AGM Battery

[Moonhill]

Any one have opinion or experience with Optima brand AGM batteries? It's about the only option I have locally.

[m.hony]

I have only heard good things about them. The "yellow top" is common in the custom car stereo scene.

[lsbrodsky]

In the car community, Corvettes specifically, there were many bad reports about Optima batteries. If you are going to pay for an AGM I would go for the best-Lifeline.
Larry

[DKB_SATX]

For the size and price, I think Optimas are a little light on amp-hour ratings. For example, a Group 31 Blue-top Optima is rated at 75 amp-hours, street price is around $225.

Exide Megacycle AGM group 31 is available in the same price range with 100 amp-hours.

"Universal Battery" UB121100 is rated for 110 amp-hours and is also in the same price range.

[AWCHIEF]

I have many years of actual experience with Optima batteries. I have used them in blue-water sailboats, race cars, street cars and in my Airstream. Outstanding long lasting batteries. But they have to be properly maintained. That means using a quality 3-way charger.

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by Moonhill

Any one have opinion or experience with Optima brand AGM batteries? It's about the only option I have locally.

I put 3 free used "yellow tops" in my 59 Ambassador International, & two lasted another 10 years, then I put the remaining one in my boat 2 years ago. They were certainly worth my money
Colin

[tsunami]

I purchased one from Sam's Club for use in a street rod and had nothing but a headache with it. Seems that even buying one new, off-the-shelf does not assure that you will get one that is fresh and one that had not been setting on the shelf for a long period of time. When I called Optima for assistance, I had to perform a science fair project using a second battery in an attempt get the Optima batter to accept a charge, which did not work. Sam's Club no longer sells Optima and at first refused to refund my money, but would exchange it for a lesser cheaper battery. Finally got a manger and raised a ruckus and they relented and refunded my money. Do a Google search and you will see there are quite a lot of issues with Optima. Now, that doesn't mean that all their products are defective, because you'll see folks that haven't any problems at all. Good luck.

[Moonhill]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I have many years of actual experience with Optima batteries. I have used them in blue-water sailboats, race cars, street cars and in my Airstream. Outstanding long lasting batteries. But they have to be properly maintained. That means using a quality 3-way charger.

Do you know if this is considered a 3-way charger?
Progressive Dynamics (PD9245CV) 45 Amp Power Converter with Charge Wizard

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Moonhill

Do you know if this is considered a 3-way charger?
Progressive Dynamics (PD9245CV) 45 Amp Power Converter with Charge Wizard

The PD92xx chargers are 3-stage, yes. They have the "charge wizard" built in. With the PD91xx you have to buy the optional Charge Wizard dongle to make it 3-stage, I believe.

[lewster]

Optima batteries....folks either love or loath them

They have lower amperage capacity due to their spiral design which also causes the plate configuration to be thinner. For examply, an Optima Group 24 has a 55 amp/hour capacity where a Lifeline Group 24 has an 80 amp/hour capacity.

If you're going to go AGM......use the BEST......LIFELINE.

They have a 5 year pro-rated warranty for RV use and stand up to a lot of abuse. But they MUST be properly charged to obtain the maximum number of charge cycles.

[azflycaster]

Eight years ago I had this same discussion with Lewster. I then upgraded the humming converter to a PD9245 and purchased a lifeline Grp 27. They are both still performing great. Thanks Lewster!

[billdunlap]

I second the suggestion for Lifeline batteries. They are a little more expensive than the Optima and can be found online. I have had two RVs with them including my current Airstream. They are absolutely top notch.

[J. Morgan]

The word around the campfire is that the old Optimas were good, but when Johnson Controls moved production to Mexico the product went to pot.

My experience has been similar. The old ones I had lasted a long time. The last ones I bought didn't last a year.


In my disillusionment I migrated back to lead acid batteries, and will stay with them for a while yet.

[Wolfe]

I use 2 Ea, 6 volt Lifeline's for 12 Volt's works like a charm. and they are made in the USA

[Skater]

I have three Blue Tops in the trailer that are good after 2.5 years or so, with a PD9260 charger. The Blue Top I had in the B190 was in good condition 4 or 5 years after I installed it, also using a PD9260 charger.

I know there are other batteries with more amp-hours, but I got mine at a very good price that made it worth it (getting $50 off each one).

[switz]

We went with four Lifeline 6Vdc 300 amp hour batteries for our solar conversion and use a Magnum MS 2812 to manage the batteries. One needs to fine tune the charger to specific values for the target batteriesto enjoy the longest possible service life.

[Moonhill]

Pulled the trigger on a Lifeline. found a dealer in Denver, ships it from factory to me. Thanks for the replies!

[4RXLA]

You won't be sorry with Lifeline. I've had mine for 4 years and still going strong like new.

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by Moonhill

Pulled the trigger on a Lifeline. found a dealer in Denver, ships it from factory to me. Thanks for the replies!

Hope you did not put too many holes in it.

[Zigidachs]

We have two Lifeline batteries, with a solar panel wired directly to them...absolutely no problems after three+ years.