are the Optima batteries really better?

[garry77]

Anyone here use the optima trolling batteries?Do they work like they claim?

 

Thanks for the feedback.

[t bend tex]

In my opinion, "yes".

I use them on my boats, farm tractors, pickup and suv.  

I get a long run time on my troll motors and I have 2 that are three years old and still ticking.  

I do keep a good on board charger on them anytime I'm not using them.  I think keeping them charged is very important

Larry G

[Way2slow]

First off, you MUST have a GOOD charger designed for AGM batteries or you're going to be very disappointed with the service life you get from them.

Next, if you don't mind paying twice as much for a battery that's only going to give you about 2/3's the run time a good flooded cell battery will give you.  

So, if you don't need all the run time you can sqeeze out of a battery, if you don't mind paying a whole lot more for less battery, and you don't mind spending the extra bucks for a good charger, they are OK.  However, even then, there are much better AGM batteries that have a stacked cell that beat the Optima spiral wounds in every aspect.  Deka  is just one of several that I would pick over an Optima.

[sneaker]

The large optima battery weighs 38 lbs and is about the same size as a group 24 marine battery which weighs 40+ lbs. The optima is rated at 50 Ampere Hours while most grp 24 batts are rated at 60-75. The optima has a blue top, the others have a blue label. Optima retails at 160 bucks, the others are about half of that. Neither battery offers a specification of how many charge-discharge cycles they will last. Optimas are cute, but are they worth the extra 60-80 bucks???

My fresh water boat is electric powered. A trolling motor with a digital or continuosly variable throttle will increase your run time 2-3 times what you get with a 5 speed unit, and that is worth a lot of batterys. I got more for my buck (and less weight) buying the better motor. I suggest you go with the standard battery.

[jack1]

I use my TM 98% of the time when I'm out on the water.  I have two battery from my local Mills Fleet Farm, which is going on to their 4th year  Cost me around $45 or so, each.

I keep'em fully charged as much as possible and they have treated me good all these years.  I think its time for new ones though, but I find there's no need to pick up batteries that are twice in $$.

[Way2slow]

Don't get me wrong, AGM batteries (That's the type and what Optima's are) are great batteries for what they are designed. They are designed to be maintenance free, so they can be installed in hard to get to places and provide much longer life (more charge cycles) than your standard battery. They can also be mounted in any position, upside down even without ever leaking. They are an ideal battery for a salt water marine enviroment when mounted in an area salt water has a chance of getting to them. They also also good for aluminum boats when there is a chance the acid from a standard battery might be able to get to the aluminum.

All this does come with some other considerations. The charger is very critical and a good one is going to be a good bit more than your standard good charger. Without a very good charger, you will never get the duty cycles they are designed to deliver, probably want get as many as you would with a standard battery on a good charger. they are very temperature sensitive and so charge temps and float voltages are critical.

Next is the style construction. Spiral wound like the Optima or stacked cells like some of other better brands. As the battery ages, the plate materials start to expand. Spirals have very little room for expansion so they tend to short out sooner

Then you have the capacity, Optima's for the same size case as a good flooded cell battery has a whole lot less capacity. That is also why they are so much lighter than standard batteries. Some of the stacked cell AGM's offer more capacity than the Optimax's but none of them can equal the capacity of a good flooded cell battery in the same size case. If you buy an AGM battery that will give the same run time (capacity) as a Trojan SSC 225, it will be a larger case and will weigh close to the same.

So, is an Optima a good battery, yes, for what it's designed for.

Is there a bettery battery, yes.

Would I buy an AGM battery, yes, I buy them all the time but would I buy an Optima, NO. THey do a great job advertising them but there are better AGM batteries for the same price.

[garry77]

Ok thanks for all the info.

So to make this simpler on myself,lol,what kind of battery will give me the longest run time per full charge?With my standard onboard charger?

 I have no issues with maintaining the battery.I have an interstate deep cycle now and it is getting a little tired.I used to be able to run all day on it no matter what.Now if I have to run on high or through a little weeds I can only get about  6 to 8 hours on it(if I only run on low).

  What I want to avoid is having the extra weight of carrying a spare battery  if I can.

[brgbassmaster]

ive been told interstate are  just as good or better than optima and cheaper. thats what im going with when i replace my batteries this spring.

[Way2slow]

One of the tried and true favorites is the Trojan SSC 225.  Not cheap but if you want cheap, go to Wally World and get on of those big yellow batteries.  

I mentioned before, Deka also makes a very good battery.  They are a little cheaper than the Trojan's.

I've never run them but some of the guy's on hear swear by the Die-Hards.  A number have had good service with the Interstates.  

Since I mainly deal with commercial equipment, I mainly buy Trojan's and Deka's when getting small batteries.  I call these small because a lot of the batteries I mess with can weigh 1 - 2 tons.  Both of these brands have proven themselves so I don't try re-inventing the wheel when it comes to a battery I can trust.

[bilgerat]

Fact - there's only about four or five facilities in North America that manufacture all of the batteries - who's label goes on it at the end of the production line can be the only difference at times.

That being said, there are different quality levels in batteries as with everything else. Generally you get what you pay for. There's a market for low and high end batteries. Buy a battery that will fit your needs, dont buy based on the label or the advertising. Gel type batteries have an advantage where constant vibration is a factor.

I work on commercial equipment also, I agree with Way2slow about the Dekas. They have been around forever and are a trusted name in the industry. Whatever you buy, make sure the connections and wiring are in tip top shape or your just wasting your money.

[Team_Dougherty]

Fact - there's only about four or five facilities in North America that manufacture all of the batteries - who's label goes on it at the end of the production line can be the only difference at times.

True. see here http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/batbrand.htm

[Way2slow]

Yes, there are only a few stateside manufactors and Johnson is the 800 pound gorilla of those.   Now, if you think just because it comes out of a certain plant, it's the same battery and the only difference is the label and price, you're living in wonderland.  There are almost as many construction variations as there are labels.  

Then you have all the imported batteries that come in without labels and a company/supplies throws their label.  

Their are numbers of different quality batteries.  A cheap battery is not cheaper just because they don't have as much markup.  Huge volume discounts can reduce the price, but numbers of wholesalers buy at huge volume discounts.