Knowing that Johnson Controls makes just about all batteries sold here in the states and just slaps different labels on them, is a yellow top optima worth the extra money?

Not unless it'* your second battery run behind an isolator.

Yellow tops aren't designed or intended as primary batteries, and when run improperly, will kill your alternator.

Don't fall victim to the audio-head ricer syndrome. A Red Top is a great battery for a primary battery. Yellow for audio BEHIND an isolator.

A little more detail on your intended application would help.



(to qualify this, even my local Autozone is now refusing to honor alternator warranties on cars with Optima Yellow Tops as primary batteries. They finally wized up)

Whatever battery I choose will be for my sound system. I had a smaller setup last summer that made my lights dim really bad and it drove me crazy. Now that im going with a bigger amp I know need a second battery because from what I've read caps are a waste

If this is for your Bonneville, we'll move it to Audio. Beef up your alternator first. It'* not keeping up with the load. Especially if you add another battery.

No this is for the Explorer