optima batteries

[brgbassmaster]

do you guys think that an optima D 34 M battery would work well for an 40lb v-2 12 volt trolling motor. i just need a battery that i can hook up to a charger the night before use it all day.  then charge it the next day for the next outing.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0012365013704a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=batteries&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=batteries&noImage=0

[TopDog]

Yes, without a doubt.

[Way2slow]

I wouldn't have one. You will also need a good agm charger.

Not sure what you consider running all day and how much you will be using your TM but if you're talking about using the TM all day, that battery will probably come up short. Amp hour capacity plus how long and how fast you run your TM equals run time and those are very limited on amphour capacity, plus they are not that good of a battery.

Get you a Trojan SCS-225. Has about 30% more capacity and they are good batteries.

[alger319]

yeah it'll be good, optima batteries are great

[Way2slow]

Ya'll must be talking about a different Optima D34M than I am. The D34M I see is only 55 Ah on a 20 hour rating and is only 120 min res on a 25 amp rating. That's a mighty little battery for almost $200.

The Trojan 225 I mentioned is about 135 Ah on 20 hour rating and 225 min reserve on a 25 amp rating. It's twice as much battery and cost less.

[TopDog]

Ya'll must be talking about a different Optima D34M than I am.  The D34M I see is only 55 Ah on a 20 hour rating and is only 120 min res on a 25 amp rating.  That's a mighty little battery for almost $200.

The Trojan 225 I mentioned is about 135 Ah on 20 hour rating and 225 min reserve on a 25 amp rating.  It's twice as much battery and cost less.

Your comparing a group 30 Trojan to a group 24 Optima?  The trojan weighs about 20 more pounds?

[Way2slow]

Actually, I'm just trying to keep the guy from making a $200 mistake.

The man stated he wanted to use the battery all day on a 40 lb TM.  That was why my first question was what he considered all day.  If all day is no more than a few hours run time at moderate speed, yea, it might work.  If all day is trying to fish a couple of hundred acre lake, he is going to be doing more paddling the TMing.

Without any condsideration to the conditions, everybody just up and says "OH Yea, no problem, great battery".  Well, no it's not a great battery, no it's not a high amp hour battery that's going to give long run times.  It's a highly over priced, over rated little dinky 55 amp hour battery that has a very strong advertising program.  

Yes, the Trojan is twice the battery, and does weigh considerable more and is only a few dollars cheaper, but figure side by side under the identical conditions, the Trojan will last almost three times longer, I know which one I would want in my boat.

By the way, Brgbassmaster if you want to get full life from most any battery, it needs to be charged at the end of a days use and at least once a month while being stored and not used.

[Triton TR20]

I like Trojan batteries I currentley run 1 cranking and three deep cycle charged with a Pro threebank charger. My charger went belly up last year and then found out it was three months out of warrenty. But the Pro Charger company said they would cover it (No Problem). That was  very nice of them since it was a 400.00 bill to replace it.

[Al Wolbach]

About 2 years ago, Way2slow helped me with advice when I was converting my bassboat to AGM batteries(mostly thru PM's). He helped with advice on batteries and chargers and prevented me from making several large mistakes. This man knows batteries and charging systems. Listen to him. I spoke with several engineering departments at several battery companys and charger manufacturers and they confirmed his recommendations. His advice was spot on.

Thanks again, Way2slow, you saved me a small fortune and a lot of grief.......................Al

[Way2slow]

Al,

Thanks for the kind words, but I don't get on here much anymore. The last couple of days is one of the few times I've been on here in months and usually don't get into these battery discussions because there are too many experts and I'm just a dumb country boy. Because of his location, I just thought this guy might be Air Force, and being retired from the AF, I figured I would try offering a little help, but as usual, I'll just leave it to the "experts".

[surfer]

By the way, Brgbassmaster if you want to get full life from most any battery, it needs to be charged at the end of a days use and at least once a month while being stored and not used.

I am glad you picked up on that. It is more testament to your knowledge and helpfulness.

I just need a battery that I can hook up to a charger the night before use it all day.

It will reduce the life of your battery if you let it sit without a full charge. To maintain a healthy battery:

1. Always keep your battery charged.

2. Never run it al the way to dead.

3. Add distilled water when needed. (wet cell obviously)