Optima 12v batteries?

[336muffin]

I'm due for new house batteries and was wondering if anybody is using the Optima 12volt Marine batteries? I've used the Optima cranking batteries in off-road applications with very good success. The blue top Marine version I have no history with though. I have a 42ft American Coach and it is setup from the factory with 4 12volt house batteries that are 6yrs. old and show to be replaced. Any advice is appreciated on this.

[KIX]

I have the Optima Marine deep cycle blue tops..........3 @ 12v. We've not had any issues with them at all BUT.....we rarely are without power and then only an overnight. The amps are just not there with the Optimas. So, if you normally have hook ups you will likely be pleased with the Optima.......if you expect to be without hook ups I suggest a different battery.

[pkunk1]

I've had Optimas and they're a good battery but you can get more amps for the buck with a group 31 AGM from Universal battery.

[BryanL]

An AGM battery like the Optima is very well suited for off-road use as they can handle the bouncing better than wet cell batteries.

But, as for cost effectiveness in an RV, the standard wet cell that is commonly available usually comes out ahead. An AGM may last up to 50% longer than a wet cell but usually cost more than twice as much.

Lead acid batteries have about 12 watt hours of usable energy per pound. Brand, voltage, and other such things are not usually significant issues. Get the batteries to fit the space you have for them from a reputable dealer who offers a good warranty and will stand behind what he sells.

For most RV batteries, the way to best battery life is in taking care of your batteries, especially during storage.

[rgreen45]

The best 6v deep cycle battery on the market is the Trojan. You do need to maintain the proper water level, as with all lead-acid batteries.

[BryanL]

re: "The best 6v deep cycle battery on the market" -- if you can find any objective and useful measure that really supports one single brand or type (or voltage) of battery as normally available for RV service as "best", please let me know.

The amount of money and effort people have spent chasing the battery myths is rather incredible - and rather tragic as well. We don't need to further that waste by continuing to spread such myths, IMHO

It is a good reminder for folks seeking advice about batteries to make sure they don't get snookered by marketing claims and hype. Look for measures and terms that are clearly defined, pertinent for the RV context, and backed by someone willing to put his money on it. Examples are specifications, cost, and warranty.

[Ed-Sommers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanL re: "The best 6v deep cycle battery on the market" -- if you can find any objective and useful measure that really supports one single brand or type (or voltage) of battery as normally available for RV service as "best", please let me know. The amount of money and effort people have spent chasing the battery myths is rather incredible - and rather tragic as well. We don't need to further that waste by continuing to spread such myths, IMHO It is a good reminder for folks seeking advice about batteries to make sure they don't get snookered by marketing claims and hype. Look for measures and terms that are clearly defined, pertinent for the RV context, and backed by someone willing to put his money on it. Examples are specifications, cost, and warranty.

Over many years, Home Power magazine has reported on battery tests that have been performed and Trojan has consistently been at or near the top in performance.

While not a RV mag, I see no difference between home and RV

So, I also think Trojan is the best but just to appease those that despise a statement like that, let me be clear, that is MY opinion, but based on some of the best evidence available - - usage by thousands of people over many decades in off-grid situations.

Ed
1200 watts on the roof
8 batts wired for 24 volts
Vanner equalizer for 12 volt tap
35 foot MCI RV

[wa8yxm]

Optima batteries are a special sub set of AGM batteries designed for very rugged (Physically) service. In a 4-runner or Wave Runner or something like those that goes slamming over ruts/waves/rocks/etc they are the very best battery to have because they are very hard to damage physically.

HOWEVER... For house batteries they simply are not all there,, I mean it, and I can prove it very easily.. LOOK AT THEM,, What do you see.

You see a battery that is 25 percent (rounded) Wasted space (I think i'ts 27 but it's been a while since I did the math)

And sure enough, if you check out the spec sheets.. A group 27 is about 100 amp hours if you go with a standard "Retangular" (Source: Interstate Batteries) type battery, or 66 if you go with an Optima Source: Optima BlueTop Specs - Deep Cycle Blue Top Battery Specifications by Optima

THat link is for the blue top DEEP CYCLE batteries.. It's worse than I thougt.

So you get 2/3 the battery at 3/2 the price.

[two2go]

I was involved with the development of the cylindrical lead-acid batteries in the early 1970's. They were a product of a R&D division of the old Gates Rubber Company in Denver. Gates eventually divested itself of non-rubber and non-automotive products and Optima became the company for the batteries.
The design is a spiral winding of lead anode and cathode plates with a fiberglass separator that absorbs a minimum amount of electrolyte. When you look at the specs for the Optima batteries, you see that they weigh quite a bit less than conventional lead-acid batteries. Less lead and electrolyte means less capacity as you see in the amp-hour ratings. They were designed for discharge and life, so they are better as starting batteries. If you have enough of them, then you have good capacity, but not cost or space effective compared to newer AGMs.

[BryanL]

re: "While not a RV mag, I see no difference between home and RV" -- RV use tends to have long storage intervals and short usage bursts. Home 'alternate power' use is much more even. These factors make a big difference in terms of average cycle depth, charging and use profiles, and reserve capacity utilizations.

Homepower magazine is a good resource but any conclusion of "best" needs a proper consideration of what is being measured and how pertinent it is to a particular context.

If Trojan were indeed "best", shouldn't we see this in their warranties for RV use? Why are Trojan warranties so short compared to other RV batteries on the market? If they had a higher energy density, shouldn't we see this in the specifications (they are the same as any other of the same type)? Shouldn't we be able to see the difference in some objective, meaningful, and measurable criteria?

Appeals to authority and single sources are no substitute for actual measure that someone will put their money on.

As for the Optima, it is the low Peukert coefficient that intrigues me. It is well below that of wet cells and even other AGM's. The impact of this for RV use isn't significant in most cases but I do wonder what it is about that battery that provides this 'advantage.'

[ralper]

4 - 6 volt deep cycle batteries (golf cart) are the way to go for maximum amp hours available to use from fully charged batteries.

[BryanL]

re: "4 - 6 volt deep cycle batteries (golf cart) are the way to go for maximum amp hours" - the myths seem to have a life of their own. It does get frustrating! ;-)

All wet cell lead acid batteries have about the same energy density. If you go by the actual measured specifications you will see that there is no energy storage capacity advantage for a battery of 6v compared to 12v for equivalent size and weight. (batteryuniversity.com is an additional resource on this)

Also, keep in mind that factors such as use profile, age, temperature, and cycle to cycle variation can each have an influence of more than 10% in available energy capacity of a battery. That means that differences of 10% or so in battery energy capacity measures have little significance in practice.

Let's squash the myths! Talk relevant data and measure and things that have objective definitions instead. If you hear something, find good, relevant, objective support you can cite for it before you repeat it - please!!

[joedurrance]

Muyffin,
I am surprise you have 12 V batteries. I and other Tradition owners have 6 volts in our 'house batteries'. Are your 'house batteries" original equipment?
Joe D

[BigV]

I've worked quite a bit will batteries in mostly off-grid use. I've tried Optimas, Crown, Trojan and Trojan RE and have found the best bang for the buck is 6v golf cart batteries.

I use red top Optimas in my vehicles and chassis battery in the MH. I use 6v Costco batteries for everything with an inverter connected.

The Trojan RE batteries are probably the most Ah per sq foot you can get. The are taller than golf cart batteries. If you have vertical space they are a good option. Cost per Ah is not bad.