Marine Cranking Battery Optima 31 vs. Big Red DC31

[young_one]

Which battery would you choose?

Obviously there are more than just numbers on paper, I would love to hear your experiences!

 

$239 Optima Blue Top D31

http://www.batteriesexpert.com/en/products/batteries/deep-cycle-batteries/12-volts-deep-cycle-batteries/dc31-280-batt-gr-dc31-140ah-1000mca-280rc-deep-c

 

$255 Battery Expert DC31
http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/shop/bluetop/bluetop-group-31-dual-purpose-deep-cycle-and-starting/

 

 

*both batteries meet the Optimax AGM battery requirement of at least 1000MCA & 800 CCA

 

Connections to the battery:

150 Optimax w/ power tilt and start

9.9 kicker w/ power tilt and start

Trollmaster kicker throattle contorl

900 series HBird fish finder

700 series HBird fish finder

Bilge pump

Livewell pump, recir, aerator

Navigation lights

Stereo

Edited March 31, 2014 by FISCHEN

[BillM]

Neither when a cheaper will do just fine... this is for your main correct?

[grimsbylander]

It also matters what you're running off the main as well. Cranking plus...pumps? electronics? how many? Side/down scan?

[NANUK]

An $80 battery will last you at least 5 years with basic maintenance

[lew]

An $80 battery will last you at least 5 years with basic maintenance

 

Yup, and on my last boat I got 8 years out of both deep cycles & the cranker.

 

Just keep them charged.

[Sinker]

Same as everyone else. I'd buy two cheaper ones that last just as long and work just as good.

 

S.

[fish_fishburn]

A 27 series, 1000cca should do you. Just leave the darn stereo off when you have to manage your power for a full day. I have a little transistor radio if I want to listen to something. The money you save you can put toward a battery management system if you don't already have that. By the way that battery is about 120 tops at wallyworld.

[aplumma]

With the choices you have optimax battery because if you have an issue it is widely distributed and warrentee is easily taken care of. I personally run the best batteries in my boat some times I fish two or three days straight without any chance of charging them. My optimax batteries once brought me back to the dock when fuel pump dumped on me.

 

 

Art