OPTIMA batteries?

LeslieandNorm

Waiting to take delivery on our CS-S in March/April.  Have a chance to get an Optima battery.  Anyone have experience with them?  So many yellow top models.  What is a good one to get?  I have someone who would buy the factory battery to offset the cost.

rfuss928

I have a pair of Optima Blue Top D31M that are beginning their seventh season in our 2009 DM CS.  Very happy with them.  Absolutely no maintenance the whole time.  That model fit the original (interior) battery box.

wizard1880

They're low maintenance, but they also have low capacity.  Their group 24 has only 55 ah, where a typical flooded interstate of the same size and a third the price holds 80 ah.  All depends on your priorities.

Cyclonic

LeslieandNorm said:

Waiting to take delivery on our CS-S in March/April.  Have a chance to get an Optima battery.  Anyone have experience with them?  So many yellow top models.  What is a good one to get?  I have someone who would buy the factory battery to offset the cost.

Just a note, last I knew the factory does not ship the units with a battery, that is provided by the dealer.

I have the same as @rfuss928 though only a single battery, but I've not had it too long.  Except for my wife killing it once (I was not happy, long story) I have been pretty happy with it.

LeslieandNorm

rfuss928 - you chose blue top over yellow and I see why.  What charger/maintainer do you use?  Again, thanks to all for your response.

Estancio

I've used both Red and Yellow Optima batteries in tow vehicles. Yellow top was a huge disappointment as it died exactly at the end of it's 3 year warranty. Will never get another one of those. I have gotten as much as 12 years on the Optima Red top batteries. I'll stick with those for now.....

rfuss928

LeslieandNorm said:

rfuss928 - you chose blue top over yellow and I see why.  What charger/maintainer do you use?  Again, thanks to all for your response.

I use a BatteryMinder maintainer and charger.  It is one of the premium brands available that has a desulphation process built in.

http://www.tab-rv.com/forum#/discussion/4218/great-deal-on-batteryminder-maintainer-24

manny

LeslieandNorm,  I have a 2017 CS-s max T@b  the two way frig runs on 12v  when hooked up to shore power no problem..  I`m to looking to upgrade   looking at Trojan mod. 1260 or 1275..   lots of amp hours... a true deep cycle..   no cranking amps ....   dealer installed interstate grp 24 ok for now...

wizard1880

If you choose to use an Optima, the color of the case, not the lid, is crucial.  Gray colored bodies signify a deep cycle, while black ones are starter batteries.  Deep cycles are slower to charge and don't put out as much current, but they will last 100x longer when discharged to 50%. The top color usually designates purpose such as marine or auto, and has different terminals.

That said, I bought a red top starter battery back in 2002 for my home made generator project, and kept it stored most of the time.  It spent a few months in various cars, etc, and it was kept on a battery tender always.  I just recently used it as a core charge for my golf cart battery setup last fall, and it was still in perfect shape.  They will last forever if cared for!

Deltaboy59

Walmart...cheapest group 24...80 bucks...3 years later...still going strong....no maintenance...keep plugged up continuously in my T@B....just wanted to get a good baseline on cheap batteries before I decided whether something like Optima would be a good investment...

Nomad

Know a full-timer with triple 12 volts (group-31) that swears by Walmart batteries

Joe

I had a bay boat for 15 years on the Texas coast and used two optima batteries for the 24 volt trolling motor.  I was not impressed.  Of course the saltwater environment and heat on the Texas coast are brutal.  In my opinion the optima batteries didn't hold up as well as others.  I have had good luck with Interstate.  I have had no experience with Walmart batteries.

LeslieandNorm

Thanks for the discussion.  Have had a g24 ra investmentWal-Mart for 5 years still going strong. Really only use it for my electric trolling motor twice a year for a Canadian fishing trip.  Keep it inside and charge it every 60 days.  Thought was the optima would be better in the TAB. Maybe not worth the extra investment

Mouseketab

I put in a group 31 Blue Top Optima in my Dutchmen Clamshell at my last replacement. It's been really good so far.