Optima Blue Top Battery

[4123]

Speaking of deep cycle batteries, does anyone have an opinion or experience with the Optima Blue Top Batteries? Are they worth the extra money? Do they indeed charge faster, last longer etc. like they advertise? Thanks, Ron

[Shadow Catcher]

They are an AGM battery and from what I see performance is what you get from most/some AGM. I am using a Lifeline/Concord AGM as my research tells me it is superior. http://www.dcbattery.com/lifeline2.html vs. http://www.dcbattery.com/optima_blue.html
The Lifeline is DOD, FAA, certified.

[planovet]

I don't have anything to compare to and I've only had it a year but I like my blue top. No troubles at all and it holds a charge well.

[alffink]

I am no battery expert, but the Optima has been the standard that all other AGM's have been judged by for several years, if the Lifeline stands up to the manufacturers hype, and the price is comparable, sounds like a good battery.

I have a good friend that works for a pupose built battery company, that does not sell to the public, but to the large Golfcart and Wheel chair manufacturers, he says that there is a lot of new technology going to the new wet acid batteries and we will be seeing several new batteries in the next year or so from the well known battery companies so look a little deeper when you need a new battery. There are a few new batteries out there that are begining to have similar specs as the large 6VDC's but in a more compact 12VDC package....one of the things I'm going to watching for at the next CES in January, oh that's the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

[emiller]

I use the Lifeline also and has performed great. 105ah

[tonyj]

I am on my second having experienced a dead cell on my first. Got a little over a year on the first and am at about a year and a half on the second.

[Dale M.]

There is also these guys.....

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/

They have many different sizes and options, can eve be used laying on side or ( I think) upside down...... Like the Optima, they are not cheap....

Dale

[Larwyn]

Mine has been trouble free for about 3 years so far.

[jeep_bluetj]

Offroaders _love_ optima batteries. I've got one in my Jeep, and one in the tent trailer.

Biggest reasons are:

1. Can be mounted in any position. (the one in the trailer is lying on it's side)
2. They're far more durable than a standard battery -- i.e. less chance of shorted/dead cells due to vibration.

[asianflava]

I've had my blue top for about 3 years, no problems. I bought it at Sam's club.

[wlooper89]

I do not have anything to compare but have used a Fullriver FR 31 for three years without problem. 110 AH and sealed AGM. This shop in Miami had free shipping when I bought it. They also sell Optima and Lifeline. Maybe a good web site for a price check.

http://www.dcbattery.com/fullriver.html

The Fullriver battery is designed for RV and may have more cranking amps than one needs for a trailer. Just the total AH and deep-cycle capability are best in a trailer, I believe, because there is a trade-off between cranking amps and deep-cycle.

AGM can take a higher charge voltage than gel cell and are less likely to be damaged that way. Wet cell is good too but needs service and can leak.

Deep-cycle batteries tend to be heavy because of the more solid lead plates. So maybe take a look at the battery weight to be sure it is something you want to physically move around for the install, or have a friend or son who can help with that.

Bill

[kartvines]

I also have one in my Scad-A-Bout and was really surprised when I went to do some work inside the trailer after a year from the last charge it still had enough charge to light up the inteior. I found that really remarkable.

[chukar]

I have had and abused a bluetop for 4 years and no problems so far.

[Gary and Cheri]

Mine is two years old and have had no problems. I mainly bought mine because I wanted to keep it in a tongue box and I was concerned about off-gassing associated with the normal batterys. The Optima is supposed to have minimum off-gassing and be safer when not vented as well.

Gary

[afreegreek]

I have two in my live in camper van. bought them in mid 2007 and they see constant daily use. my power source is a 15 amp extension cord that powers a heater or air-conditioner (depending on the season) my 24" imac, modem, cell phone charger, VOIP box and cordless phone, and a few other little things plus a battery charger. this gives me the power to run the fan, the lights and my stereo (100 watt amp and the 'deck') from the batteries. the batteries are constantly being charged and being drawn from at the same time pretty much 24/7. so far, so good.

they seem to be better than my old Interstate wet cell deep cycle batteries I had before. they were more expensive though by about 50%