battery choice

[dickboxers]

i put dual battery system in the boat in 2010 and used an optima blue top. I picked it because of it said it last through more recharges, but after two year it allready wont take a charge. I was wondering what everyone else uses for there accessory battery.

[Sluggo]

I used put in Adventure Power AGM's (Group 24's) when I first went to a dual battery setup in the Spring of 2007. Just now replacing them this Spring as they don't keep a charge very long and no where near what they used to. I keep a battery tender on them when not in the water and over the winter. I think I spent $500ish to upgrade to two Group 27's this time. I will be happy if I get the same 5 years out of them. Like I said the current ones are not completely dead, so I will probably use them in my camper which only has to hold a charge while we are on the road.

[wotan2525]

I've run 2xWalMart Group 29s for 4 years now. Have always kept them on a ProSport 20 charger during the summer and maintain/recondition them with an Optimate 4 in the winter. At around $85/each I don't see how you can beat that.

I've not been impressed with the Optimas (seems like marketing hype to me) but I think it's just as important how you treat your batteries.

[NorCalPR]

After my last optima failed on my Rig, I went to a Die Hard Platinum. 4 year free replacement warranty, 4 years pro rated after that. 220 dollars.

They have a marine Die Hard Platinum, 3 year free replacement warranty. Has the same exact internals as the automotive DHP. Only difference is the shorter warranty and it has the screw type posts as well.

[tg0824SSVGG]

I also had problems with Optima's so don't use them anymore either, but was told they require different charging methods
than other batteries -- need high current charge always, but I don't know that.

The batteries in my Supra and in my camper at this time are all Interstate -- reasonable cost, reasonable charge.

[86 century]

This may sound kinda stupid but the optima's need to be ran down to nothing every year and played with how you are going to use them.

I have had the same 3 red tops for 8 years now.
Oh yea they where all waranty returns when I got them.

[cigars n scotch]

The battery that came with my boat was an Interstate Group 24, and I am going to purchase another for my accessory battery. I am not real knowledgeable on batteries and such like a majority of these other folks are, but I've had no problems thus far. I also don't sit for 3+ hrs. with my stereo on. I posed questions about what I should do regarding batteries and what I should get for a second one and there were so many damn different opinions that no one could definitively give me advice that I felt I could follow. It all seems to be personal preference on brands and such. There was no consensus.

So, I'm sticking with what I have...

[dickboxers]

Check this you tube video out.

http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/sh...Optima-battery

I picked optima because alot of people use them for long periods, but looking at something earlier today i found you need to pay attention to the numbering system. For example the blue top 34 is only recomended for starting where as the 34M is recomended for both starting and deep cycle. I bount mine from a auto parts store so i probably only have the one for starting. I am going to try what the guy does in this video. I will let y'all know how it goes.

[dickboxers]

Well, the trick didn't work. It did get it up to 9.63 volts where just the regular charger wouldn't. I guess my battery is just messed up.

[rtpaxton2]

I spoke to a battery company and found out that Optima was bought out a few years ago. When they got bought out the quality of their batteries began to suffer greatly! If you have some older Optimas then you probably have a good battery, but the newer ones are "crap" (according to the battery companies). This company used to stock them and recommend them to customers. After the Optima buy out they said the quality was crap and they finally stopped stocking and selling them.

IMO... Go with an Absorbent Glass Matt (AGM) battery. They are better designed to withstand the beating of running accross the water, and they "gas off" less than a standard lead acid battery. If you keep your batteries in the same compartment with the stereo equipment that means you don't have to worry so much about the hydrogen sulfide gas eating your expensive electronics. AGM batteries are also sealed and in a "gel" state so if you crack the case you don't have to worry about battery acid going every where. You can also mount them upside down if you chose and don't have to worry about them leaking. AGM will cost you more than a standard battery, but IMO it's worth the money.

The only thing you have to decide is what size you want.... 24, 27, 31?