REAL good deals on batteries, etc. from the manufacturer:
 

East Penn Manufacturing/DEKA makes every kind of battery imaginable, and supplies many manufacturers, including Formula with OEM batteries. They are a very big company, and make conventional, gel and AGM batteries in all sizes in cranking, deep-cycle and dual-purpose types, as well as golf cart, UPS, forklift, etc. etc. etc... Visit the web site and look around (you'll need Adobe Acrobat), then call the number (610-682-6361) and ask for the factory store. You can get blemish/seconds for about 60 percent off.

Since they are 7 miles from my house, I just go out there and pick up what I need. I don't know if they will ship to individuals or not. It's not just batteries, though - they make cables, lugs, wire, terminals, covers, boots, tools, chargers, testers - everything in automotive, industrial, and marine grade. I needed some 2/0 battery cable and every marine store I went to wanted $8.00 a foot!! I got it from DEKA at $2.04 a foot - tinned and everything. (If anyone needs some, let me know - I bought a 100' roll, and have 50' left.)

Group 31 combination deep cycle/cranking battery (conventional): list- $163.95; out the door - $65.06
Group 31 cranking (conventional): list - $136.95; out the door - $49.06.
Group 31 gel deep cycle lists for $280.95, so figure about $106....

Jan,

I ended up making my own battery tray that holds both D34M's side by side. I thought I had a pic here but it must be at the house.

I used some diamond plate bed rails and some other scrap aluminum to make mine. It turned out really well. It's not as nice as the billet ones above but the price was right! :)

HEY GUY'S,I AM DOING THE SAME THING,PUTTING TWO OPTIMA BATTERIES IN FOR A SOUND SYSTEM.I WAS WONDERING WHAT WOULD WORK BEST,HOOKING THEM TOGETHER,POSITIVE TO POSITIVE- NEGATIVE TO NEGATIVE,OR JUST SWITCHING FROM ONE TO THE OTHER WHEN ONE GETS WEAK.



THANKS, HOWARD

You need to run them in parallel but through a battery switch. Trying to charge two batteries with a factory alternator will cut its life in half. Use the switch to charge one at a time or upgrade to a 100Amp or 200Amp alternator.

NOW THERE'S A NAME FROM THE PAST!!!!!!!!!!!!:confused: :confused:

Here is a pic of my two yellow tops...I ran 3 amps a total of 2800 watts on 24 speakers through out my boat.

I could run the system hard for about 4 to 6 hours before the amps would start to clip.