Topic: Battery Time?

[FourbangerYJ]

What I like about the brass terminals is having zero,zip,nada signs of corrosion on the cables or anything. It's been nice not having to mess with that. On the other 2 auto's we have it's always a hassle. I am using those felt pads with some spray on grease stuff that is supposed to keep the corrosion away but it always comes back after cleaning them up. Not sure the brass is the key or what but it's nice not having a mess!

[Jeffy]

What I like about the brass terminals is having zero,zip,nada signs of corrosion on the cables or anything. It's been nice not having to mess with that. On the other 2 auto's we have it's always a hassle. I am using those felt pads with some spray on grease stuff that is supposed to keep the corrosion away but it always comes back after cleaning them up. Not sure the brass is the key or what but it's nice not having a mess!

Never had corrosion issues with my Optima either.  Although unless you're using copper terminals on your cables, have to watch out for galvanic corrosion.  Not really a big deal though.

[Bounty Hunter]

Yellow and Blue are the same except the blue has threaded posts.

Yes and no.  There are 2 bluetops available, one is the same starting/deep cycle as the yellow top, the other is strictly a deep cycle battery not suited well for automotive use.  I believe mine is the D34M.

[YJWralph]

Optima Bluetop, similar to the yellow with the addition of 2 stainless studs on top.

I got a Optima yellow top for free last year.  A bit larger than your regular automotive battery, and it had threaded studs on top.  I'm thinking it may have been the marine version.  It seemed to hold a charge so we tried it out.  After a bit of semi-mild wheeling, my rig stunk like rotten eggs, and if it were a regular battery instead of a gel one, it would have boiled over.  I now know why it was free.  My next battery will still be an Optima yellow top, but it's gonna be brand new with warranty...  And for automotive use.

[jfrabat]

Mine has some threads in the front (for additional posts, I guess!).

[Jeffy]

Mine has some threads in the front (for additional posts, I guess!).

Those are for the screw in type terminals or you can get adapters that give you threaded posts to use it in a marine application or just add accessories.  Just be careful if you use a high amp draw accessory like a winch.  Optima gives a warning about using a winch on the side posts.

[jfrabat]

Those are for the screw in type terminals or you can get adapters that give you threaded posts to use it in a marine application or just add accessories.  Just be careful if you use a high amp draw accessory like a winch.  Optima gives a warning about using a winch on the side posts.

Yeah, i read that one...  I dont use mine at all.

[Jeffy]

Yeah, i read that one...  I dont use mine at all.

I use mine for all the accessories.  I really should clean it up and add an AUX, fuse box but it's extra $$ that won't really change anything other then make it look cleaner.

[jfrabat]

I use mine for all the accessories.  I really should clean it up and add an AUX, fuse box but it's extra $$ that won't really change anything other then make it look cleaner.

I used military connetors for the battery, and that helped a lot.  Also added a 6 fuse holder (marin type) under the hood (still got 3 left for other stuff).

[Jeffy]

I used military connetors for the battery, and that helped a lot.  Also added a 6 fuse holder (marin type) under the hood (still got 3 left for other stuff).

I'd like to get a Marine battery since they have the threaded bolt already.  Although I have noticed the Standard Diehard Platinum has a 4 year and 100 month pro-rate while the Platinum Marine only has a 3 year warranty.  A bit of a gyp since they are the same battery with different posts.  Gonna have to decide if the posts are worth the 1 year less warranty.

[easyup]

When we last bought our bass boat trolling battery I was told the marine battery was best for use in low current (trolling motor) drains not for high current such as winching use or some of the Hollywood jeeps I see/hear with mega bass sound systems and blinding lights, and so the marine might not have the life expectancy.  Anyone have experience?
Also my Sears special on the 3478dt has ended but they the marine batteries are now on special.

[Jeffy]

When we last bought our bass boat trolling battery I was told the marine battery was best for use in low current (trolling motor) drains not for high current such as winching use or some of the Hollywood jeeps I see/hear with mega bass sound systems and blinding lights, and so the marine might not have the life expectancy.  Anyone have experience?
Also my Sears special on the 3478dt has ended but they the marine batteries are now on special.

There are typically two types of Deep Cycle batteries.  Starting/Deep-Cycle and the standard Deep-Cycle.  Starting can be used as everyday battery.  Deep-cycles are designed so they can be drained and recharged often.  Regular batteries like to be full or close to it all the time.  They don't want to be discharged and start to degrade when it happens often.

The two I'm looking at are:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850134000P

and

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850090000P

[sharpxmen]

There are typically two types of Deep Cycle batteries.  Starting/Deep-Cycle and the standard Deep-Cycle.  Starting can be used as everyday battery.  Deep-cycles are designed so they can be drained and recharged often.  Regular batteries like to be full or close to it all the time.  They don't want to be discharged and start to degrade when it happens often.

The two I'm looking at are:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850134000P

and

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850090000P

so what made you change your mind from Optima?

[Jeffy]

so what made you change your mind from Optima?

Optima has had problems way back when they were bought out by Johnson Control.   This happened in 2000.  I bought my Optima in 1998 si I had heard and seen some of the problems.  Since the change in ownership Optimas were no longer made in Colorado.  I think they are now made in Mexico.  There were many accounts of batteries failing early.  Only after 2 years.  I had forgotten about Odyssey though.  Odyssey Batteries is one of Optima's prime competitors but they were always more expensive.  Although the Group 34 isn't much more then a deep-cycle.  Now compared to a Red-Top they still are expensive.

[sharpxmen]

Optima has had problems way back when they were bought out by Johnson Control.   This happened in 2000.  I bought my Optima in 1998 si I had heard and seen some of the problems.  Since the change in ownership Optimas were no longer made in Colorado.  I think they are now made in Mexico.  There were many accounts of batteries failing early.  Only after 2 years.  I had forgotten about Odyssey though.  Odyssey Batteries is one of Optima's prime competitors but they were always more expensive.  Although the Group 34 isn't much more then a deep-cycle.  Now compared to a Red-Top they still are expensive.

just briefly read the description of the ones you posted, didn't say you can use them in any position, that's why i was asking - i will need to buy a second battery and was thinking either blue or yellow (have a red top on currently and i need a second one for cooler and such). I can only have the battery on it's side with the way i have them setup