View Full Version : Would you use an Optima for a Starting Battery?
darin
02-25-2009, 06:52 AM
Just wondering if it's worth $200 to get one of those dual purpose Optima's or what... I need a good starting battery that can handle all my other electricals and turn over my 200 hp EFI... Any thoughts? I know there are tons of threads on this, and I read some... but thought I'd put this out anyway.
lundeepv
02-25-2009, 07:14 AM
I looked into Optimas a couple times, did the math, life expectancy etc. and found it is still cheaper to go with the good ol' fashioned lead acids. I tried going cheap a couple times with Walmart specials and found out you get what you pay for. I want to try maintenance free real soon after the current batteries I have give up the ghost as messing with the water levels in them is becoming harder as I get older and they eye sight gets worse.
Matt V
02-25-2009, 07:48 AM
I use Optima battery's in my boat. I just sold my old boat last year with the original Optima's in it (6 year's old) and they were still running strong. I have Optima's in my new boat also. I have been very happy with them so far. But, I get the employee discount on them which is half of what they cost new.
darin
02-25-2009, 08:54 AM
So what is the best bang for your buck on a maintenance free battery? Seems like everything is upwards of almost $200... Is that what I gotta spend?
darin
02-25-2009, 09:11 AM
I just checked on Merurymarine.com and there site says I only need 630 CCA to start my engine. I'm wondering if I should just get a group 24...
San Chan
02-25-2009, 09:19 AM
Just wondering if it's worth $200 to get one of those dual purpose Optima's or what... I need a good starting battery that can handle all my other electricals and turn over my 200 hp EFI... Any thoughts? I know there are tons of threads on this, and I read some... but thought I'd put this out anyway.
I looked real hard into the Optima's 3 years ago but can't justify the cost of it. The Spec shows that I will paying more money for a Heavier and Lower RCs mins Battery to run my "Toys" on the boat. (Comparing Deka 27M6 and Optima D31M). Maybe I am cheap.
Jim Carroll
02-25-2009, 01:57 PM
Optima's are GREAT starting batteries. Superfast recharge, which is important for charging with the alternator when running between fishing spots. No checking water levels, no terminal corrosion, no leaks. Vibration resistant, long lasting, and lightweight, these batteries can sit uncharged for up to 6 months and still start your engine.
Optima's are just a lot more reliable than a conventional lead/acid battery, which is why they are so widely used in commercial fleets like ambulances and police cars. I'm on the water over 100 days a year, I've never ran out of power or had a dead battery on the water.
Jim Carroll NPAA #13
It's my understanding the Optima type battery holds charge at a high level longer, before dropping off to a lower voltage.
I didn't say lasts longer - it's all about the voltage level, and how that voltage level is maintained at or very near it's peak prior to falling to lower levels during discharge.
A lead acid battery starts dropping voltage immediately.
When an Optima starts showing lower voltage, it falls quickly. A lead acid battery starts dropping immediately, over an extended period of time it will reach discharge level. If you were to graph it, the Optima would be very flat, and then fall off a cliff. The lead acid battery would be more of a steady downward slope.
Some of the newer engines require Optima type batteries - that's because they are voltage sensitive.
Hopefully my feeble attempt at explaining makes some sense.