The Orbital 34xcd is a deepcycle battery that is just as good as the Optima 34/78 yellow top specs wise with a better warranty for the same price.

 

I had a Yellow top in my last car for 4+ years and never had a problem....I will buy another for the new ride great value!

 

if you are using for daily driving then go for the deep cycle.....if you are competing and do not care 2 bits about driving it daily...then the red top. the red top cranking batt will last you shorter than the deep cycle yellow top.

if you want the best of both world..go for the orbital extreme 34xcd. it is half way deep cycle and cranking. has thicker plates than the red and yellow tops(more reserve) and has higher cranking amps than both. 1100 instead of 950 and 650.

we tested an extreme at 1100 amps for 5 seconds. battery also take sa higher charge....and higher voltage to charge compared to the yellow or red top...if you need more info...email me at westcoastextremespl@hotmail.com .....electrical is our forte.

 

The red top is by no means a poor daily driver battery. I bought one way back 1993 when the red tops were the only thing available. In fact I paid $180 for it then and paid I think $190 + tax for the yellow top I just bought from Costco a few months ago. Go figure. Anyway, I bought the red top for my Mustang which I had when still living in the Prairies (Lloydminster) and used it through a Prairie winter before moving to BC. Sold the car in Dec. 1996 and never had a problem with it.

I like my yellow top too. I had an Exide Mega Cell in my truck when I bought in 2004. It was only a few years old at most. I had no issues with it either until I left the key on in the ignition in my truck for a few days. The Exide wouldn't come back to life. It was toast, so I got the yellow top to replace it.

 

I've got 2, great batteries. However, I don't think I want to run two, and my dad needs 2 good deep cycles for his camper, any results on a Hawker 1700 or 2150?