Anyone running Optima blue tops? (2024)

29-05-2019, 10:50 AM

CT

Hi folks,
I'm finding it hard to get batteries much above 780 CCA. I like the look of the Optima blue tops, but at about $150 dearer than a 780CCA to get 900CCA I'm keen to know if they're going to last. Anyone had any experience with them?

Thanks
Craig

29-05-2019, 12:14 PM

The Mad Cat

I have 4 in one boat about 3 years old, 1 in a Landcruiser 4 years old and sold a boat last year with one almost 9 years old, that boat only had one battery and was fitted with an electric anchor winch. There is a story going around about they are not as good now as they were as they are now made in Mexico???

TMC

29-05-2019, 12:26 PM

Crunchy

Approaching two years running the OPTD31M as a start battery for 225HP Honda and its doing its job perfectly well......can feel the extra ooomph over the old Century...

29-05-2019, 12:55 PM

CT

Thanks lads. The D31M is exactly the ones I'm looking at also for a 225. Best price so far is $375.

29-05-2019, 12:59 PM

NAGG

I certainly think they are worth the extra coin - I've certainly not had any cranking battery come close (5 years in the Seajay) for performance (oomph) & I'll be fitting them eventually to my Barcrusher. - the bonus is that they also have decent deep cycling capacity (75amp)

Chris

29-05-2019, 02:27 PM

Crunchy

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT

Thanks lads. The D31M is exactly the ones I'm looking at also for a 225. Best price so far is $375.

I paid $385 two years ago from Battery Central so looks like a good / fair price.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAGG

oomph Chris

I get about 500 oomph's on a fresh charge :)

29-05-2019, 03:09 PM

CT

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAGG

the bonus is that they also have decent deep cycling capacity (75amp)

Hopefully that means that load like lights, sounders and deckwash pumps shouldn't shorten their lifespan during longer trips.

Struggling to part with that much coin though!

29-05-2019, 08:45 PM

Moonlighter

Have a look at these guys

http://www.batteryvalue.com.au/

31-05-2019, 12:13 AM

Paul071978

Go the exide orbital agm batteries I’ve experienced countless issues with the optimas not charging and dropping cells

31-05-2019, 07:34 AM

shakey55

I’m about to replace batteries in my boat. I was recommended these and having looked into them I’m going to give them a go.

My mate and his son use them in the 4x4’s and swear by them.

https://superstart.com.au/products/marin.html

Sent from my iPhone using Ausfish forums

31-05-2019, 07:36 AM

The Mad Cat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul071978

Go the exide orbital agm batteries I’ve experienced countless issues with the optimas not charging and dropping cells

Can you expand on this statement, are you in the battery supply industry or a high volume user?
I'm close to needing 2 more batteries for another boat (fitted with Seamaster batteries by previous owner) and always happy to look at other recommendations other than Optimas.

TMC

03-06-2019, 05:45 PM

GBC

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT

Hopefully that means that load like lights, sounders and deckwash pumps shouldn't shorten their lifespan during longer trips.

Struggling to part with that much coin though!

The optimas always end up being cheap in the long run in my experience. 7-10 years is normal and deep discharge is what they do so well.

03-06-2019, 06:08 PM

Paul071978

I worked for a boat dealership as marine tech. For some reason the service manager always stocked the optima even after many issues. Must have been receiving a kick back. The exide orbital use same battery tech but must have better quality control. I was selling marine batteries for a while in my own business and never had an orbital fail. They are pricey though. Look them up

03-06-2019, 10:06 PM

CT

I think I've decided on Century Marine Pro 780's at $249 each.

04-06-2019, 05:15 AM

wahoofishingcrew

Craig I had a bad run on the 780s just recently... I bought 3 at once from battery world in rocky and had 2 replaced under warranty in 6 months. I ditched them and went seamaster gold and they were brilliant. Maybe I was just unlucky but it has put me off century.

Brand new boat just keep spending and go the optimas [emoji14]

Sent from my [device_name] using Ausfish mobile app

04-06-2019, 11:31 AM

CT

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahoofishingcrew

I bought 3 at once from battery world in rocky and had 2 replaced under warranty in 6 months.

Aargh...that's exactly where I was getting mine from!! Just when I'd made a decision too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahoofishingcrew

Brand new boat just keep spending and go the optimas [emoji14]

I'm going broke fitting out!

04-06-2019, 04:30 PM

Dignity

I have had an Optima Blue Top for 7 years now running a 150HP and always worked well however the Charger would never seem to know when the battery was full. Checked it earlier this year and its capacity was down to 95% so put it in the tinnie and now run the Seamaster. The only other issue I had with the blue top was it certainly dragged down when using the electric winch.

04-06-2019, 07:09 PM

shortthenlong

Your brother in law is a battery specialist both marine and deep cyclem I'd be hitting him up for some solid advice.

04-06-2019, 07:47 PM

CT

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortthenlong

Your brother in law is a battery specialist both marine and deep cyclem I'd be hitting him up for some solid advice.

Apparently he hasn't managed to root the optimas he's got in everything now so I guess that's a clear vote for them

04-06-2019, 07:50 PM

shortthenlong

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT

Apparently he hasn't managed to root the optimas he's got in everything now so I guess that's a clear vote for them

They must be magical. He is an electrical frog

04-06-2019, 08:00 PM

CT

Maybe they just hold the worlds best surface charge

04-06-2019, 11:19 PM

Paul071978

Don’t take my advice just google search optima battery issues then decide

05-06-2019, 09:10 PM

CT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul071978

Don’t take my advice just google search optima battery issues then decide

Certainly a lot of unhappy punters starting around 2000 or so and unhappy for at least a decade.