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 Which Battery to use?		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Rubin Hawkins
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/19/2003 :  14:19:41  Show Profile
Does anyone have experience with Optima Batteries? This is what I am looking at:

http://www.remybattery.com/350/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=171&subcat=170&cat=Troll+Fury

http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/ <<This one has more information.

My first project is to install a second bank of batteries, selector switch and a Volt/Amp meter. This looks like a low maintenance package that will be an easy install. I am seriously considering getting two of these and getting rid of the Exide battery that came with. It was completely dead when I got it. This way I can put one on each side of the fresh water tank in the V Berth for ballance and get weight off the stern.



Rubin
Windy Joy
C250 WB #591


Edited by - Rubin Hawkins on 05/20/2003 10:22:07
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3 Posts
Response Posted - 05/19/2003 :  20:49:37  Show Profile
Rubin, I was just about to buy two Optimas because I liked the maintenance free features of AGM batteries. I checked out the Interstate batteries web site and found out that not only do they sell Optima batteries but they also sell there own brand of AGM deep cell batteries. The Interstate group 24 AGMs were $87.95 each, which was much cheaper than the Optimas that were rated at 75 Amps. The warranty was replacement for up to 12 months, then prorated to 36 months, not quite as good as the Optimas. Since I just put in the pair of batteries this weekend I have no idea how long they will last. I've got to believe that the Optimas are better because of the price difference, but I don't know if they are that much better. Perhaps, someone on the forum can tell me if the one's I bought are crap.

The location you picked should be optimum for weight distribution. I ended up leaving mine in the stern. I replaced a single group 31 (about 65 lbs.) with the two group 24 AGMs (about 54 lbs each), so I gained just over 40 lbs. Looks like I'm going to have stuff the cooler with more beer to balance the load.


Regards,
Kevin Ray - WB250 #469
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Rubin Hawkins
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts
Response Posted - 05/20/2003 :  10:29:02  Show Profile
Kevin,

Were you able to buy that interstate battery on line? If so please send me a link. I called a local interstate distributor and they quoted me 119.99 but only after I insisted the battery acutally existed. They wanted to sell me Optima. Sure wish I could hear from someone who has actually paid the price for an Optima and would gladly do so again.

ALSO: Do you have an AC charger installed or do you just use the outboard alternator? Does anyone have an AC charger they can suggest?


Rubin
Windy Joy
C250 WB #591
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3 Posts
Response Posted - 05/20/2003 :  12:57:26  Show Profile
Rubin, I bought the batteries from the Interstate Battery store here in Charlotte, NC, after finding out about the battery online. I found it online by accident after drilling through the links on the Optima battery. Here is the link on the Interstate AGM: http://www.ibsa.com/www_2001/content/products/specs/dcs_75bt.pdf

I am using a Guest 2 phase battery charger that I wired with a cigarette plug in the starboard coaming compartment in the cockpit. Full charge with that charger is 3 Amps. Interstate Batteries sold me another charger that they said would not cook the AGMs but I had to return it. With all the stuff I have wired in the boat, the charger could not detect that the batteries were fully charged. The Guest charger I got from West Marine is successfully detecting when the batteries are fully charged so I'm sticking with that one. I leave the charger plugged in whenever the boat is at home, which is most of the time.

Regards,
Kevin Ray - WB250 #469

Edited by - kcray on 05/20/2003 14:56:54
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Jack Kirkpatrick
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts
Response Posted - 05/20/2003 :  22:03:56  Show Profile
Check Sams Club (Wal Mart) they sell an Exion version of the Optima battery and I believe the price was less than $100.00. The technology is the same as the Optima.
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zig zag
Deckhand

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16 Posts
Response Posted - 05/20/2003 :  22:22:53  Show Profile
I have used Optimas in the past and found that they work very well. One big plus is no explosive gases while charging.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.