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Optima Batteries
Noticed recently that the Sears Automotive guys are retailing Optimas.
Prices appear much better than West Marine BOAT/US prices. Assume these are the real McCoy. Comments? Butch |
Optima Batteries
Costco sells Optimas also.
"Butch" wrote in message hlink.net... Noticed recently that the Sears Automotive guys are retailing Optimas. Prices appear much better than West Marine BOAT/US prices. Assume these are the real McCoy. Comments? Butch |
Optima Batteries
"Butch" wrote in message hlink.net... Noticed recently that the Sears Automotive guys are retailing Optimas. Prices appear much better than West Marine BOAT/US prices. Assume these are the real McCoy. Comments? Optima Red-Tops are great starting batteries, but their Blue-Top deep cycles leave quite a bit to be desired. Only about 50 amp hours of capacity. I use the Optima Red-Tops as starting batteries in my diesel pickup, but use Lifeline deep cycle AGM's in my boat. The Lifeline group 27's have 100 amp hours of capacity. AGM technology is the only way to go, in my opinion. http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marinebattery.asp |
Optima Batteries
Anyone using Exide orbital batterries?
I have a pair I purchased and they are working great. "RG" wrote in message news:FV7%b.1285$h23.1008@fed1read06... "Butch" wrote in message hlink.net... Noticed recently that the Sears Automotive guys are retailing Optimas. Prices appear much better than West Marine BOAT/US prices. Assume these are the real McCoy. Comments? Optima Red-Tops are great starting batteries, but their Blue-Top deep cycles leave quite a bit to be desired. Only about 50 amp hours of capacity. I use the Optima Red-Tops as starting batteries in my diesel pickup, but use Lifeline deep cycle AGM's in my boat. The Lifeline group 27's have 100 amp hours of capacity. AGM technology is the only way to go, in my opinion. http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marinebattery.asp |
Optima Batteries
On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 06:11:48 GMT, "Paul Winchester"
wrote: Anyone using Exide orbital batterries? I have a pair I purchased and they are working great. "RG" wrote in message news:FV7%b.1285$h23.1008@fed1read06... "Butch" wrote in message hlink.net... Noticed recently that the Sears Automotive guys are retailing Optimas. Prices appear much better than West Marine BOAT/US prices. Assume these are the real McCoy. Comments? Optima Red-Tops are great starting batteries, but their Blue-Top deep cycles leave quite a bit to be desired. Only about 50 amp hours of capacity. I use the Optima Red-Tops as starting batteries in my diesel pickup, but use Lifeline deep cycle AGM's in my boat. The Lifeline group 27's have 100 amp hours of capacity. AGM technology is the only way to go, in my opinion. http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marinebattery.asp I went with the Optima deep cycle for my trolling motor on the Ranger and they SUCKED. Horrible batteries. You could drain them in nothing flat. I went back to the Interstate Megatron SRM-4D series and havne't looked back since. Later, Tom S. Woodstock, CT ---------- Basic Fishing Program: 10 - Fish 20 - Eat 30 - Sleep 40 - Goto 10 |
Optima Batteries
On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 06:51:46 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote: Short Wave Sportfishing wrote: On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 06:11:48 GMT, "Paul Winchester" wrote: Anyone using Exide orbital batterries? I have a pair I purchased and they are working great. "RG" wrote in message news:FV7%b.1285$h23.1008@fed1read06... "Butch" wrote in message hlink.net... Noticed recently that the Sears Automotive guys are retailing Optimas. Prices appear much better than West Marine BOAT/US prices. Assume these are the real McCoy. Comments? Optima Red-Tops are great starting batteries, but their Blue-Top deep cycles leave quite a bit to be desired. Only about 50 amp hours of capacity. I use the Optima Red-Tops as starting batteries in my diesel pickup, but use Lifeline deep cycle AGM's in my boat. The Lifeline group 27's have 100 amp hours of capacity. AGM technology is the only way to go, in my opinion. http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marinebattery.asp I went with the Optima deep cycle for my trolling motor on the Ranger and they SUCKED. Horrible batteries. You could drain them in nothing flat. I went back to the Interstate Megatron SRM-4D series and havne't looked back since. Hmmm. Two interesting and different experiences from mine with Optimas, though I think we're talking about different models. The Optimas I had on my SeaPro were, if memory serves, 75 amp capacity batteries. In any event, they certainly provided all the juice I needed for pulling that skiff around on the creeks of the ICW and for Florida lake fishing. The only thing I didn't like about them were their oddball shape and size, compared to traditional "Group XX" batteries. I'm not the only one to experience this - at least talking to my friends and aquaintances about trolling batteries. So a lot of my opinion is based on personal experience and the experiences of others. To be fair, I've also talked to folks who like them. More of those who not than those who do. They have a lot of power initially, gotta give them that. Under constant load, though, they are very quick to deplete their charge. I put a meter on them (I have a 24 volt system on the Ranger) and watched the discharge cycle using the trolling motor normally. The output didn't vary much until about where you start to see a decrease in available voltage, then they die like a kamakazi - flame right out. The charge cycle seemed overly long compared to a normal plate battery. This is actually a fact because I tracked it - the Optima took more time to recharge at an exponential rate - each charge cycle took longer and that rate increased rapidly. I wired up a charge monitor and graphed the charge rates over time - at one point, it was like somebody flipped a switch and the charge time went up rapidly. The Megatrons work like you would expect - available power, they don't die quick, you have time to work out that you are low on battery life, etc. They charge quicker and with proper maintenance, they seem to last a long time. The charge cycles don't increase exponentially and while they are heavy and BIG, you get more bang for the buck. I dont' think AGM is a great technology for high use batteries. Now, having said that, I have a son who is into car audio and has high power auto system for shows and such. In that application, they seem to work great, but they are being recharged as they are being used. So making a long story short, I'm sticking with my Megatrons. God that was long winded - I'm getting a major jones to get out on my boats. :) Later, Tom S. Woodstock, CT ---------- Basic Fishing Program: 10 - Fish 20 - Eat 30 - Sleep 40 - Goto 10 |
Optima Batteries
I dont' think AGM is a great technology for high use batteries. AGM's are exactly what you want for batteries with frequent and deep charge cycles. You simply bought the wrong ones. |
Optima Batteries
On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 07:01:44 -0700, "RG" wrote:
I dont' think AGM is a great technology for high use batteries. AGM's are exactly what you want for batteries with frequent and deep charge cycles. You simply bought the wrong ones. Ok, let's play a game. Which ones should I have purchased? Later, Tom S. Woodstock, CT ---------- Basic Fishing Program: 10 - Fish 20 - Eat 30 - Sleep 40 - Goto 10 |
Optima Batteries
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message ... On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 07:01:44 -0700, "RG" wrote: I dont' think AGM is a great technology for high use batteries. AGM's are exactly what you want for batteries with frequent and deep charge cycles. You simply bought the wrong ones. Ok, let's play a game. Which ones should I have purchased? Not much of a game, really. I referenced them in a prior post in this very thread. Here it is again: http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marinebattery.asp. Take the group 27 as an example. This is a very common size for deep cycles on small boats. Lifeline's G27 has 100 AH capacity, measured at the 20 HR rate. This is equal to the best of flooded cell batteries in its size range, and double that of Optima's blue top. Some reasons an AGM G27 is superior to a quality flooded cell G27. 1. No corrosive and noxious gassing when charging. AGMs were originally designed for military applications. Lifelines still meet milspec for non-gassing. 2. No leaking or spilling of corrosive electrolyte. 3. All batteries have a finite life. AGMs have been shown to have significantly more charge cycles in their life than flooded cells, and this is comparing them to properly maintained flooded cells. Neglect or abuse a flooded cell, and it's not even a horse race. 4. AGMs are substantially better equipped than flooded cells to deal with shock and vibration, common environmental conditions found in a marine application. 5. Efficiency. Due to their relatively high internal resistance, three performance advantages are achieved over flooded cells. A) They will retain their voltage better under heavy current load. B) They will accept recharging current much faster than a flooded cell, resulting in shorter recycle times. C) They have a negligible self-discharge rate, much lower than flooded cells. This is important if your batteries tend to stay idle for long periods of time. 6. All of the above comes with the sweetest bonus of all. Zero maintenance. Big in my book. Please note that the above characteristics may not necessarily apply to gel-cell batteries, which are a completely different, and much inferior technology to AGM technology. Lifeline G27's can be bought for about $150-160 each. 5 year warranty. I've had three of them in service for two and a half years. I've more than gotten my money out of them, but they still are going strong. These are house/starting batteries that are very heavily used. If they died tomorrow, I wouldn't hesitate to replace them with the very same battery, even if the warranty wasn't in place. Batteries are no game to me. I researched long and hard before laying out nearly $500 for three of them. It turned out to be one of the very best $500 I've ever spent on the boat. These inspire complete confidence and I no longer have to contort myself monthly to perform maintenance on batteries that are difficult to access. If I'd known then what I know now, I would have removed the OEM flooded cell G27's immediately upon delivery of the boat and donated them to someone at the marina, replacing them with the Lifelines. Would have made the first two years of ownership much more enjoyable. BTW, Lifeline AGMs are standard equipment on many U.S. Navy crafts, fine yachts built by Pacific Seacraft, Island Packet, and Hinckley Company to mention three, and quality coaches built by such companies as Vision Coach, Royal Coach and Vantare Coach. |
Optima Batteries
On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 08:51:04 -0700, "RG" wrote:
~~ snippity do da ~~ BTW, Lifeline AGMs are standard equipment on many U.S. Navy crafts, fine yachts built by Pacific Seacraft, Island Packet, and Hinckley Company to mention three, and quality coaches built by such companies as Vision Coach, Royal Coach and Vantare Coach. Ok, you and the Lifeline site convinced me. I need new batteries, I'll give them a try. Later, Tom S. Woodstock, CT ---------- Basic Fishing Program: 10 - Fish 20 - Eat 30 - Sleep 40 - Goto 10 |
Optima Batteries
"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message ... On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 08:51:04 -0700, "RG" wrote: ~~ snippity do da ~~ BTW, Lifeline AGMs are standard equipment on many U.S. Navy crafts, fine yachts built by Pacific Seacraft, Island Packet, and Hinckley Company to mention three, and quality coaches built by such companies as Vision Coach, Royal Coach and Vantare Coach. Ok, you and the Lifeline site convinced me. I need new batteries, I'll give them a try. If you're half as satisfied as I've been with their performance, you'll feel great about the purchase. I've had friends by them on my recommendation, and they've been equally pleased. Happy boating. |
Optima Batteries
*ERRATA*
5. Efficiency. Due to their relatively high internal resistance, Should read: Due to their relatively low internal resistance. |
Optima Batteries
Well Tom, As long as its a fantasy game; Had you purchased a Kohler, or other marine generator, the point would be moot. G -- Capt. Frank __c \ _ | \_ __\_| oooo \_____ ~~~~|______________/ ~~~~~ www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks "Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message ... On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 07:01:44 -0700, "RG" wrote: I dont' think AGM is a great technology for high use batteries. AGM's are exactly what you want for batteries with frequent and deep charge cycles. You simply bought the wrong ones. Ok, let's play a game. Which ones should I have purchased? Later, Tom S. Woodstock, CT ---------- Basic Fishing Program: 10 - Fish 20 - Eat 30 - Sleep 40 - Goto 10 |
Optima Batteries
"Capt Frank Hopkins" wrote in message link.net... Well Tom, As long as its a fantasy game; Had you purchased a Kohler, or other marine generator, the point would be moot. G Hardly. I have a 5KW Kohler genset on my boat, and it has absolutely nothing to do with my criteria for selecting batteries. Please explain how the presence of a marine genset renders moot the safety, durability, performance, and maintenance advantages of AGM batteries over flooded cells? Also, if you wouldn't mind, please provide some background regarding your rank of Captain. Just curious on the latter. |
Optima Batteries
On Fri, 27 Feb 2004 02:53:20 GMT, "Capt Frank Hopkins"
wrote: Well Tom, As long as its a fantasy game; Had you purchased a Kohler, or other marine generator, the point would be moot. G I suppose, but it would look a little silly on a inshore 20 foot bay boat. Later, Tom S. Woodstock, CT ---------- Basic Fishing Program: 10 - Fish 20 - Eat 30 - Sleep 40 - Goto 10 |
Optima Batteries
"Capt Frank Hopkins" wrote in message link.net... Well Tom, As long as its a fantasy game; Had you purchased a Kohler, or other marine generator, the point would be moot. G Any why is that? Or are you implying that everyone should run a generator 24 hours a day? Rod |
Optima Batteries
Not at all Rod. I just thought the whole thread was getting little too serious and decided to throw in something totally silly. G Sorry you didn't pick up on the joke. -- Capt. Frank __c \ _ | \_ __\_| oooo \_____ ~~~~|______________/ ~~~~~ www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks "Rod McInnis" wrote in message ... "Capt Frank Hopkins" wrote in message link.net... Well Tom, As long as its a fantasy game; Had you purchased a Kohler, or other marine generator, the point would be moot. G Any why is that? Or are you implying that everyone should run a generator 24 hours a day? Rod |
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