Optima Battery

[Justbass11]

Battery time again, my Everstart  battery didn’t want to start or hold a charge either. So someone told me to get a Optima blue top battery, that they are the best. The price is going to hurt more then anything.  Anyone have thoughts about them??? Thanks for the inputs.

[jbsoonerfan]

I have no experience with the marine (blue top) version but I used to run the red tops in my Blazer when I was in to stereo competitions. This was back late 90's / early 2000's and they were top of the line at that time. I wouldn't hesitate at all to put them in my boat based off the results I got out of them. 

[A-Jay]

I run blue tops.

 Four 31M's were installed new in May 2016.

 Always have plenty of juice for whatever needs it.

Make sure your on board or portable charger is compatible.

A-Jay 

[Justbass11]

@A-Jay, what would I be looking at to know if they are compatible?

[A-Jay]

On 2/14/2020 at 9:30 PM, Justbass11 said:

@A-Jay, what would I be looking at to know if they are compatible?

As long as your charger is designed / approved to safely charge Sealed Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries,

you should be good. 

You can compare your chargers capacities to the info in this link ~ 

https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/support/charging/charging-tips

 

BLUETOP Type: D34M / D31M/ D27M

These batteries are dual-purpose. They are designed for engine starting and deep cycling applications, as well as for use in boats with large accessory loads.

Recommended charging information:

• Alternator:
  • 13.65 to 15.0 volts, no amperage limit.
• Battery Charger:
  • 13.8 to 15.0 volts, 10 amps maximum, approximately for six to twelve hours.
• Cyclic Applications:
  • 14.7 volts, no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125°F (51.7°C). When current falls below one amp, finish with two-amp constant current for one hour for D34M and three-amp constant current for one hour for D27M and D31M.
• Rapid Recharge:
  • Maximum voltage 15.6 volts (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 125°F (51.7°C). Charge until current drops below one amp.
• Float Charge:
  • 13.2 to 13.8 volts, one amp maximum current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).
  • Strictly adhere to all limits.

A-Jay

[Dirtyeggroll]

Another much more affordable option are the Duracell 31 AGM from Sams Club. They are a rebranded battery Deka (very reputable battery company) battery and the specs are better than the Optimas. These Duracell AGM batteries are very popular and have a fantastic reputation, a reputation arguably better than Optimas since the Optimas started being made in Mexico. They can be had for $149-$179 depending on if they are on sale.

 

From Sams club they have an 18 month warranty. They can also be found at Batteries Plus, for a higher price, but a 3 year warranty.

 

I did a lot of research when I was looking for new batteries for my boat last year and these were by far the best bang for the buck.

 

Good luck with your power options.

[GreenPig]

Years ago bought 2 Optima 31 blue tops that lasted over 5 years so I replaced them with the same Optimas. Unfortunately the second set lasted 15 months and I had several other folks that had similar experiences. I'm not condemning Optimas but 15 months is no good. I've run the Duracell 31 for two years and so far so good. 

[Shimano_1]

I've heard horror stories about optimas.  My fishing partner has ran them for years and swears by them. I've ran those Duracells with good results but if i were considering optimas it would be for weight savings and those Duracells are heavy. Guess it's all preference and what aspects are most important 

[Jig Man]

When I sold my last boat, it had 4 year old blue tops going strong.  My boat has 3 1/2 year old blue tops in it now.

[A-Jay]

Perhaps something to keep in mind when planning, installing and/or revamping our boats battery power needs, is that the recharging unit or system we choose is every bit or perhaps even more important than the batteries themselves.

Additionally, how deeply & how often, deep cycles batteries are discharged,

as well as how quickly and in what manner, they are recharged,

all play a fairly important role in the every battery types useful life span.

Mis-matching chargers & batteries, continuously deep draining batteries to near zero and/or routinely utilizing poor recharging habits can all be detrimental to what we all hope for when it comes to our batteries life span. 

When I 'hear the horror stories' of how poorly a certain battery brand performed, what I routinely do not hear, is what role the above played in each case.

Clearly, none of that is breaking news, however when ignored, there's a decent chance it is at least partially to blame.

A-Jay

 

[Dirtyeggroll]

Good HEAVY battery + a high quality charger and always keeping charged = maximum performance.

[GreenPig]

9 hours ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

Good HEAVY battery + a high quality charger and always keeping charged = maximum performance.

207 lbs of battery & a quality 27 lb charger ?

[Justbass11]

Maybe it’s just me but I seem to be a little confused about deep cycling batteries and cranking batteries. Can you use deep cycling battery for starting your motor?  I thought that a cranking battery and a deep cycle battery are two different types of batteries, one for the trolling motor and electronics and one just for starting your motor. I’m looking at Duracell because it’s more in my budget at this time. 

[A-Jay]

23 minutes ago, Justbass11 said:

Maybe it’s just me but I seem to be a little confused about deep cycling batteries and cranking batteries. Can you use deep cycling battery for starting your motor?  I thought that a cranking battery and a deep cycle battery are two different types of batteries, one for the trolling motor and electronics and one just for starting your motor. I’m looking at Duracell because it’s more in my budget at this time. 

There may be more than one company doing it - but Optima Blue top marine batteries are Dual Purpose.  They are designed for engine starting and deep cycling applications, as well as for use in boats with large accessory loads.

 

https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/bluetop-dual-purpose-deep-cycle-and-starting

 

A-Jay

[Dirtyeggroll]

2 hours ago, Justbass11 said:

Maybe it’s just me but I seem to be a little confused about deep cycling batteries and cranking batteries. Can you use deep cycling battery for starting your motor?  I thought that a cranking battery and a deep cycle battery are two different types of batteries, one for the trolling motor and electronics and one just for starting your motor. I’m looking at Duracell because it’s more in my budget at this time. 

Lots of people use the Duracell for their cranking battery and their trolling battery. I do and it works fantastic for both. That being said, some of the bigger motors require a few more cranking amps than the Duracell supplies due to its dual purpose nature. My 125 HP Mercury, however, doesn’t hesitate at all using the Duracell as a cranking battery. I also run 3 big graphs, powerpoles, a Humminbird 360, an Ethernet switch and a Hydrowave off of the same battery and have fished for >12 hours at a time on several occasions and never had an issue starting the motor. That’s only after 1 season though, but I don’t expect much to change for at least 2 or more seasons.