Looking for comments re BlueTop Optima

[hwitten]

When it's time to replace my 55AH marine deep cycle I'm considering the D31M Optima. Seeing conflicting reports. Actually many reports say "stay away" but one has to take that with a grain of salt as usually only dissatisfied folks post/complain.

Anyone here using Optima? Perhaps D31M even?
My battery lives inside, hence plan to go AGM of some manufacturer.

Heinz

[Shadow Catcher]

Get a true deep cycle battery and if you want an AGM go for a Lifeline. The Optima reputation comes from moving manufacture to Mexico and when you hear that many complaints there is likely good reason. Optima does not make a true deep cycle, the blue is a dual purpose.

[Dale M.]

An alternative to OPTIMA....

http://www.odysseybattery.com/

Many sizes to choose from...

Dale

[planovet]

I've had an Optima blue top for over 4 years now, no problems what so ever.

[Dale M.]

I've had an Optima blue top for over 4 years now, no problems what so ever.

IS it marked for "country of origin"...

Dale

[Shadow Catcher]

I spent most of my working career in the nondestructive testing end of quality control and I think many have figured out I am a bit obsessive about good/high quality products. Batteries are a perennial issue here and on other RV forums.
http://www.batteryfaq.org tells you who makes what battery, Optima is made by Johnson Controls who makes about a third of all batteries and their products run from low end up, how high is open to debate.
http://www.solar-electric.com/deep-cycl ... y-faq.html has a good over view of the science.
One of the problems is that what may well have lasted, years ago, has changed to who knows what.

Known good quality deep cycle (very few complaints)
Rolls http://www.rollsbattery.com
Concord/lifeline http://www.lifelinebatteries.com

[hwitten]

Thanks for all the additional info. Info is definitely helping in planning for next camping season. Winter trips will be with power available and/or just single overnights but next summer I'm hoping/planning for a return trip to Quebec and Atlantic Provinces, hopefully armed with a bit of French this time. School starts next month

[Bogo]

Not only did Optima change manufacturing plants, but they also changed the makeup of the plates and separators to a much less costly design. The old Optimas could be abused. I'm now hearing that if you over discharge new ones, they can be permanently damaged the first time, and may need a very high amp charger to revive them.

[d120]

thats pretty much what happened to my last red optima,not satisfied,got me a sears diehard platinum,Ive been much happier with it

[working on it]

Not only did Optima change manufacturing plants, but they also changed the makeup of the plates and separators to a much less costly design. The old Optimas could be abused. I'm now hearing that if you over discharge new ones, they can be permanently damaged the first time, and may need a very high amp charger to revive them.

I must've been lucky recharging my deeply discharged Yellowtop. It was down to 6.5vdc, and with guidance from this forum, brought it all the way back. Never went over 15amps to bring it back (I used my big charger at first, then changed to an AGM specific charger for successive steps in the process). I hadn't thought it possible. Now it stays at 12.8vdc. Haven't camped with it yet...time will tell.

[jstrubberg]

Five years ago, an offroader not using an Optima was laughed at as a weekend warrior.

Now, offroaders shun them like the plague. The Optima has gone from top of the heap to the bottom.

[jonw]

I must've been lucky recharging my deeply discharged Yellowtop. It was down to 6.5vdc, and with guidance from this forum, brought it all the way back. Never went over 15amps to bring it back (I used my big charger at first, then changed to an AGM specific charger for successive steps in the process). I hadn't thought it possible. Now it stays at 12.8vdc. Haven't camped with it yet...time will tell.

I have a Yellowtop as well. It is designed to be more fully discharged and then recharged. One of the differences from the blue and red top models.

[emiller]

Lifeline is the best you can get, They are used also for back on missile silos just in case you have one. I personally always buy the Lifeline.