New Batteries, Optima?

[Thor]

Hi Guys
I purchased a 2001 410 Sundancer and the batteries are from 2004 and it is time for replacement, all 5. I don't want to spend a fortune, and there appear to be many options out there. Autoparts store is at the cheap end at 75 dollar for a marine battery, then the other end is way up there at 350 each or so. I like the "no spill" Optima batteries where there are no need to add water. Are they good batteries, or are there other batteries out there that perform better long term?
Thanks Thor

 

[dpmulvey]

Hi Guys
I purchased a 2001 410 Sundancer and the batteries are from 2004 and it is time for replacement, all 5. I don't want to spend a fortune, and there appear to be many options out there. Autoparts store is at the cheap end at 75 dollar for a marine battery, then the other end is way up there at 350 each or so. I like the "no spill" Optima batteries where there are no need to add water. Are they good batteries, or are there other batteries out there that perform better long term?
Thanks Thor

All AGM's are expensive and Optima's are just OK.

Wet cells are Cheaper but require maintenance. Both will last about the same time.

I was in the same predicament last year. I went to Wallie World and got wet cells and a rewatering system. Total cost for 4 batteries and watering systems was ~$480. Just 2 Sears AGM's would have been ~$450 - $500.

 

[Four Suns]

One of the things you need to ask yourself is how you use your boat. If you anchor out at all and/or run down the batteries, there is no way that a flooded cell lead acid battery will last as long as an AGM. If you keep up with the water level and the boat is always at the dock on shore power or running with the alternators keeping the batteries charged then flooded cells will give you decent performance. Just remember if you drain the power on them a few times, they'll lose their performance at a minimum and more than likely be shot. Just because a flooded cell is "cheaper" does not mean it will cost you less money.

 

[KHARRIMAN]

I was in your situation last year...although 3 batts instead of 5... Here is my $.02. Others may not totally agree as how you use your boat and what/how you run may differ

1. Go with AGM.. I believe they are worth the extra money..

2. Optima's are good(so far) but If I had it to do over I'd go all out and get LIFELINE(gp-27?) batts- look at Amp-hour ratings.

3. If you have separate/isolated banks(which you probably do)- I.E.- one bank that just starts motors and generator and one that runs "house" accessories I would get the smallest AGM starting battery that would crank the engines or Gen. Remember- in separate banks this battery will rarely get used,(it will be cheaper) and that will leave more money for good deep-cycle AGM house batts- with high amp/hour ratings.

4. Charging- Any 3-stage newer charger should be able to do the job. Most of the AGM's I researched have a similar charge requirement whether they are starting or deep cycle and a newer style charger should be able to handle them.

 

[fwebster]

I posted this yesterday in another thread, but AGM's have saved me both money and maintenance.

I get 2+ times the life out of AGM's. Buy them right and they cost significantly less than 2X the cost of wet cells. I've had my boat 13 years and have been through several sets of batteries, so I have real data to prove it. My wet cells (Deka/Interstate) only last 18-19 months and the Orbital AGM's have made it 49 moths and 52 months. I use red top starting batteries (about 1000 CCA)....... we are in Florida and use the boat 12 months a year. We anchor out as much as 18 hours at a time without the generator, but we don't run everything on the boat when anchored either.

No maintenance is almost an understatement for AGM's........there is none at all, and I never even look at my batteries until my cranking speed begins to slow down near the end of the AGM's life.

No corrosive/explosive fumes is also an great advantage. Look at the first photo in this thread:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26743

Right under the Halon bottle is a gray box with an oak lid in the open position. This is a battery box I made to replace the OEM plastic trays. I added some tool trays on top of the batteries for hand tools, filter wrenches, spares, etc. After 12 years in that position, my tools still show no corrosion.......you could never do that with wet cells.

Right or wrong, I never even considered changing my convertor or resetting it. I just changed to AGM's and went boating. My feeling is that the factory charger setting in my case is adequate given the service life I get out of AGM's and I'm not going to fix something that does not appear to be broken.

I'll never go back to wet cell batteries.

 

[Banagy]

If you go to Costco AGM's are cheaper.

 

[tcason]

I was reseraching this topic and found Optima D34M BlueTop Dual Purpose Battery for $165.00 (ships free from Amazon) - which was best price I could find including shipping.
and compared to
SeaVolt® 12V Deep-Cycle Flooded Marine Battery group 27 from West Marine for $150.00.

It appears that the two batteries are getting close in price and going to Optima would be a "no-brainer".

I believe I will be ready for at least one new battery this year and was thinking about going to two Optima in my 240 Sundeck.

 

[Dave S]

My two wet cell starting batteries lasted less than 24 months before they both got weak in the knees. Being on the hook for longer than an hour would run the battery down sufficiently so it would not start the engine.

I switched to two blue top optima deep cycle batteries which have sufficient power to both start my engine and allow plenty of time on the hook as well. I purchased them from this company which at the time had the best prices I could find. http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/

Dave

 

[Dancin Dave]

my interstate batteries in the 450 were 3 years old when I sold it and during the survey they were found to be 95% or better. Check the water often.

 

[trit21]

I have been looking at the same issue. My interstate battery after 2 yrs went south. I have been looking into Odyssey batteries. 4 year full replacment with a typical life of 6-8 years even in FL. I have been told they will last even longer if you don't run them dead as much as well. Expensive but if they last that long, well worth it. I think I am going to go with a grp 34 instead of the grp 31, to save a little money. They grp 31 is $315 each, grp 34 are $240 each. Still expensive no matter which way you look at it.

http://www.odysseysoutheast.com/

 

[earthmover17]

Man if a guy could believe Odyssey it might be worth the money. My AC guy sells them and has been trying to sell me for 3 years. I just find it hard to believe these batteries will last 10 years.

Jack

 

[hack4alivin]

One of the things you need to ask yourself is how you use your boat. If you anchor out at all and/or run down the batteries, there is no way that a flooded cell lead acid battery will last as long as an AGM. If you keep up with the water level and the boat is always at the dock on shore power or running with the alternators keeping the batteries charged then flooded cells will give you decent performance. Just remember if you drain the power on them a few times, they'll lose their performance at a minimum and more than likely be shot. Just because a flooded cell is "cheaper" does not mean it will cost you less money.

Totally agree….

It depends so much on the way you use your boat. If you are going to spend a lot of time “on the hook” the “starting” batteries that come with your boat are not going to do the job. Maybe if the only load on the batteries is the radio. Load things up with a couple of refrigerators running all night, lights, TV, and god knows what else you have running on DC you are going to wake up to a dead battery. AGM batteries give you the long lasting power of deep cycle batteries, better ability to charge and recover, plus the added benefit of more cold cranking amps. I replaced my OEM supplied group 31 starting batteries that had 700 CCA with the Sears brand AGM batteries that had 1400 CCA each.

The maintenance issues of wet cell verses AGM made no difference to me and I certainly could not justify the additional cost of an AGM battery on maintenance alone. I was however able justify that cost in being able to spend the night anchored out and not have to worry running my batteries dead. One of the best investments I made since buying the boat. ( Not to say that buying the boat was a good "investment"):grin:

 

[Chris R]

Totally agree….

It depends so much on the way you use your boat. If you are going to spend a lot of time “on the hook” the “starting” batteries that come with your boat are not going to do the job. Maybe if the only load on the batteries is the radio. Load things up with a couple of refrigerators running all night, lights, TV, and god knows what else you have running on DC you are going to wake up to a dead battery. AGM batteries give you the long lasting power of deep cycle batteries, better ability to charge and recover, plus the added benefit of more cold cranking amps. I replaced my OEM supplied group 31 starting batteries that had 700 CCA with the Sears brand AGM batteries that had 1400 CCA each.

The maintenance issues of wet cell verses AGM made no difference to me and I certainly could not justify the additional cost of an AGM battery on maintenance alone. I was however able justify that cost in being able to spend the night anchored out and not have to worry running my batteries dead. One of the best investments I made since buying the boat. ( Not to say that buying the boat was a good "investment"):grin:

How are those Die Hard's doing for you? I'm assuming you are talking about the Platinum series? I'm looking hard at those right now. Let me know your thoughts - so far.

 

[hack4alivin]

How are those Die Hard's doing for you? I'm assuming you are talking about the Platinum series? I'm looking hard at those right now. Let me know your thoughts - so far.

Here are the ones I bought, http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...e=Batteries+&+Chargers&sName=Marine+Batteries

They are great, and have been worry free. Last season we spend several nights out at anchor and I left everything on. No need to get up in the middle of the night and run the generator to charges things back up. Before I switched I could not get more than 2 hours on the orginal batteries before they ran down. I had to use the emergency start to get the port engine started before I could even fire up the generator. Major pain in the butt!

I have had some people at my marina tell me "I could buy two batteries for what you paid for one". Well I tell them to go ahead and buy the two, then have fun switching them over in the middle of the night!

 

[trit21]

Man if a guy could believe Odyssey it might be worth the money. My AC guy sells them and has been trying to sell me for 3 years. I just find it hard to believe these batteries will last 10 years.

Jack

I agree, but they do have a full replacement 4 year warranty which is pretty damn good. Price difference from the Diehard are comparable, slightly higher but comparable.

 

[JohnEGraham]

Hi, I added an additonal device to the aux posts on my batteries The loops just fit under the nuts with little room. Does Anyone know if the Optimas / AMGs. post are alteast the same length? (The Boat is winterized so I can't check now)
Thanks John G.

 

[tcason]

Summary of all the batteries listed in thread (tried to select similiar size etc) and APPROXIMATE pricing:

SeaVolt® 12V Deep-Cycle Flooded Marine Battery group 27 from West Marine for $150.00

Optima D34M BlueTop Dual Purpose Battery $165.00

DieHard Marine Battery, Platinum PM-1 - Group Size 31M $250.00 (maybe same as Odyssey below)

Odyssey battery PC1500MS 34M-PC1500 $250.00

Lifeline GPL-31T $270.00

Looks like I will be going with the Optima D34M on my Sundeck, I just cannot justify the extra $100 per battery for the next level up BUT I do not spend time on the "hook" running refrigeators and etc.

I have always used a wet cell (combination Starting/Deep Cycle from West Marine (cheap)) and just looking to install a battery that will last longer than two seasons and a battery I don't worry about over the winter.

 

[dpmulvey]

Thor,

Where in Williamsburg are you. Just curious. I am at Rivers Rest on the Chick.

I should have posted this prior or in conjunction with my first post.

You have a while before a full season is upon us. As a matter of fact we are supposed to get another several inches of global warming dumped on us this weekend.

Consider purchasing Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual by Nigel Calder. I believe 2005 is the latest edition. To me Calder's book is the Chapman's of shipboard electrical and is a must have in every boaters library.

He points out the pros and con's of AGM's vs. wet cell vs. Gel (not many if any of those around any more). What he teaches in the first chapter alone is worth the $32 for the book. Rather than throw in batteries, you will be able to analyze the 12V side of your boat as a system within the entire electrical system and as others have said here, tailor it to your needs.

Good luck.

 

[Chris R]

Here are the ones I bought, http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...e=Batteries+&+Chargers&sName=Marine+Batteries

They are great, and have been worry free. Last season we spend several nights out at anchor and I left everything on. No need to get up in the middle of the night and run the generator to charges things back up. Before I switched I could not get more than 2 hours on the orginal batteries before they ran down. I had to use the emergency start to get the port engine started before I could even fire up the generator. Major pain in the butt!

I have had some people at my marina tell me "I could buy two batteries for what you paid for one". Well I tell them to go ahead and buy the two, then have fun switching them over in the middle of the night!

Thanks Bill. I have had the same annoying issue you talk about- 2 hours max and run genny to get them going again.

Here is the one I'm looking at: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850131000P?vName=Automotive&cName=Batteries+%26+Chargers&sName=Marine+Batteries

Did you have to do anything to your on-board charger? I've heard both sides of the argument.

 

[hack4alivin]

Thanks Bill. I have had the same annoying issue you talk about- 2 hours max and run genny to get them going again.

Here is the one I'm looking at: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...e=Batteries+&+Chargers&sName=Marine+Batteries

Did you have to do anything to your on-board charger? I've heard both sides of the argument.

No, the charger is fine; just make sure you replace the batteries in pairs. In my case I left the two wet cells on the starboard side alone and replaced the two batteries on the port side with the AGM’s. My house accessories all run off the port side batteries and they are the ones that would fail. I would have to start the starboard engine, and then use the emergency start button to fire up the port engine. Then I could start the generator. When my two batteries on the starboard side give out I will replace them with the AGMs as well. There is not much of a load on the starboard side batteries, just the engine and some of the helm electronics so that side is not as big an issue. The charger has separate outputs for the starboard pair and the port side pair. BTW, the batteries you have the link to are the ones I bought.