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Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | Just wondering how many of you guys use these batteries and any thoughts on em. Time to upgrade in the battery department. Thanks, Dave J |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I have a Stowaway Spiral cell thats made by Optima. I like it. I think it was $99 at Sam's Club. Seems to charge quicker then my regular Deep cycles do. My mistake, just looked at my battery, it says Exide Orbital, not Optima...
Edited by kevin 2/7/2004 9:01 PM
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | Take a look at http://www.trojanbattery.com/ Compare the reserve minute capacity of the SC225 to any other batter then look at the price. You will probably fall in love the with the Trojans.
If you live near Chicago, Battery Service Corp will pick up your duds and deliver your new ones for free.
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Just checked the Trojan and Stowaway websites. Found the reserve capacity for a few batteries.
Trojan Deep Cycle only(not a dual purpose battery)Avaialbale in several models
Reserve capacities of: 150, 200, and 225
Trojan Dual Purpose, also available in several models
Reserve Capacities of: 145, 135, 160, and 125
Stowaway 850 Dual Purpose, Reserve Capacity of 205 I think
Stowaway stx34dp only Reserve Capacity I could find was 100.
The Dual Purpose Batteries can be used as both a Starting Battery or a Deep Cycle Trolling type Battery.
The Regular Deep Cycle Batteries are Reccomended for Trolling motor type aplications only..Not saying you can't also use as a Starter, just not reccomended. Stowaway has several other models available other then the 850.
The advantage I like with the spiral cell batteries is they weigh quite a bit less then regular deep cycles. I tend to use my Stx34 as a Starter when in my Tuffy, and take advantage of the lower weight when in my cartopper for the trolling motor. I have used my Stx 34 as both the starter and trolling battery during the day, with it being the only battery in the boat, no problems so far.
If you use batteries as Dual purpose batteries and are not worried about Reserve(like me), then the Optima/Orbital type batteries should work fine. If you like a lot of reserve in a dual purpose, then the stowaway 850. If you want a lot of reserve in a regular Deep Cycle then the trojan has the most. |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | I have been using the Optima Deep Cycle Battery for over three years. Typically I would wear a magnum sized deep cycle battery out in 18 months or less. The Optima was double the cost of the biggest deep cycle I could get. The Optima was about 2/3 the size of the other deep cycles. It lasts about double the time between charges of the old style deep cycle batteries. And is entering my fourth summer of use. It has been quite a value, well worth the price! I have added the Optima starter battery two years ago and have been more than satisfied with its performance as well. |
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Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | Thanks guys, the size of the batteery is my main concern. It seems that when Ranger made the 681c model their engineers really had no concern about getting them in and or out, I want a powerpack that is smaller in size and yet powerful. Going to chack around yet, thanks, Dave |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | The size of the Optima Deep Cycle Battery is the same size as a 6-pack of Malt Liquor cans. |
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Posts: 5
Location: Roseville, MI | I have been using the optima batteries, for a few reasons. The battery compartments in my boat are small and hard to access and to remove one of the batteries I have to tip it on its side. The optima batteries are sealed, weigh less and there six pack design makes them easier to handle. Not to mention that they have lasted twice as long as the lead batteries that came with the boat.I would definatly recomend them, I have one of each, starting and dual, because of the cost. |
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Optima Batteries