Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

[Auger01]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

I was waiting for you try to make me wrong.

Maybe its just me, but I dont see where he was saying you were wrong.

Nice wiring job on the cat btw.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

So two of these will give 35 amp hours at 20 amps. So cut that in half or even a third at 48 amps. For 200 and change he gets 10 hours on a bad day. Plus many times more the life cycle. Ever been golfing and the cart was dying? But the next day it was back in service. Doesn't happen at Wal-Mart.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

Whoa!! Simmer down. You both have lots to offer and it does noone any good having spats. 8 batts was prob refering to 6v.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

6volt , 12volt, 4 batteries, 8 batteries, It DOESN'T Matter!
All that matters is the Amp Hours (Ah).

The Golf Cart Batteries Linked above a 35Ah. His current batteries are 115Ah each.
6 of them will still be LESS than the exiting Current Capacity. He would need 8 or more to get ahead.

Whether the Batteries are marketed for Golf carts, or Wheel Chairs, or Trolling Motors, it is still a just Lead Acid Battery in a box. The Label on the Battery is the only real difference.
There is no getting around it; Even if you were willing to spend $10,000; 200Ah Lead Acid Batteries are never going to fit in a shoe box and weight 10 pounds.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

So two of these will give 35 amp hours at 20 amps. So cut that in half or even a third at 48 amps. For 200 and change he gets 10 hours on a bad day. Plus many times more the life cycle. Ever been golfing and the cart was dying? But the next day it was back in service. Doesn't happen at Wal-Mart.

I miss how that math worked.

35Ah at 20 Amps gives 1 Hour and 45 minutes. (35/20)
At 48 Amps it will last 44 minutes. (35/48)

A Golf Cart and an Electric Wheel Chair spend half the time stopped.
When not in use; They both get recharged a couple of times a day, unless your golf game takes you over 8 hour to complete.
Rolling Wheels is a much easier job than Displacing Water.
Trolling and Rolling are not comparable. 80lbs of thrust on the Wheel Chair would get you a speeding ticked on the Freeway!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

Two of these would more likely be what he needs if you are buying from that supplier.

SLR125 VMAX SEALED Solar AGM Battery 12 Volt Deep Cycle Mobile Home RV 125AH | eBay

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

Two of these would more likely be what he needs if you are buying from that supplier.

SLR125 VMAX SEALED Solar AGM Battery 12 Volt Deep Cycle Mobile Home RV 125AH | eBay

Well, Yes, it would, But WHY? :confusion:

These are $260, 125Ah, AGM, Deep Cycle Batteries, Group 27 size and weight, with a fancy marketing Label for "Solar".
For $1000 he could replace his two existing batteries with 4 of these and have 500Ah of trolling capacity.

Or...
For $150 he could get two more of his 115Ah, Deep Cycle, Group 27, Auto Zone Batteries and have 460 Ah Trolling capacity.

Both Battery installations, 4 Group 27 Batteries, would take up the same amount of room and weigh the same.
The $1000 batteries have an additional 40 Ah capacity and might last an hour longer (12.5 vs. 11.5 Hours) but will cost $850 more and save No room or weight.

10+ hours of trolling makes for one very long day.
I don't see the advantage.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

Well, Yes, it would, But WHY? :confusion:

These are $260, 125Ah, AGM, Deep Cycle Batteries, Group 27 size and weight, with a fancy marketing Label for "Solar".
For $1000 he could replace his two existing batteries with 4 of these and have 500Ah of trolling capacity.

Or...
For $150 he could get two more of his 115Ah, Deep Cycle, Group 27, Auto Zone Batteries and have 460 Ah Trolling capacity.

Both Battery installations, 4 Group 27 Batteries, would take up the same amount of room and weigh the same.
The $1000 batteries have an additional 40 Ah capacity and might last an hour longer (12.5 vs. 11.5 Hours) but will cost $850 more and save No room or weight.

10+ hours of trolling makes for one very long day.
I don't see the advantage.

I didn't say that is what he should buy....I said if he was going to buy batteries from that supplier those are the ones they sell that fit his needs, not the small 35AH battery recommended earlier.

It was to illustrate the cost difference when going to the correct size battery of that type.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

I didn't say that is what he should buy....I said if he was going to buy batteries from that supplier those are the ones they sell that fit his needs, not the small 35AH battery recommended earlier.
It was to illustrate the cost difference when going to the correct size battery of that type.

Not a problem.
I really wasn't directing my response toward you, as much as illustrating that there is nothing special about Golf Cart or Wheelchair or anything else, Batteries.

A Deep Cycle Battery is still just a Deep Cycle Battery no matter what label is on the case.
Buy whatever will get you the most Amp-Hours for the Buck!

Don't think that you've discovered the "Fountain of Energy" because a Small Battery will run a wheel chair all day, and think it will also move a 1000lb boat for the same length of time.

 

[jwalterus]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

I run Delco group 31's (31-901CT) in both my truck and my boat, they are 950cca, 195min reserve, so given AH=(RC/60)*25A, AH=81.25 on each
6 year full warranty, about $115/each, and my last set lasted 4 years on the trolling motor (and in the plow truck during the winter) before going in for the free replacements
of course, I installed a battery isolator in my truck with a 165amp alt (setup to charge other vehicles under the bumper), so when I go to shore for lunch, I let the truck charge them (diesel)

why not just set up isolator switches onboard and charge the house batteries while running under power?

 

[basstamer]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

I friended a couple of you guys to get some further opinions hope thats ok-didnt see a way to send you a message otherwise.Dont feel obligated but I'd like your opinions-either way thanks!
Scott

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

All Reserve Capacities/Amp-Hours are created equal.
Amp-Hours are Amp-hours no matter what battery delivers them.
Just as GAS is GAS no matter what Gas station you buy it from.

Group 31's are a LITTLE larger than group 27's and will have a LITTLE more Capacity.
The Actual capacity is determined by the amount of LEAD contained in the Plates.
A battery with twice as much LEAD will not weigh twice as much , however.
There is an economy of scale. You do not also need twice as much Acid, or twice as much case to contain it.
So a Battery with twice the LEAD might only weigh 50% more.

Golf Cart Batteries are Just normal AGM Batteries with a "Golf Cart" Label on them. Nothing Special!
AGM and GEL Cells have their places. They cost a lot more but allow you to place them in any position you wish.
AGM Cells are popular with Race Car Builders, where spilling the acid on the driver in a rollover crash is to be avoided. Also a good choice if you boat in a Hydroplane and tend to get Airborne occasionally.
Aerobatic Aircraft that fly inverted and pull high G-Forces favor the Gel Cells.

Both AGM and GEL Cells require special care in recharging.
Overcharge them even once and they are ruined.
The typical Boat/Auto Alternator Charging system WILL ruin a GEL Cell the first time out.

If you do not Realistically anticipate turning the boat upside down, the common, Flooded Cell, Marine Battery will be just fine.

You already have a pair of Group 27 Batteries. Make use of them!
** I recommend adding another Pair of the same Make and Model Batteries, to Double your current Capacity. **
Be sure to wire them correctly or it will be a very expensive and fiery mistake!

AMPS are AMPS, Some people think there is something Magical about it.
Don't make more out of it than it is. It is all very logical when understood.

 

[hotshott]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

BOSE stands for buy other stereo equipment. EDIT. Go to a battery shop and explain what you need. Think about what a golf cart battery does everyday and they are 75 bucks. Before all you smart people tell me they are only 6 volts I am well aware of that. We installed many systems in sailboats that went halfway around the world. I owned a marine electronics shop in Tarpon Springs FL for years and did warranty work for Minn Kota EDIT.

You CANNOT have a battery that raves about starting amps and amp hours. That's a scam. 275 for decent batteries "come on".

You pay 75 bucks for a deep cycle cart battery? give up an address.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

You pay 75 bucks for a deep cycle cart battery? give up an address.

You get what you Pay for! (Or Less!)

HERE is an AGM Cart Battery in your price range.

 

[basstamer]

Re: Optima Batteries-will they solve my problem?

Thank you guys again-ive been offline for a bit but appreciate it all-Kahuna I checked out the link you sent (ty) it mentions not using new and old batteries together. ..how much of an issue will doing this cause cuz like I said 2 of the batteries are a year old then I would be adding the 2 new ones. Also hopefull my last question is I have a 3 bank charger with 1 going to the starting battery and the other 2 going to the batteries...now if I add an additional 2 batteries how should I hook up the charger leads as to charge all 4 batteries using only the 2 leads?