Community Forums

UFO Pilot · 12-11-2008, 11:38 AM

Our local Costco carries the Optima Blue Tops. I will check out there prices.

Spikester · 12-11-2008, 12:28 PM

Trojan also makes 6V and 12V AGM Batteries.

Spike

UFO Pilot · 12-11-2008, 12:42 PM

I just checked the local Costco, they have the Optima Blue Top for $158 each. That is $100 less than the Lifeline and there are Costco's everywhere in case there is a problem. I have had an Optima Red Top in my 60 Corvette for about 5 years. Is has never given me a problem of any kind.

LVJ58 · 12-11-2008, 01:28 PM

Will two optima 12v deep cycle batteries have the same amount of reserve capacity as two 6v wet cell golf cart batteries??

Gary RVRoamer · 12-11-2008, 02:25 PM

You would have to cite specific battery brands and models to answer that, but here is some data to chew on.

There are three Optima "Blue Top" deep cycles with RC's ranging from 110 to 155, so a pair of them would be in the 220 - 310 minute range. The SC31DM is the best with an RC of 155. A Trojan T105 6v golf cart battery has an RC of 447 but a series pair of them is still 447 (the voltage goes up, but not the amps). Therefore a Trojan T105 6v pair has more than 40% greater RC.

UFO Pilot · 12-11-2008, 02:45 PM

The Optima web site says there is no difference between Blue Tops and Yellow Tops except for terminal post configuration. Am I reading this correctly?

DonavonP · 12-13-2008, 03:58 AM

I think the yellow top is a combination starter/deep cycle. The extra posts on the blue top would be good for permanently attaching a trickle charger.

I'd be interested in your opinion of whichever battery you choose.

UFO Pilot · 12-13-2008, 02:08 PM

This is what I found on the Optima web site:

"Note: Optima Blue Top and Yellow Top batteries of comparable series (for example, the Blue Top D34M compared to the Yellow Top D34) have identical internal construction and identical performance. Post orientation and case color are the only differences between these two lines of Optima deep cycle batteries."

The Blue Tops are $159 and the Yellow Tops are $169 at Costco. You may be right about the post configuration of the Blue Tops being more versatile. I will check out my existing wiring and then decide which ones to buy.

I just replaced my starting battery with a Red Top Optima this morning. Hopefully my starting battery problems are over. At the very least, the Optimas have a 3 year replacement warranty.

UFO Pilot · 12-16-2008, 06:37 PM

I am going with the D31M Blue Top based on the following info from the Optima web site.

"Optima D31M Blue Top Battery: The D31M is Optima's most powerful single-unit Blue Top battery. Like all Optima batteries, the D31M Blue Top offers exceptionally high CCA for its size and boasts 75 amp hours of current storage for long deep-cycling run times. The D31M Blue Top will not off-gas in normal operation, but for complete safety in enclosed spaces its overpressure vent will accept a remote venting tube. The D31M offers the best performance/cost value on the market. It's a stellar performer in virtually any deep cycle battery application, and its Spiralcell AGM construction make it tough as nails... 14x more shock and vibration resistant than conventional batteries."

I will try and remember and come back here to do an evaluation report.

troth · 12-17-2008, 01:45 AM

Wayne, measure your battery tray & height to make sure you can fit the size 31s in there...

UFO Pilot · 12-17-2008, 07:08 AM

I have lots of room.

Forest Grump · 12-21-2008, 11:08 AM

75 + 75 = 150 AH of power which is not much. CCA won't help much when dry camping neither will the 150 AH. Theoretically you should let them discharge only 50 to 70% leaving you very little AH for use. A lot of money for not much value.

If you dry camp I do not think you will find these batteries will meet your needs. You can go to amny of the charts available to calculate how many amp hours you might need per day.

I have 3 12v Trojan wet acid J-185H batteries which are rated at 215 AH each for 650 AH. We are going to Quartzite in January, if I can get down the hill, for a week of dry camping and I may never have to charge them.