Optima batteries for a 336
#11
Originally Posted by jaybird
BTW - are Optimas that good? I used to get $100 batteries at the marina, Sea Volt, etc, and they all stunk. I got Group 31 dual purpose from Sam's Club for $60, 900 amps, can crank my 800w stereo for 4 hours on one battery. For $60 bucks, I just dump them every 2-3 years.
I've had one in my Malibu ski boat for a couple of years, and it holds the charge through the winter (previous conventional battery wouldn't last more than a couple months). Also, there's no liquid in it to worry about escaping and eating things, which was an issue in the Malibu due to its location with ski vests, ropes, etc. It's worth it to me to spend more money on things that will last longer and get me more time on the water.
#12
Registered

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,815
Likes: 42
From: 1000 Islands
I've had Exide Nautilus Gold 27 wet batts last 6-7 years with proper maintenence. That is keep 'em full of distilled water and long slow full charge to capacity in the fall. The ones I have now are a couple years old, have been sitting on the shelf under the workbench in the unheated garage out back for 5 mos. I guarantee you they will peg a hydrometer at 1300+ specific gravity right now! They sit there so hot and gassy that they sweat a little and are attacking the concrete floor a foot under the shelf!
It's all about maintenence boys.
Regular top-offs with distilled water in-season (especially if you have shorepower). Don't automatically use the on-board charger all the time...there really is no need. They are the worst thing you can for the life of a deep cycle battery.
Deep cycle batteries like to be DEEP CYCLED, don't float'em close to the top all the time by keeping a charger on. They like to work, and will maintain more of thier ability to cycle and recover (thus a longer service life) if you work them!
It's all about maintenence boys.
Regular top-offs with distilled water in-season (especially if you have shorepower). Don't automatically use the on-board charger all the time...there really is no need. They are the worst thing you can for the life of a deep cycle battery.
Deep cycle batteries like to be DEEP CYCLED, don't float'em close to the top all the time by keeping a charger on. They like to work, and will maintain more of thier ability to cycle and recover (thus a longer service life) if you work them!
#13
Originally Posted by Rippem
It's all about maintenence boys.
Regular top-offs with distilled water in-season (especially if you have shorepower). Don't automatically use the on-board charger all the time...there really is no need.
Regular top-offs with distilled water in-season (especially if you have shorepower). Don't automatically use the on-board charger all the time...there really is no need.
#14
I haven't been real pleased with the Optima's in my SR357-- so I'm going to try Trojan batteries this time. They've got a website at http://www.trojan-battery.com/saltwater.asp .
The only thing they don't talk about on website is warranty but the guys here that use them on offshore fishing applications swear by them. THey are competitve with West, WallyWorld etc so I'm gonna give up on the Optima's and try these
The only thing they don't talk about on website is warranty but the guys here that use them on offshore fishing applications swear by them. THey are competitve with West, WallyWorld etc so I'm gonna give up on the Optima's and try these




