Best Batteries?
 

Looking to add a battery and replace the 2 in my boat. Guy who put in my stereo system says Optimas are best but have to use a red top, the other ones not as good. I have heard some so-so things on Optimas. What is everyone having luck with. Going to have 2 batt. to run stereo etc while parked, one for starting/backup.

I run Delco Marine and have gotten 6 years use out of them without a cell going bad....

Optimas are good for automotive use not for marine. I have used Deka Group 31 marine batteries in my last two boats. I have previously ran Optimas and they can't come close to the Deka that I run now. I play my stereo at 1/2-3/4 power for 8-10 hrs on one battery and I am running upwards of 2500 watts. If you go that route I would suggest a much smaller battery (the optima would be good) for starting and running. I have just a standard Interstate Battery for normal operation. THe Deka would take all day and then some to charge up from the alternator alone...... I have a on board charger that I plug in once back at the docks.

One 31 series will easily take the place of two Optimas.

i have had good luck with deca marine,and optima blue top cranking battery.

I am on my 4th season on Optima Yellow Tops. I have 2 and run the stereo a lot. I am very surprised they have lasted this long. I was going to swap them this year but they charged all the way up so I decided to use them. Plus I have US tow boat service so I figure the worst is I have to wait for a jump. One thing I have been doing is keeping my Perko Switch on ALL . I know people say use one for the stereo and one for starting but this works for me.. Also make sure you have a charger that can be set to charge AGM batteries.. I think that is where some people are having trouble, Charging with the wrong charger.. I am by no means a battery expert but I am on my 4th season on the batteries so i must be doing something right.

Chris

Fixx
 

I have 10 yrs on my interstates,,going into next season will be my 11th year:drink:

was looking today, battery supplier says not to use AGM/gel batteries unless you upgrade you charging system, most boats wont charge them properly, anyone heard his?

I have used Interstate in my boats for years. Make sure your audio amps have low voltage protection so you don't kill them as the volts/amps drop throughout the day.

http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial...y_gel_agm.html

I switched to AGM batteries (Seavolt from West Marine) after breaking a couple of Exides wave hopping. The AGMs charge fine using the boat's charging system or my deep cycle charger.

I run 2 blue top optimas with around 2000 watt stereo. Run the stereo on full capacity (2 subs and 6 components) for 8 hours with no problem. I always hook the batteries up to an AGM maintainer when I get home to make sure the dancing doesn't end the next day :) I have one battery wired to start the motors and one battery wired to the amps and accessories. Worst case scenario this way is that I have to drive back with no music BUT atleast my motors start.

I run the Exide Orbital blue top blems,have 3 years on them,one is starting to get weak.I keep them plug up to the onboard C Charles battery charger all the time.

I just replaced my Deka after 4 years with an Optima BlueTop Group 31 Dual Purpose (Deep Cycle & Starting). It fit in my Gil group 27 holder (a little crooked, but it's under my rear seat and I can't see it!). These are supposed to be the latest and greatest in the dual purpose, AGM technology.

I may get another one to replace my start only battery, just to have the extra reserve for my system. It will be interesting to see how it works out.

Here's the data on them.

Dave

There is also some real good information about charging on that data sheet.

Dave

Braill Batteries ?