In another 6 months or so I will be entering the 2-3 year period since a battery replacement, and I usually just keep my eyes open for good deals and pick one up when I find one, whether my current battery is near death or not.

I previously thought that deep cycle batteries could not put out the CCAs to start the engine consistently on cold mornings, but I've come across two deep cycles (Optima and Tsunami) which report 750 CCAs, not to mention an RC of over 100 minutes, and a reported lifetime 3 to 4 times longer than conventional car batteries.

What is everyone's opinion of these?

 

Optima does not recomend deep cycle for automotive use. Go with the standard red top.

 

I don't see why automotive use would be any more demanding on it than marine use? I mean, often boat engines sit for longer periods of time draining it, crank for longer periods of time trying to start an old marine engine, and often have to endure the same (if not harsher) winters as a car... And what about their use in motor homes? (I know, I know... often, motor homes use one of each, but often they don't too)

I'm not being sarcastic, just questioning the reasoning... I'm curious...

-Joe-

 

I'm a fisherman and have three batteries on my boat. One normal type battery to start the motor and two deep cycle batteries to run the trolling motor. The trolling motor will drain those two batteries in a day. I then recharge them and go out next time with fresh batteries. That's what they are made for. The big motor's battery cranks the motor and runs the few accessories - it gets recharged by the alternator as I run up and down the lake. Yeah, it sits about 75% of the time, but it will last me more than two years if I keep the water levels up.

 

Deep cell batteries are designed to be ran down to nothing. If you don't run it down to nothing it will remember that. After awhile it won't go down to it's lowest usable rate anymore. Then when you need it it won't be there. The guy with the boat has the right set up. Also motorhomes usually have two batteries. One for the engine and the other for all the 12VDC accesories that are in it.

 

HI!... I went with a OPTIMA "yellow top" DEEP CYCLE battery in my truck. I kept killing the factory battery at the dragstrip, when I run my electric fans to cool down the truck. A normal battery will only take a few TOTAL dis-charges and then it won't hold much amps after that. That's what happened to mine. I went down to a buddy of mine that own's a performance shop and told him what was happening. He suggested the OPTIMA "YELLOW TOP" for my application. The battery lists for $386.00(CAN) but he gave it to me at his cost of $215.00(CAN). Still a very expensive battery! Mine is rated at 850 CCA's but when it was tested, it peaked over 1000 CCA's. It has a 120 minute reserve capacity and can be totally dis-charged over 350 times and still go back to complete FULL power. I've had this battery in for a while now with NO PROBLEMS what so ever! It's a great battery and I recommend it to anyone.

 

I have an Optima yellow top in my Jeep Wrangler in part to help run my Ramsey winch. It's an outstanding battery and works very well in an automotive application. I used to have an Optima red top in my '99 Ranger and it was also an excellent battery. One of the many advantages of Optima batteries is that they charge approximately twice as fast as regular lead/acid batteries, therefore putting less of a load on the alternator. I don't have one in my F-150 but will have soon. I got mine for $135. It's the only way to go as far as I'm concerned. They look great and don't spill acid all over the place.

 

When i was in the Marine Corps the only battery they used on all the heavy gear was the Optima red top.We never had a problem with the batteries,even when we had cold weather training in Alaska.
Ever since then i've been sold on the optima red top.I've had one in my F-250 since 1996 w/ no problems.

http://hometown.aol.com/dvldog458/myhomepage/auto.html