OTIMA BATTERIES
Submitted: Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 19:52
ThreadID:
20151
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5702
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6
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4
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Druers
G'day,
I am looking to install an Optima Battery in my Jayco Camper to run my fridge and lights. I have been to 3 different retailers and had 3 different reccommendations as to which battery I should install. I am looking for help from those that may have installed this type of battery in their rigs. Should I go the Yellow Top, Red Top or the Blue Top type battery ?? Any advice would be most helpful.
Thanks.
Reply By: Phils - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 20:09
Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 20:09
Druers,
It is my belief that all camel herders should use the yellow top as it has more canking amps to get the lazy camels up off their arses in the morning.
One side of the jumper lead on each testie and they are assured to get up going.
Catch
Phil
AnswerID:
96848
Reply By: Member - Raymond - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 20:17
Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 20:17
Hi Druers
I had a look at the Optima range and found for the storeage capacity they were very expensive, ended up get a 90 AMPH from
http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/ which was about 1/2 price of the optima
Ray
AnswerID:
96851
Reply By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 23:41
Saturday, Feb 05, 2005 at 23:41
Optima are very expensive for what they are ie a sealed battery.
You can get an AGM battery, 100 amp, Remco $250 or Lifeline $350 or Fullriver $300, that will do a better job for a lot less money.
The Optimas are only 55 amp for the basic ones or 75 amp for their premium job.
I suggest you call Federal Batteries in
Sydney on their 13.... number. Very helpful.
Cheers,
Jim.
AnswerID:
96886
Follow Up By: Member - Ross P (NSW) - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 10:52
Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 10:52
Jimbo,
My second battery, an 80 AH deep cycle one, (in the 4by - I also have a deepcycle in the caravan) has just failed after about 14 mths. Symtoms are low voltage and boiling after a long drive. (4 to 5 hours mostly freeway at speed.)
Can I use an AGM battery as a second battery in the car which as a stanadard wet cell cranking battery as
well as deepcycle battery in the van. The second battery and the caravan battery are separated from the cranking battery by Sure Smart Isolator.
FollowupID:
355684
Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 17:52
Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 17:52
Ross,
I believe so, but give the bloke at Federal Batteries in
Sydney, he has a 13..... no in the yellow pages, a ring. I think he is at Ryde. He can also supply or put you in touch with one of his agents.
Cheers,
Jim.
FollowupID:
355745
Reply By: JR - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 10:17
Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 10:17
Druers,
Optima are expensive but the assumption they are just a sealed battery is wrong. Coiled plates and low internal discharge make them worth the money. I have two Yellow tops in parrallel in a 4by for three years now,fridge, winch, jumpstarting large machinery etc etc. still working
well. Previously tried a few different deep cycle, high output and Servere service types best I could get is just out of warranty, 12 mths. The bad bit is they tend to just "collapse", without warning, leaving you stuffed
These batteries are worth every penny I reckon if not just for the reliability I've had
Yellow tops seem to me to be the best for vehicles and vans, blue only has SSteel fittings, red is a cheaper option just for starting only
Go yellow
Regards
JR
AnswerID:
96912
Follow Up By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 10:40
Sunday, Feb 06, 2005 at 10:40
Agree JR,
My wording "sealed battery" was poor, and you are right, they are much more than just a sealed battery.
However, they will not do anything that a bigger capacity AGM will do for less money. Eg, Lifeline, 100 amp AGM, which is also 700 CCA can be had for $300 to $400. The AGM's also do not seem to suffer sudden collapses like the Optima. I just reckon they're a btter value option.
Cheers,
Jim.
FollowupID:
355536
Reply By: Member - Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 08:24
Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 08:24
Last quote I got for an Optima battery was $380 from Battery World.
Price for an Exide Orbital (same construction and specifications) was $168.
Guess which one I got?
AnswerID:
97041
Reply By: David Au - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 13:57
Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 13:57
Optima are way overpriced and even more overrated.
Check out Optimas basically non-existent warranty, as you will not find it on their website -
well you may if you look long and hard enough. Pretty worthless warranty for such an overpriced overrated battery.
You can get a 100Ah HGL series Fullriver
for $260.00. Why buy half the battery capacity for so much more money. People usually only buy Optima once and buy a decent capacity battery the second time.
AnswerID:
97094
Follow Up By: Mainey... - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 21:22
Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 21:22
Druers,
(Quote) I am looking to install an Optima BATTERY in my Jayco Camper to run my fridge and lights. Should I go the Yellow Top, Red Top or the Blue Top type BATTERY ??
Any advice would be most helpful (end quote)
Go the BLUE top, ONLY if you are totally set on the Optima
IMO, 0zi has given you a far superior battery choice to power your fridge and lights.
FollowupID:
355769