New Batteries, Optima?

This battery is the same as the PC 2150 ST-M from Odyssey except one less year warranty and less expensive. Sears says $250 with exchange, I got a price from Odyssey $325 no exchange because they are shipping them to me from S. FL. But if you look at the specs, they are exactly the same. Odyssey makes the batteries for Sears from what I understand. Can't get confirmation of that, but that is what I understand from others I have talked to.:huh:
 
I have used Interstate batterys for years. yes you do have to check them and add water. I think the trick is a good battery charger. I have Charles 3 step I think it is. Then I used less water. I also think it is good to get in the hole just to check things out. But thats just me the putz nut. I'm going to the water this afternoon....

Rick
 
trit21 said:
This battery is the same as the PC 2150 ST-M from Odyssey except one less year warranty and less expensive. Sears says $250 with exchange, I got a price from Odyssey $325 no exchange because they are shipping them to me from S. FL. But if you look at the specs, they are exactly the same. Odyssey makes the batteries for Sears from what I understand. Can't get confirmation of that, but that is what I understand from others I have talked to.:huh:
Click to expand...

Bought mine last year for that price, and I just ordered them online and picked them up at Sears on the way home from work. They had them waiting for me and no exchange was required. Still got the old one in the garage....
 
I'll admit I am very partial to AGM batteries now. Here's what I put in my boat a few years ago:

http://www.apexbattery.com/mk-8a8d-agm-agm-marine-battery-group-8d-marine-batteries.html

Note they weigh over 150 pounds a piece... if you have ever picked up a 158 pound battery, you know what "back breaking" means. I have 4 of these things on the boat and 2 of them are in front of the engines under the salon and they have to be walked under the floor to get there.

The first time I replaced the batteries on the 480 DB, I used flooded cell batteries only to have one die a year later because I ran it down a couple times. Replacing these things is too hard... I kinda like the Ronco oven approach... "set it and forget it."
 
I want to say thank you to all that contributed with answers, very helpful. Seems like it boils down to this, AGM if you anker out a lot, and wet cells are ok if you don't. Thanks

To David I have the boat at Crowne Point Marina in Gloucester right now, moving it York River Yacht Haven in April, my email is Thorleif.B@hotmail.com.
Thanks Thor
 
Thor said:
I want to say thank you to all that contributed with answers, very helpful. Seems like it boils down to this, AGM if you anker out a lot, and wet cells are ok if you don't. Thanks
Click to expand...

You all Southerners sure do talk funny…..:grin:

I’m sorry I just could not help myself.
 
A little late here but second the AGMs. Mine are not easy to get to for service but then I have never been down there other than to wet mop that area of the bilge to keep it looking good. No way would I spend the time to keep the water levels up...just too much of a pain. We do anchor out a lot and so far the batteries are still going very strong. I did email Tiara last fall to get replacement info re: size, output etc. They are going to go at some point but I do not believe it will be in 2010. When the first one starts to falter,all four will get replaced with OEM. Can't recall the brand, but they are sold at West Marine and they are pricey at around $300 plus. I used to get 3-4 seasons from flooded cells. The extra service life and lack of required checking makes them worth the bucks for me.
 
My late addition: I bought 4 Sears DieHard Platinum Marine batteries (PM1-31M) two years ago. Three of them are still like new but I found one was dead during my overhaul project. I took it to Sears and they scanned the barcode, put it on the tester and handed me a new battery no questions asked.

The three year replacement warranty worked for me. Here's hoping it was an ananomoly and the remaining three keep on plugging along for a couple more years.
 
Another vote for the sears Batteries. Do a side by side comparison and the Sears batteries Really shine . Also sears has store sales all the time . I bought mine last year and I think i paid under 200 bucks a battery for 31's ... I bought 7 and have zero issues.

Rob
 
I learned many years ago that I was not a battery expert. For twenty eight years I have used a local battery distributor to put batteries in our fork trucks. I use a local (Milwaukee ) battery distributor. They also sell direct. We paid $ 50.00 for delivery and installation at our marina. That was the total for install on six batteries! We put in two Exide Orbital w/ Blemished cases for the thruster and four House Brand AGM's also Blemished case. They were all under $ 100.00 each. Once they understood we were replacing a few, They some how came up w/ 6 blemished cases for us. These guys stand behind their work w/ warranties just as good as Sears and did the install on the spot. That earned the delivery install guy a $ 40.00 tip! Might be worth a try as these guy really are the experts.
 
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