Batteries, and not the AAA type

[Barry]

Rob,

A single Exide "red-top" has run my Engel 45 for about 2.5 days in the garage... but the engine did hesitate a bit upon the first crank. Not an issue for me when camping though since I run trails every day of a weekend (or week long) trip. No problem while using the Superwinch X-9 either.

-Barry

 

[antichrist]

If you're gonna be doing any off-roading - you gotta get sealed batteries - the warranty issues are secondary - a good battery should outlive it's warranty. Optimas are a proven product - if you want something better (IMHO) check these out:

snip

Actually, when comparing Spiralcell and "regular" batteries, I think the biggest difference is their ability to handle the rough roads/trails. If you use a regular lead acid battery such as this:
http://www.exide.com/products/light_truck/champion_trailblazer.html
you won't find as much difference (assuming they are both mounted in a standard configuration, Spiralcell obviously can be mounted on it's side, whereas the lead acid can't).
These batteries are specially designed for abusive roads, with better achoring of the plates, and better bonding of the chemicals to the plates.
Most people compare spiralcell to standard car lead acid, which isn't an entirely fair comparison.
FWIW, I run a regular Exide Spiralcell for the car, a deep cycle Exide Spiralcell for the winch and accessories, both charged through a Surepower battery isolator. Uprated cables (using welding cable because there's less resistance) for all.

 

[wei]

The Optima Red Top is a gell cell battery while the Yellow Top is an AGM battery. Gell cells are not compatible to many battery chargers because they can only handle 10A charge current. Compared to the AGM, which can handle up to 35A.

I went with the Exide/Canadian Tire Extra Duty Deep Cycle/Starting battery over the Yellow Top after a bunch of research. It turns out that the two batteries are very similar in construction, if not identical (Peter-man99 and others can correct me on that). The Exide has a 3 year warranty over Optima (2 yr) and it was 50bux cheaper.

 

[antichrist]

Yeah, I talked with an engineer at Exide. He was familar with the Surepower and said there was no problem using them with the Exide line. I wanted a setup that if I drained my winch battery my rig would still start if I stalled it. I go camping alone alot and I hate being in the woods with a dead battery.

 

[JEEPETR]

The Optima Red Top is a gell cell battery while the Yellow Top is an AGM battery. Gell cells are not compatible to many battery chargers because they can only handle 10A charge current. Compared to the AGM, which can handle up to 35A.

Just to clarify, the Optima Red Top is an AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt) battery, as is the entire Optima Line. Check out their web site if you need any clarification (http://www.optimabatteries.com ). For their size they are rated very well. The Oddyssey Line of Batteries appear to be quality batteries, but to me their specifications let them down (Size verses capacity) when compared to the Optima. The PC1200 is the closest in size to say a yellow top Optima, but only carries a 78 min reserve capacity in a similar size/weight package as the Optima who carries a 124 min reserve. To me, reserve capacity is the important number, and a 47 minute advantage in a similar sized battery is a HUGE difference. The PC1700 specs are better, but good luck getting two of them in anywhere, and two Optima Yellow tops in parallel out pace the PC1700?s capacity by a wide margin (248 minutes verses the PC1700?s 142 minutes).

If you are really looking for a high capacity set-up, consider this. I haven?t tried it yet in my ?96 Discovery, but I believe it will fit perfectly. I don?t know much about the Disco II?s space availability though, so this may be a series I solution only. On the original Discoveries, when going to dual batteries, they are generally mounted with one in the factory spot, and one on the opposite side in place of the jack and wheel chock (a bracket has to be fabricated to move the power steering fluid reservoir and the intake trumpet removed from the airbox). Check out Lifeline Batteries (http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/marine.asp ) model GPL-4C. Lifelines are well respected (in commercial applications) AGM deep cycle batteries. The GPL-4C is approximately the same length and width as an Optima, but slightly less than 2.5? taller (I?m almost certain they will just clear the hood blanket), and is a 6 volt battery. By placing two in series (instead of parallel) you get a 12 volt battery with, are you ready for this, 492 minutes of reserve time (standard 25 amp draw test). That?s roughly the equivalent of four Optima Yellow tops in parallel. Plenty of juice for winching, and would probably run an ARB/Engle fridge for a week! How is that for reserve capacity?

 

[stansell]

Well, after all that info, I went with the Optima yellow top. On sale at autozone for $150. It was an impulse buy (I was in renting some rotor pullers for my brake and rotor overhaul) and saw it sitting there. Anyway, a real exciting way to change out your battery is to accidentally have your wrench make contact with both battery terminals--luckily all it did was scar my wrench, no other damage. Thanks for all of the input.

Rob

 

[Snwbord24]

Rob,
I knew I shouldn't have let you do all that work yourself. I'd hate to have to come over and "supervise" you working while I drink beer

 

[stansell]

Shane,

If you hadn't spent all weekend at your "cheese and wine festival", you could have come over and got your hands a little dirty and I could have sat back and drank a few beers.

 

[Snwbord24]

Sorry Rob, but she's prettier than you are.

I'm waiting for pics of your completed CB install too.

 

[stansell]

You know I am too cheap to buy digital camera? Thats what yours is for. However, that Cobra 75 WX is a sweet and compact unit. Probably not up to professional trucker standard, but good enough for a small time offroader like myself.

 

[F18Guy]

Damn Sailors.

 

[Snwbord24]

I resemble that remark