Deep cycle batteries

[Stosh]

I like to replace my deep cycles every 4-5 years. I'm considering putting in Optima blue tops this time instead of standard batteries. Are there any great advantages to going with Optimas?

 

[cheech]

I have a spiral gel marine battery that has been working for almost 10 years now. It is in my truck as a second battery and for my electric trolling motor.
A friend of mine has a good tip for this. He buys his batteries at West Marine. Kind of expensive but... He takes them back every year and gets new ones, on a claim of warranty which they have ALWAYS honoured.

 

[Fish Assassin]

Optima blue tops

Stay away from both the Red and Blue tops. If you do some research on them you will never/ever think of using them for any thing.

They are crap to say the least.

 

[vetteman]

Pretty hard to beat Trojans.
Dave

 

[Sushihunter]

Stay away from both the Red and Blue tops. If you do some research on them you will never/ever think of using them for any thing.

They are crap to say the least.

OK, I think a statement such as that call for a little more detail.

Care to enlighten us on your reasoning?

 

[Stosh]

Thanks for the info. I may just go back to the Kirkland deep cycles, they are almost 5 years old - not bad for inexpensive batteries.

 

[Fish Assassin]

OK, I think a statement such as that call for a little more detail.

Care to enlighten us on your reasoning?

Read even past threads on this. It is not a new topic on any forum. Dam even 2 years ago I think I started a tread about this my self as I was going to buy one to replace a Nautilus Battery which was new when I bought my last boat. I was told not only buy numerious dealers not to buy one I was instucted here on SFBC not to buy one. Go ask a dealers. Putting on of these in a boat is like puting a Cambodian Tire Marine Battery in your boat. Good for one season if that.

 

[marula]

Stosh, Not going to get into a agm vs lead acid debate but i have two optimas so i can give my actual experience. I use a optima deep cell for my house battery and a optima starting battery for my engine which is a 200 hp. Main reason i tried these as i wanted to free up some space in the back and i moved one battery into a compartment under my front seat and the optimas are sealed agm batteries so they do not leak any fluid and can be placed in any position. A lead acid battery would have leaked up there and made a mess so i wanted to try the optimas. Im into the 4th season and i have had no issues so far. Like any batteries you need to keep them charged when sitting for extended period and you should have a smart charger that handles agm batteries as they do not like the higher voltage charges of a lead acid would get.

There are lots of quality lead acid batteries for 1/2 the price and a lot more MCA and may be the better choice in a lot of situations but my main reason for the optimas was they are sealed and clean, can take more of a pounding on the water and they don't leak battery acid out.

good luck

 

[Whole in the Water]

I use Interstate batteries that came with my boat when AI bought it new. I have on starting and one deep cycle batteries for starting and trolling purposes. This combo works well. Key to good battery life is regular charging with a smart charger to keep them topped up.