monster693

I have never had good luck with optima's. I am running some AGM's and they have been working out great. I think the key is that I have an on-board smart charger that I keep plugged in when at home. Keeps both batteries charged and conditioned.

Interceptor

My boat is 19 years old and has lasted on two sets of batteries. The first a pair of Costco's Kirkland brand lasted 12 years followed by a pair Duralast which are still being used.
I check and top off with distilled water a couple times each season. For winter storage they are fully charged and kept on a bench in a unheated garage.

There are only a couple manufacturers making batteries, they just label for the retailer.

fastenuff2

my boat is 2008 and just change batterys this spring odyssey pc1200t last 9 years great batterys

ICDEDPPL

iTrader: (1)

First couple Optimas I bought years ago (90`s) were great . After 2000 I couldn`t get one to last a year

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

same here, after Johnson control bought the brand and out sourced to Mexico they were hit and mis at best.
I had to much bad luck with them to ever use one again. I like Deka batteries these days.

Knot 4 Me

Interstate. Never an issue. Deka is also good but I cannot get them local.

midwest272

Same here on optima's have had two just quit even though boat stays on charger . Going with interstate from now on ......left two interstates in another boat all winter no charge and after a quick charge they are back.

Wobble

It's been my experience that optima's don't like maint chargers and now I see that Optima states as much on their website. Better to just put them on charge every 2-3 months. I just set a reminder on my phone. Check voltage on each one before charging, if one is lower than 12v it's almost time for new ones.

My first set went in the boat 2001, second set 2009 and 3rd set 2016

Here is what Optima now says.

"Check the battery voltage every six months and charge if it falls below 12.4 volts. ... During maintenance, the voltage should be regulated between 13.2 and 13.8 volts, one amp maximum. On older vehicles without electronics, disconnect the battery cables when the vehicle is not being used for extended periods."

Most onboard chargers put out more than one amp, my old one could put out 6amps per battery.

BenPerfected

Went to a national auto parts chain and asked about the in the difference in their 24-60 month batteries. He said it was the label & cost and you are really just paying for the warrentee. He said few customers ever bring one back.

glassdave

iTrader: (1)

That was my other issue with gel cells, when they go they just go. With a quality lead acid battery it can give months of warning that can many times be temporarily adjusted with a good deep charge.