Time for new batteries

[Knot 4 Me]

Always had good luck with Interstate marine batteries (wet). Mine are 4 seasons old so time for new ones. I want to move to a gel or AGM battery. Odessey seems to have the best reputation but they are also the most expensive. I seem to read more bad things than good about Optima. Anyone using a lesser known gel or AGM that has had good luck with them at a reasonable price?

Thanks.

 

[cigdaze]

You're right, Optimas have mixed reviews. I bought two of the blue ones for my boat about 4 years ago, and they crapped out in about 6 months. Wouldn't hold a charge for more than a couple days. I traded them in under warranty and the new ones I got have been perfect going on 3+ years. So, I guess I'm on a 50/50 success ratio.

 

[YoungPerformance]

Personally, I wouldn't give you 2 cents for an Optima. I have never had any luck with them. I have been using Odyssey batteries for about 2 years now exclusively and can't say enough good things about them. In twin engine boats that I use to use 4 lead acid or Optimas, I can get away with only 2 Oddysey's. They cost more but you can use fewer to do the same job, or better. A pair of 2150's will run just about anything you can throw at it. Here is a pic of one is a trick billet tray. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Eddie

 

[rschap1]

My Optimas are older but never seemed real reliable. I have had my best luck with Interstates too. I have had 2 Odessey gels in my stand up jet skis. First one was still going strong when I sold it after 4 years (unheard of from a lil' ski battery). My latest has had a hard time since new... Sorry I ain't much help. I got 2 older DieHard marine lead acid starting/deep draw combos or whatever they call 'em. I think one of those is 8 years old. So I have a hard time complaining about those either. Guessing it is time for a couple new ones for me too this summer. Probably Interstates

 

[Griff]

With 4 years on regular Interstates, I see no reason to switch to AGM's unless you have a specific reason. BTW, I run 2 Interstate group 24's and a group 29M deep cycle for the stereo.

 

[Knot 4 Me]

With 4 years on regular Interstates, I see no reason to switch to AGM's unless you have a specific reason. BTW, I run 2 Interstate group 24's and a group 29M deep cycle for the stereo.

The boat has been running 2, 24M-XHD's which are purely starting batteries. They have been great but I've never ran them down with a stereo because the stock stereo sucks and I rarely listen to it. This spring, I plan to install a new system including a 4 channel amp and a mono amp for the sub. So at a minimum, at least one battery needs to be switched to a deep cycle. I figured while I am at it, I should at least consider switching from wet to AGM's if others feel it is worth the upgrade. I could stay with the Interstates and go with one starting and one deep cycle, but I have no onboard battery charger on the boat. The only thing that would be recharging the new "house" battery would be the alternator. Not sure that is a good thing if I run the deep cycle down too far.

 

[VetteLT193]

The yellow wal mart batteries are the same as die hard. I have never had a problem with them and they are readily available.

The amount of $$$ Odyssy charges is ludicrous... I think they are only worth it if your batteries are in a really odd location and a total PITA to get in and out.

 

[Trim'd Up]

I put in two die hard marine batteries last year and both of the have a shorted cell and won't take a charge. I have an interstate for the little john boat that has to be 8-9 years old and is still going strong. I used the cabela's AGM batteries in the bassboat and they were great. Best batteries I have ever had, and you can occasionaly get them on sale. I have used seveal optima's in jeeps and their quality is in the chitter. I wouldn't run one if you gave it to me now. The last 4 I had didn't last a year. That is using 2 at a time in the jeep.

 

[Griff]

The boat has been running 2, 24M-XHD's which are purely starting batteries. They have been great but I've never ran them down with a stereo because the stock stereo sucks and I rarely listen to it. This spring, I plan to install a new system including a 4 channel amp and a mono amp for the sub. So at a minimum, at least one battery needs to be switched to a deep cycle. I figured while I am at it, I should at least consider switching from wet to AGM's if others feel it is worth the upgrade. I could stay with the Interstates and go with one starting and one deep cycle, but I have no onboard battery charger on the boat. The only thing that would be recharging the new "house" battery would be the alternator. Not sure that is a good thing if I run the deep cycle down too far.

You could do what I did and wire in a third battery. I use an Interstate 29M deep cycle for the stereo. Or go with a big Oddysey for the 3rd battery. My stereo has 2 PDX amps(1000 watts rms) and I haven't run the battery down yet.

 

[Griff]

I just saw in the ad that Cabella's has group 24 AGM's on sale for $129.

 

[Knot 4 Me]

You could do what I did and wire in a third battery. I use an Interstate 29M deep cycle for the stereo. Or go with a big Oddysey for the 3rd battery. My stereo has 2 PDX amps(1000 watts rms) and I haven't run the battery down yet.

How does that battery get charged? Thanks for the info on the AGM's at Cabellas.

 

[Knot 4 Me]

Thanks everyone for the info and help.

 

[Wobble]

Optima's work well for me both in the boat and the race car. It is important to use the correct kind of charger and charge them individually. I don't recommend any maintenance charger unless it's the kind that will power off when a battery reaches full charge, I usually get six to eight years out of them.

I have ruined a couple, one by leaving a draw that pulled it to zero and another by using the wrong charger.

I have seen one get knocked out of a modified race car in a wreck then run over twice and still crank the engine when re-installed.

 

[Griff]

How does that battery get charged? Thanks for the info on the AGM's at Cabellas.

You can connect it to one of the other batteries and use an isolator.

I have 2 battery switches and elected not to use an isolator. I have the deep cycle is wired to position 2 on both switches. I can run either switch on "all" to charge it. Also, if I switch both switches to "all" I can start either engine as long as I have one good battery. It basically connects all 3 batteries that way.

I never run both switches on #2 with the engines running. The deep cycle would not like all those charging amps.

 

[Warlock28SXT]

I saw this site about charging optima batteries. I have a pair of blue tops (SC31DM). One seemed to have given up and the other was not fully charged. I'm doing this now to the "dead" battery and it appears to be coming around. Just figured I share this before someone just gets rid of their battery(s). For what they cost I'm giving this a shot and we'll see what happens. BTW I've had them for 4 seasons and I honestly have not done a thing to them until now.

http://www.batteriesareus.com/index...id=157&zenid=a0e7eb289a7e6c6289f78a24cc5274e5

 

[Frequency]

I saw this site about charging optima batteries. I have a pair of blue tops (SC31DM). One seemed to have given up and the other was not fully charged. I'm doing this now to the "dead" battery and it appears to be coming around. Just figured I share this before someone just gets rid of their battery(s). For what they cost I'm giving this a shot and we'll see what happens. BTW I've had them for 4 seasons and I honestly have not done a thing to them until now.

http://www.batteriesareus.com/index...id=157&zenid=a0e7eb289a7e6c6289f78a24cc5274e5

:

Yep, I've tossed a few blue tops.......
:ack2:

 

[Anchored]

Since there seems to be a consensus that Interstate batteries are good,
Why not go with an Interstate sealed gel batt.


Jeff

 

[FastDonzi]

I had an Optima Red Top- It took a dump at 13 months, Now I have a Yellow top and it's taking a dump as well At 13 Months- I wont spend the jack for that Sh*t again. A diehard would have been a better deal, Optimas Look cool--->But ain't worth a Fu*k....

 

[old377guy]

I just read the link on how to charge an Optima; very informative and explains why so many problems with that type of battery. Just might not be the best fit for the kind of use seen in our boats.

 

[Griff]

I just read the link on how to charge an Optima; very informative and explains why so many problems with that type of battery. Just might not be the best fit for the kind of use seen in our boats.

That is pretty much what Sears will do if you take in a battery to test. They put it on special charging system. I took my last Die Hard in because I thought it was bad. Its in a car I don't drive in the winter. They did a 40 min charge procedure and it checked fine. The battery was so low on charge that it stayed warm for about 5 hours after they charged it.