Battery Decision

[james21]

I am going to install my dual batt system soon and have already decided to put an Optima Yellow Top in for my secondary batt. But since my stock batt has so much crap tied into it, I was thinking that I might try swaping that out as well and was wondering if there is a problem with swaping it with an Optima Marine Batt, or other marine batt? I read an article in one of the latest "Peterson's 4 Wheel & Offroad" magazine, where they compared 4 different batts, an optima, oddessey, procomp, and something that looked like a half batt . But the Optima and Procomp looked like they had the best specs and fit my needs well. I am just wondering if I can use a Marine batt for starting, or whether I should use the marine as a secondary and get an Optima Redtop or use the yelow as my starting.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced.

-James.

 

[sperry]

I'd look at the spec's closer.. That is the Odyssey specs..
At least you have interest in AGM batteries, but the Odyssey / Hawker Energy battery is a better product; you just have to pay for it!
http://www.odysseybatteries.com

You were interested in Deep Discharge, starter and a safe high rate recharge, the AGM batteries can do that. The quality difference between the Optima and the Odyssey is in the lead purity, again, you have to pay for it!

I've since changed the mounting hardware and finished wiring in the PC1200's (2), but you see that 17AH little guy (PC680) starts the Av!

 

[Mikro Brew]

So,  is this type a battery overkill for a basic stock AV?  ( 02 ftdrl and 4onHigh sail panel lights and cargo/12 volt in bed  only 'electrical mods')  or would this be overkill for the price.  Don't mind paying if its benefits will be used.  (yeah I know its an old post, but saw ya post about the AGM in a more recent thread, and being the good boy I am, I did a search and found this one.)

 

[gpventures]

AGM's are not overkill.  How many and how big depends on your needs (extra accessories & stereo/lighting upgrades), desire for reserve (to run stereo, winch, laptop, etc. with engine off), tolerance for the chance of your vehicle not starting, and wallet.

 

[sperry]

Not overkill. That would be more of a capacity issue.

The group 34 will be out in a few months and it'll likely be a 1500CCA battery. However the capacity is near the same as the OEM. You can see what these batteries can do for the cost. No terminal mess, deep discharge/starter both, 8~12 year service life, wider temperature operation, far more rugged, you name it.

When my granddaughter ran mine down (movies, moving the seat all the time, interior lights on & off, just being a kid..) ...to where the headlights were dimmed enough to notice the battery was low, the battery still started the Av! The OEM or in fact any other battery I had ever had, would ever do that! So it's more like good to the last possible amp.. Another good assurance.

Meanwhile, maybe get a PC1200 (44AH/1200 CCA). Then when the group34 Odyssey is released, move the PC1200 over to an aux battery bracket on the pass side. The bracket is cheap.. and/or install an aux battery switching kit..

The power draw you refer to is something more of an alternator-size issue. Sail panel lights are a negligible draw. And the lows left on during high beams is adding 11~12 amps. That's not really a problem.

An aux outlet depends on what's plugged into it. The battery wouldn't have a problem delivering the needed current, but you need to keep it charged! A load like that wouldn't often be used where it would demand that much from the system. I would still look into an aux battery kit if you go on outings or do occasional field work..