Optima Battery Deal

[davja]

After reading the threads on Optima batteries posted by "the knowledgeable forum", I decided to take the plunge and bought an Optima yellow top D34.
For those of you in the midwest, Blains Farm & Fleet has them on sale now for $134.99, still expensive, but the best deal I've seen. I hope it will serve its duty well! http://www.airforums.com/forum...optima+battery
battery choice
http://www.airforums.com/forum...optima+battery
1972 safari.. Battery question

David

[Andrew Selking]

Good investment, it should serve you well just like your Airstream it is the top of the line in batteries.

Andrew Selking
WBCCI #6062 VAC

[RoadKingMoe]

There are a lot of advantages to absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries, compare to flooded cell batteries.

They have a very low internal resistance and can give more high-amperage starting current, and can take higher charging current without heating.

They don't outgas hydrogen and corrosive acid when charging.

They don't leak corrosive acid if tipped over.

They are maintenance-free.

Their plates are much more ruggedly packed and they are less subject to failure from shock and vibration in environments where batteries experience that.

The spiral-wrapped plates of the Optima batteries are even slightly more rugged than flat-plate AGM batteries, however, the spiral wrapped design doesn't use all the Length X Width X Height volume and Optimas have less capacity than a flat-plate AGM battery (like the excellent Concorde Lifeline models).

But in the end, AGM batteries don't have as much capacity as typical flooded cell batteries.

Add to the reduced capacity of AGM batteries and the further reduced capacity of the spiral-wrapped design, the reduced capacity of the shorter Group 34 size compared to the tiny Group 24 conventional battery (a Group 34 is just a shorter tiny Group 24), and the Group 34 Optima battery is the worst possible choice for an RV where the capacity issue is anywhere near on the horizon.

Optimas ARE available in a Group 31 size, but they have less capacity than a Group 31 sized Lifeline AGM battery, which has less capacity than a Group 31 sized conventional flooded cell Trojan battery.

In my Harley that experiences vibration, Harley's choice of AGM is right on. In my 15' boat used in the pounding chop of Lake Erie, which is limited to a single battery, my choice of an AGM is right on.

In a smooth riding Airstream which needs all the amp-hours it can get, a conventional flooded cell battery is a clear winner.

[Rick Dotson]

I have '61 Safari and wondered if anybody knew where to get a battery that fits in the little box behind the propane tanks?

[thenewkid64]

Someone posted a link to that , I think it is Interstate that makes a 12 Volt that will fit. But I may be wrong.

[ColtSAA45]

The correct battery for you 61 safari is a group 3ET. Not all battery dealers carry this size. I found the best price at a few weeks ago at a store near me called Fleet Farm. It was $55.00. Try to call around to find best price, the farm supply stores seem to have best prices. I do know that Batteries Plus carries them for $74.00.

[Rick Dotson]

Great thanks for the info

[Pick]

My coach has room for only one battery. I chose the Trojan 30XHS, which has over 100 AH of capacity and is a group 31 size. I paid $95.