Optima battery

Getting ready to buy new trolling motor batteries. I am considering optima blue tops. Need advice and input on this battery from trollers. Thanks!

Never used Optima batteries. What I use is group 31 stud batteries for big trucks like 18 wheelers. They hold up good for me. They are large so may not fit in some boats.

I have one and works great - have had it for three seasons with no issues. To be frank, not sure how much difference between the Optima and my other two batteries which are standard wet cell. I rewired everything the same year I bought the Optima to have one battery only start, one battery only trolling motor, and one battery all the accessories. This really helped my electronics and got rid of interference. The trolling motor battery seems also to last a lot longer now but not sure because it is an Optima. May be too much information, but I like them.

I have had them for on a 24 volt motor for a few years now (not sure how long) and have had good luck. They do seem to hold out better than the batteries I used to use. Will I replace them with new Optima's when they bite it, depends on my back pocket at the time.

Thanks guys! If anyone else would like to chime in, I would love to hear your opinions because I've still not made up my mind.

I recently replaced my optima cranking battery with a new one. The one I replaced lasted 8 years! Most I ever got out of a battery in a boat prior to this was maybe four years.

I had Two that lasted over six years. I bought two more. Will run all day and never pull down trolling with a Minnkota 74lb. Well worth the bucks.

Castle I'm in the same dilemma as you. I've always wanted an optima but have always purchased others. I'm scared to spend that money on one and be disappointed. I still got a little life on my ac delco so maybe if you buy one you can give me your opinion!

Think my optimas are 08's and they are (were) still going good. May conk out on me during next trip now though. I did have to have 2 replaced originally as they developed a bad cell bad were under warranty. I keep the onboard charger hooked up anytime I am not using the boat.

I have had (2) tied together in my fifth wheel for over six years w/o any issues. Could boondock for a week during the Oct bow season up here on them before needing a charge. Also have (2) running my 24v 70# troller and can troll all day easy. Can't say their the best on the market, but the best I've ever run. I used to be able to get them for 1/2 price as I worked for JCI who made them, but alas the company sold our division and the cost just went up! Guess I should bought a couple more sooner, eh??? :dono

I had Optima batteries (standard gel) in one of my old boats. They were good batteries but I replaced all of my boat batteries with AGM batteries (Absorbed Glass mat). Optima does make them so if you are referring to these as your Optima batteries then I apoligize. Unlike a standard Acid or gel battery, these are all enclosed. They DO NOT discharge, can be charged hundreds of times, and can be mounted in any orientation you want (upside down, left, right, on its head).

I live in Michigan and my lake boat (not the river boat) is stored in my barn starting in December (or when the ice hits the lakes). Tempuratures have been down to -15 for several days and yet this battery still has a full charge on it unlike the standard acid battery that is completely dead. Another nice feature of an AGM battery is that you can plug in a battery charger, and if you forget about it, it will not overcharge or cause harm to the battery (ACID batteries tend to overcharge and then you only get a 75% charge after that).

I have a 12v trolling motor and my AGM will run this for two days without completely depleting it (this is NOT two days of solid running, but you get the idea). I looked at optima AGM and thought they were overpriced. I ended up buying mine from Cabelas. They ship them right to your door and you can litteraly plug them in and they have a full charge.

Word of caution: If you have a charging system on board your boat, make sure that it is rated to charge an AGM battery. For that matter, ensure that any charger you are hooking to it will charge AGM. When I installed my duel bank onboard charger I ensured that it would do both AGM and gel/acid (most new ones do)

Hope this helps

I have been running Optima SC34DM Blue Tops with my 24v Motorguide Brute since 5-19-2007, which is labeled on the batteries when I got them (easier to keep up with their age). I can run for three days(not trolling). I have a Pro Extra II mounted in my boat that shifts any excess charge after the primary battery is fully replinished from the alternator to the trolling batteries. This seems to help keep them charged. I will probably replace these batteries with Optimas when needed. I would have replaced any other battery I have used twice in that period of time.

Man in Guntersville had some on Craigs List for 1/2 price, I bought 5. Got two extra if ya need 'em

Amen! Optima is a Brand Name, AGM is the technology. Mark makes a good one. Find a person / company who specializes in "Back up Power Supplies" for computers. chicken houses. They have to replace them regardless of capacity / charge / load reading. Buy the ones they take out, usually 1/2 price. Better have the correct charger tho, AGM capable, unless you monitor frequently & have a load tester.

Optimas' in my 5th wheel and one for the trolling motor, that never gets used anymore. Never had a negative thought about them.