Optima batteries for a 336
 

I'm going to buy Optima batteries for my 336, and I'm not sure what has to be done to install them. Has anyone else done it, and what was involved? What is the right model # to buy? I have the 34M in another boat and it has been terrific.
The boat's not close to me so I can't go look and measure. Thanks in advance...

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

you see the Battery holders "TOO OLD" has for the Optima's ... sweet ...I would not think there would anything special or different you need to do ?

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

I did see those, and they are very cool... :cool:

A pair of Optima's are going to cost $350 or so, and I was hoping to use the existing battery hold down system for now. I've got a bunch of other stuff I need to do first before I start upgrading, although I did splurge for a pair of these....



http://www.trickmarine.net/images/pr..._aknbillet.jpg

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

If you are mostly going to use the batteries for starting, and not for playing the radio all day while rafting up, you might consider non-marine batteries. They will be less expensive, and actually work quite well for starting and running electronics while the boat is running. Just like a car's battery.

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

CO, something you may want to check before you buy the optimas is whether or not they are compatible with the built in battery charger in your boat. I could be wrong but thought thay you had to have a dfferent type of charger.

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

I just bought two optmias yesterday...I got the deep cycle ..they do fit in my existing battery holders (Rex Marine).. I never heard that you need a different charging system..OH YEAH I got 'em at Advance Auto parts..139.00 + a rebate for a starbrite boat cleaning kit.... :evilb:

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

Can anyone else comment on this? I can't imagine what would require a different charging circuit... :confused:

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

Not sure if the 311 and 336 have the same battery holders, but my 311 had group 24's, even with all factory options - shorepower, fridge, etc. I pulled those out for 30's, which will hold a 31.

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.

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

I've tried Optima's for 6 months---NOT impressed.

My experience has been the ratings are overstated, they don't carry a load too well and they take forever tho charge.

Just my experience so I'm going back to Exide 1000MCA $70/battery type and repalce under warranty eveyr y 11 months.

Batteries ain't bling-bling any more than sea strainers are--they are utilitarian thangs ya gotta have to "git 'r done".

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

BTW--they are charging limitations on Optima's--read the tech literature carefully and/or talk to manufacturer--I think that may be why mine are such crap and I/ve got a high end Charles C-Charger.

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

Hey, Optimas are bling.... :p

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.

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

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. :D 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!

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

I hear what you're saying, but what I want to do is avoid maintenance since I do most of it myself. If my experience so far holds, you can just install an Optima and forget about it.

Re: Optima batteries for a 336
 

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