New dual battery setup. what batteries???

[Methu969]

I am going to do a dual battery setup and wanted to know what batteries others are using and the cold cranking amps.

I was looking a optima blue tops but they seem to be overpriced.

[chpthril]

The Optimas are WAY over priced compared to the $$$ V's Ah's.

Go with a quality name-brand Marine starting battery for the engine battery, and a marine Deep-cycle for the House (stereo) battery. A group 27 size will probably get you at least 100Ah's.

I see you are selling the ACR, what route are you going instead of it?

[da.bell]

Go to Costco and grab some of their Marine Batteries.

[dogbert]

I've found that I get better value from Walmart batteries. I've bought the expensive ones and they don't last any longer than the cheap ones.

That said, the biggest difference you can make w.r.t. battery life is to get an onboard charger that you can plug in when you're not using the boat. I've found my batteries last twice as long if I do that each time I put the boat away.

[Methu969]

Yeah, I am seeling the ACR, my installer wants to use another system, something to do with a solinoid.

[talltigeguy]

Chp,

I know it has been brought up before, but I think that I have been propagandized to believe (and I do believe) that an Optima is going to be much more resistant to damage due to vibration. I think that an AGM battery would last longer for that reason.

Plus, who wants one more thing to remember when it comes time to add water to them? I went with Optimas in my last boat and look forward to one of my current deep cycle batteries dying so that I can swap them out. I will be starting my own thread about it one of these days, but one advantage to an optima is you can lay them on their side just fine. If I want to add more batts to my MC, the most logical place for them is only 8 inches deep, so I am thinking of this.

[chpthril]

Yeah, I am selling the ACR, my installer wants to use another system, something to do with a solinoid.

I see. The ACR (Auto combining Relay) is pretty much a solenoid and has no voltage drop across the system unlike a solid-state Isolator. There a a few other companies that sell a similar functioning ACR as the Blue Sea, maybe he just wants to use his one from his supplier.

[chpthril]

Chp,

I know it has been brought up before, but I think that I have been propagandized to believe (and I do believe) that an Optima is going to be much more resistant to damage due to vibration. I think that an AGM battery would last longer for that reason.

Plus, who wants one more thing to remember when it comes time to add water to them? I went with Optimas in my last boat and look forward to one of my current deep cycle batteries dying so that I can swap them out. I will be starting my own thread about it one of these days, but one advantage to an optima is you can lay them on their side just fine. If I want to add more batts to my MC, the most logical place for them is only 8 inches deep, so I am thinking of this.

IMPO, the ONLY advantage to the Optima, is that they are a sealed battery unit and can be mounted on their side if storage/space is an issue.

If you live in a very dry and hot climate, a sealed battery can have it's advantage.

If I were looking at either a std wet-cell lead acid Marine battery (they are reinforced compared to an auto battery) or an Optima, I would go with a Marine every time. You cant beat the price when looking at $$$ per Ah.

If comparing an Optima to other AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries, there are brands that are far better then the optima, but cost more (that's why they are better ) Kinetik, Trojan, etc.

Boats have been pounding from wave to wave for decades on Marine batteries long before Optima came along. Heck, I ran 2 Delco automotive batteries in my first boat for 4 years with out a problem.

[xpjim1]

I might be pushing my luck but I am on the original interstate marine rv batterries installed when the boat was built in 04. They seem to still be going strong

[Fast1911]

I might be pushing my luck but I am on the original interstate marine rv batterries installed when the boat was built in 04. They seem to still be going strong

you better knock on some wood quick

[Razzman]

Actually Interstates are damn good batts, last a long time. The Costco marines are good too, not to mention Costco's warrenty can't be beat! I'm with Chp, Optimas are no better. They look cool, hence the reason most buy them . Some actually buy them for the reason he stated.

[GIZMO]

Chp,

I know it has been brought up before, but I think that I have been propagandized to believe (and I do believe) that an Optima is going to be much more resistant to damage due to vibration. I think that an AGM battery would last longer for that reason.

Plus, who wants one more thing to remember when it comes time to add water to them? I went with Optimas in my last boat and look forward to one of my current deep cycle batteries dying so that I can swap them out. I will be starting my own thread about it one of these days, but one advantage to an optima is you can lay them on their side just fine. If I want to add more batts to my MC, the most logical place for them is only 8 inches deep, so I am thinking of this.

Had a wet cell battery crack and leak, what a mess! Optima's is all I use now, cars, sand rail's, and soon to be new boat. The one in my truck is 6 years old
and still load tests at over 600cca.

[Methu969]

Ok, got an Exide Nautica, I already had a new one so this is it's sister.

[da.bell]

Actually Interstates are damn good batts, last a long time. The Costco marines are good too, not to mention Costco's warrenty can't be beat! I'm with Chp, Optimas are no better. They look cool, hence the reason most buy them . Some actually buy them for the reason he stated.

I like the Interstate ones also. Have 4 in my boat.

[fleetpaint]

I had a new optima go bad 1 day after purchase, in my 1967 vette roadster!! they do have acid in them! the bat. sits in the inner fender, blew acid out the side vents. stained/burned the paint and etched the side exaust cover!! Auto zone replaced the bat. for free!...(thanks a/z)