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 Optima Batteries		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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joreilly
Deckhand

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6 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/21/2004 :  23:06:17  Show Profile
I was wondering if anyone has used an deep cycle OPTIMA battery (blue top)? They are supposed to be much better than a standard marine battery and cost about $160. I have seen many post where people get their batteries at Wal-Mart for around $50, but I didn't know if these might be worth the extra money.

Here is a link to the mfg website:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/marine/index.asp

John
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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts
Response Posted - 03/21/2004 :  23:24:59  Show Profile
I wouldn't pay the price since you'll get acceptable service, for the use you'll likely give them, from batteries costing 1/3 the price. Just my opinion of course others may disagree.
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 03/21/2004 :  23:33:14  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by joreilly</i>
<br />I was wondering if anyone has used an deep cycle OPTIMA battery (blue top)? They are supposed to be much better than a standard marine battery and cost about $160. I have seen many post where people get their batteries at Wal-Mart for around $50, but I didn't know if these might be worth the extra money.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Whether these batteries are worth paying extra depends on your electrical needs...if you have used regular deep cycle batteries and they haven't met your requirements, then these batteries may be worth investing in.

For my electrical needs, Walmart (Sam's Club) Stowaway deep cycles(made by Exide) have never let me down and the price is hard to beat.
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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts
Response Posted - 03/22/2004 :  18:47:00  Show Profile
I bought an Optima blue top group 24 for my Catalina 22. It only has 55 amp hour capacity, and then if you figure you shouldn't use over half that, then it is only about 25 amp hours. I kept it for battery #2 in my 25.
I have a group 27 absorbed glass matt battery for my #1 battery.
I'm not really impressed with either. It seems that they just don't hold a charge well. Of course if you charge them improperly just once, you have ruined them, as you will cook off what little electrolyte they have. You must have a 3 stage computerized charger suited for absorbed glass matt batteries.
I bought them for their advertised safety of not having hydrogen, or clorine outgassing. But I wonder how much of a problem that really is.
When I go to replace them I'll get two standard group 27 batteries.

this is just my opinion, I may be wrong
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joreilly
Deckhand

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6 Posts
Response Posted - 03/23/2004 :  23:01:45  Show Profile
Since my boat didn't come with a battery, I'm starting from scratch. I don't need a starting battery, just something to power the fishfinder, VHF, and the cabin/nav lights. I want to go cheap, but my brother has heard great things about these batteries. The problem is that I haven't talked to anyone that actually used them. Since Frank doesn't think they live upto the hype that really helps with the decision. I just didn't want to get a battery that I would have to replace every year, which would end up being more expensive in the long run.

Thanks for the info everyone.

John
'81
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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.