this case, the battery would be pretty much used only when starting. If you dont have any problem with dimming lights, then the red/orange top would be optimal, since all you are doing is starting with the battery, precisely what the red/orange top is optimized for.
If your lights are dimming, something (Most likely your sound system) is drawing more than the alternator can offer, and in those cases, a yellow top would be more appropriate since it can draw more power instantaneously from the battery than the red/orange top outside of starting.
2000 Black Solara SE
