Which Battery would be Best

[Tony T.]

I have been wanting to replace my TT battery with one of the Optima's Yellow or Blue top. I also have a little two-man boat with trolling motor that I would use the same battery. Which one would be best to have since I going to use it for the troll motor also (reserve cap).





Thanks for any info



Tony

 

[dalton4]

For both application you need a true deep cycle battery. I always go with the highest amp battery I can find within group sizing.

 

[Tony T.]

For both application you need a true deep cycle battery. I always go with the highest amp battery I can find within group sizing.

I thought the yellow or blue where deep cycle batteries, what do you mean by true. I have never owned a Optima battery so I no nothing about them other than what a friend has said, using the red top on his truck an what people here on the TDR have said about their reliablity. I have a Interstate Deep Cycle on the TT now, but its getting pretty old.



Tony

 

[Buffalo]

You may have thought of this already but, after a day of using the battery on Your trolling motor, what are You going to use for a battery to power the trailer that evening? If You decide to go for seperate batteries for the trailer and the boat, a lot of people and myself have had very good luck with two golf cart (6v. ) batteries. Lots of storage and long life. Hope this helps. Joe F. (Buffalo).

 

[dalton4]

Tony, guess I was too brief with my answer.



By "true" deep cycle I meant one that is a full class/built deep cycle and not a compromise/dual purpose graded one such as "deep cycle/starting". I was referring to the type I thought would best serve your needs. Deep cycle built batteries have thicker cell plates and will stand up better to discharging below 50% and recharging. This is the kind of condition you will have with both given applications. Starting batteries have thinner plates and are designed for high output quick loading followed with recharging.



I've never used or studied the batteries you mentioned and they may be deep cycle.



I also agree with Buffalo on using two 6V golf cart batteries hooked up in series for 12V power on the trailer. I've used these before and had good results.

 

[CPG]

Batteries

I have the Optima blue top battery in my trailer. I'm not sure of dual use but this is the best battery I have ever owned. There is no acid mess and it stays up well when storeing the trailer for long periods. It also it rebounds fast when chargeing. These are expensive, but as in most things ,you get what you pay for.



Chuck

 

[RCook]

If you're planning to use the battery for your boat as well as your TT, I'd guess you're interested in keeping battery weight down. AGM-type batteries (such as Optima - there are others, such as East Penn-Deka and Concorde) sure would be nicer if you're hauling them back and forth - nothing to spill. You sure want to choose batteries built for deep cycling, not for starting, and may want to compare Amp-Hour capacity vs weight.



Optimas might do the job for you, if their Amp-Hour capacity is sufficient for your needs. Even the largest Optimas (D31M, 60 lb each) have only 75 AH deep cycle capacity. If that's enough to last between charges for you (you should plan to use only 50% or 60% of the AH capacity most of the time before recharging, if you want good battery life), then they'd likely work.

 

[Thomas]

I have been wanting to replace my TT battery with one of the Optima's Yellow or Blue top... Which one would be best to have since I going to use it for the troll motor also (reserve cap).

Take a look at the Optima Battery website. You may be convinced, as I am, that the chemistry of all Optima deep-cycle batteries - yellow or blue - is the same. The D34/78 YellowTop Battery & the D34M BlueTop Battery are identical with the exception of the terminal configuration.



The RedTop Batteries use a slightly different chemistry, resulting in a slight increase in power and a marked decrease in resistance to deep-discharge cycles.

 

[LaxCummins]

Yep - Yellow and Blue are the same. Blue is for "marine" - riiiiight.



LAXCummins

 

[Tony T.]

Optima's

Thanks every one for the information so far. Most of my deep cycle batteries have been purchased at local Walmart's which consist of what they carry at the time. Like I said never have purchased a Optima so was wondering about the difference's between the blue an yellow top. Usually in the past for the troll motor I would always select a deep cycle trolling battery with the most reserve capascity minutes.



To answer Buffalo's question of why not just buy two batteries, is that I do not carry the boat when we go camping. Really not set up to trailer both at same time. The boat is mainly used local for small gov't lakes an private farm pond fishing trips. Actually most of our camping is in state parks with elec & water hookups, an have'nt done an kind of boondocking camping yet with the TT. The battery for trailer is used mostly for running the pump an such as we travel, if any of your wive's are like mine, she will not use the gas station or truckstop for a restroom break, it's usually pull over an give me the key's to the trailer.



Thomas: Have not looked at the site so I was thinking maybe a blue top was like for starting an yellow top for trolling or vice versa on the colors.

The fact that the Optimas can be mounted in ways other than top side up is a plus to me, I have seen what battery acid can do to one of those two-man boats to the ABS plastic on a friends boat.



Again thanks for all the info



Tony