Forum Discussion

TECMike's avatar
TECMike
Explorer
Sep 07, 2015

Optima Deep Cycle

Anyone using the Optima Deep Cycle battery on their travel trailer? Does the tow vehicle overcharge it? Does the converter on the trailer handle it OK? Advantages and disadvantages, other than cost, to a regular flooded deep cycle battery?
  • I'd skip optima batteries now, they are made by Johnson controls and aren't what they used to be in the past they had an 84 month warranty now it's only three years, in less than 5 years I had two go out in my jeep under normal use. The warranty replacement lasted less than my original, and I had to argue about the warranty and get documentary from the optima website for Costco to replace it
  • I have the Optima group 31 blue top deep cycle battery as the house battery in my class C. I have the Optima group 24 red top starting battery for the engine battery. I have been really happy with both.

    I have no problems with overcharging while driving. The converter (Progressive Dynamic) works fine with it. I can dry camp for 4 days and not put a dent in the house battery - I have my water pump on 24/7 and use lights as needed (I do use a battery operated puck light for reading purposes at night because I like to be able to look out the window). Fridge, water heater are propane. My boss has had an Optima in his Sprinter RV for 12 years and it's still running strong - and he uses his heater often (no generator). I wish I had known about it when I had my TT - the regular flooded battery would be 1/2 drained in 3 days using it the same way as I do now.
  • Optimas aren't the great battery like the once used to be.

    I'd opt for a Deka AGM battery, or an AGM battery from some other manufacturer long before I bought an Optima.