Bosch battery from Pep Boys here in Raleigh, NC was $89. A couple lights were on the dash after I replaced it, and I called the dealer. They said after driving about 50 miles or so, all the electronics reset themselves. With tax, it cost me $96 and about 15 minutes to change the battery.... The Bosch battery I bought was actually a couple lbs lighter than the factory A4 battery as well...
You can also pick up a Bosch battery that fits for around $120 at Pep Boys. I changed out the battery on my 02 about 6 months ago and other than waiting a day for the power windows to reset there was nothing else that needed resetting.
i'm very pleased with the battery's performance. i took the family to the drive in theater and sat through 3 movies listening to the stereo and using the lights. when it was time to start the van, it did so without even the slightest hint of complaint. also, this afternoon my EV gave me a fit and would not fire up at the car wash. i cranked the living bejeesus out of the starter and the battery never once gave a sign of weakening. no jumps were needed. a highly recommended battery alternative!
I put in a Optima yellow top that I got at Costco for about $150. I bought a $5 extension so my wires could reach the terminal. Great sealed dry cell battery!
Its minor but there are 2 different technologies in use...the red battery is designed for cold starting while the yellow was designed to handle added accessories...at least thats what i take from the website...it also says that if you use a red top in a car with enhanced car audio the warranty on the Red Top is void...take that into consideration...
That's why I got one for my '66 Beetle (12 volt conversion) It won't rust out the now repaired battery tray! Also, you don't want to put a super-hyper battery charger on them. They tend to like being charged on the slow side.
I splurged on a red-top a while back when I needed a new one because I had heard how good they were as a battery, but I did not know about the safety features you mentioned!
I would guess the alternator is fine, but you toasted the battery on the charger. Optimas don't respond well to rapid charging, and will do as you described. The top will warp, and acid/gas will escape from the vent holes. I'd bet it was screwed before you put it in the car, and the drive just finished off the job.
optima=the suck... one year on a yellow top turned into .05 volts under load....
The new optimas are junk, I would get a conventional battery and call it a day. I have had numerous red tops in the past in various vehicles and they last no longer than a regular battery should and I didnt think they were all they were cracked up to be. When it came time after 4 years to replace the battery in my car I just got a conventional interstate and have been happy since
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