Currently have a Optima Red Top which I have been running since 2000 and is still working great but am going to replace anyway.

Would like to know what type of batteries you might recommend.

For the Optima would be the best for Marine use Red, Yellow or Blue Top ?

Thinking about getting this one.
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/st...-1?N=581132546

Thanks

Hi Mariah212Z, I'm glad to hear your RedTop is performing so well for you. I would encourage you to have it load-tested, as that will give you a good idea of the battery's health and whether you should replace it or not. The battery you are looking at is the marine equivalent of our YellowTop automotive battery, as noted by it's light-gray case. These batteries are designed for both starting and deep-cycle applications, whereas the RedTops are not designed or warrantied for deep-cycle applications. I don't know what size RedTop you currently have, but a Group 34 RedTop will typically offer slightly more cranking amps than a Group D34M BlueTop, at the expense of some reserve capacity and the ability to be deep-cycled. Whatever battery you choose should have cranking amps that meet or exceed the needs of your engine, but you don't need to pay extra for a battery with more cranking amps, as long as the engine's requirements are met.

Based on the age of your battery, it sounds like your boat doesn't have any parasitic draws in the electrical system and you do a good job of maintaining your battery when not in use. Fully-charged, RedTops will measure about 12.6-12.8 volts and BlueTops with light gray cases will measure about 13.0-13.2 volts. If you have any questions about our batteries, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries

Wouldnt waste money on optimas. Got Engergizers at Sam club for 68 bucks. Running strong after two years.

Optima Jim,

I have four blue top 34m's. Two were brand new last summer, and one this year. One is old that survived from my last boat, but still works fine after 7 years. I have kept them on chargers periodically, but have not finished my project yet.

Anyway, the battery that was set up as primary for my stbd motor has OK voltages, but has real trouble cranking my engine. I have a crossover relay to tie it together with the port battery, and even then, I had trouble starting. It was new motor, and I thought that was just how it was going to be.

Then I got thinking, and wondering why I couldn't hold voltage and maintain fuel pressure under cranking, and switched out the battery for another, and that one will crank the engine like crazy, even without help from the other side.

So, it appears that I have a bum battery with zero run hours on it. If I try to charge it separately, the voltage spikes up quickly to like 15+ volts. Can I recondition this by continuing to charge it, or is it just done with some internal resistance problem? Is there any way Optima will trade it for another?

Thanks

Agree 100%. I've got 3 Optima Red tops. 2 are completly dead one the post dont even show a charge, I contacted Optima about it and they confirmed that all my batteries were less than 2 years old and they do carry a 3 year warranty. They told me since I cant find the receipt though that they wont do anything and I can go pound sand even though the batteries are still within warranty period.

I would go else where there are better batteries out there. Check out the sears diehard platinum marine batteries. They are made by Odyssey and about $100 or so less cheaper per battery.

YUP or NAPA's or TSC has some too. batteries are batteries man and never had a cheaper one fail or suck at doing its job

tcelano, any batteries run in series or parallel applications need to be identical in age, size and type. Mixing and matching batteries will lead to shortened lifespans and decreased performance. Which of the four BlueTops was set up on your starboard engine and what is the voltage of the battery with the engine off? What amperage rate are you using to charge the batteries?

drivrswntd, I'm sorry to hear about the problems you had with your batteries. Unfortunately, some dishonest people attempt to manipulate the warranty process, which forces us to put in some basic safeguards to prevent against fraud. Even if you don't have your original receipt, other forms of proof of purchase, like a cancelled check or credit card statement for the approximate amount can also be used. Some retailers may also have a record of your purchase in their system. Where did you purchase the batteries and what kind of problems are you experiencing with them?

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries

DIEHARD AGM PLATINUM BATT.27 or 29 series.


Jim

Jim

Thanks for being on the website to give good info! Most folks ignore the 4402 guy.....it's odd how everything he has, has ever seen (or is his neighbor's) is the best there is in the world. LOL

iv got 4 kinetik 2000's in my boat, 5 year warranty 8 -10 hours of play time with 6 sets of speakers 4 amps and 6 woofers. I love my kinetic's but maybe im just biased bc i sell them

btw iv broken 2 yellow tops off-roading from the spiral cores breaking never done that with my kinetics.