Optima Batteries

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Mbiy and all,

Got the 2 new Optima Blue Top Batteries installed.

Please note that there 34M is only warranted to be a starting battery. The D31M and D34M are the dual purpose.

I installed 2 D31Ms. They have greart specs and are smaller than the Group 27s they replaced (but served me well).

The specs are at:

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/marine/product_spec_sheets.RowPar.0001.ContentPar.0001.ColumnPar.0006.File.tmp/D31M_082104.pdf

Almost ready to test to see if I damaged anything.

Capt. Ed

[mboy]

Thanks Ed. I will probably go with 2 at end of this seasonor begining of next when I do my dual battery project.

Then have to decide to go with a switch or isolater and an onbaord charging system

[mboy]

I was comparing the power specs of  the D31m to the Cabelas AGM battery and they are actully lower then the group 27 Cabelas branded (which I hear are pretty good).

Is their something else that makes these blue tops better?

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Mboy,

I like them because I can get them at the local auto parts store on the way to the boat and the guys have never taken a warranty return on them.

Also, the charging time.

I did not buy them because they had the best specs and have been able to squeeze every last bit of energy out of the materials they use - I bought them because many people use them. I called some mechanics I trust and they said the same thing to me - expensive but awesome.

I went into two Battery shops ... one in Toms River and Lee's on Rt. 70 in Brielle. Both are very knowledgable and have great prices. They both have sealed batteries including AGM in a Group 24 package for about $189 (the same price as the Optima). The problem is I have no clue about the manufacturer and their warranty, if it exists. I understand that the materials for many products in life are made at the same factories. The final products are not. I do not know the quality procedures, if any, for a Chinese made battery.

So, for the same money as a no name battery that Cabelas puts their brand name on, I get a known product right off the shelf.

That worked for me. The specs. exceed that on the Yamaha 200 HPDI for starting and fit the charging curve and the RC is better than I have know which is 33% of what I really needed (so I have more margin for error).

Good point with the specs on those batteries!

Ed

[mboy]

Thanks for the follow up Ed.

As always, I value your opinion and may very well go with them when the time comes.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Mboy,

I think something important is the weight.

If you can get more performance for less weight, go that direction with any manufacturer.

BTW, it may be the same as Cabelas, but the Optima battery can be stored on the boat in the Winter. No need to charge monthly. They hold a charge for one year. That is nice for me. It may be the same for all AGM type batteries. I don't know.

Ed