Optima Batteries - Yellow or Blue

[qtla9111]

My deep cycle 6V batteries have served me well for over eight years but it appears it's time for a replacement.

I would like to get them off of the hitch and use sealed batteries somewhere inside the trailer.

After watching the Optima video, I'm still a bit confused over which is the best application; the yellow or the blue?

Any other brand you might recommend as well?

Thanks in advance.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

The Optima yellow has a .035" spiral would plate. The same thickness as a Pep Boys automobile battery. Out of 16 or so calls for battery help on cruising sailboats ninety percent involved group 31 Optima batteries. A Lifeline has a .105" plate. The Optima is made near Monterrey Mexico so is it widely available. Hope this helps.

[Ed_Gee]

Optima batteries are a poor choice when capacity is important. Most any other deep cycle AGM battery will be better. LifeLine and Concorde are the gold standard, but if budget is an issue, I would recommend Renogy 12V. 100AH deep cycle AGM batteries available on Amazon.....with free shipping for Prime members. Incidentally, Optima blue top are specified at about 55 AH, I believe.

[Matt_Colie]

Qtla,

jkwilson hit this dead center. While Optima and "Rolled Cell" AGMs are great cranking batteries, there real capacity is lacking due to the packing factor of the cylindrical cells.

Go with Lifeline AGMs and put them anywhere you want. Before you buy, look at Power Stride. When I bought these for clients, they were a great supplier in all ways possible.

Matt

[wa8yxm]

Though Optima batteries are physically very rugged and great for what they are designed for.. they are **NOT** a good choice for RV use.. Rather go with LIFELINE AGM. All the advantages of Optima and nearly 50% more capacity for any give size.

Why is this?

Look at the optima. Now imagine it is in a box (THe box it comes in) how much AIR is in that box.

Now look at any 12 volt Maintenance free battery on the store shelf. HOw much air is in THAT box..

The Lifeline AGM. unlike the OPTIME AGM. is all battery, no air.

[jkwilson]

The construction of Optimas makes them great for handling bouncing and vibration, but it isn’t efficient use of space so they end up being much smaller capacity than other batteries. The cylindrical cells waste space.

[wolfe10]

Chris Bryant wrote:
I'd go with Lifeline over Optima, which I feel,are not suited to deep cycle use. That said, I've had good service from Full River.

I agree. Go with the Lifeline AGM's over the Optimas for deep-cycle use. Can be installed anywhere you want it/them.

[Fulltimer50]

Since the guy in the video says that the Blue is for marine and RV use, I would go with that.

[Chris_Bryant]

I'd go with Lifeline over Optima, which I feel,are not suited to deep cycle use. That said, I've had good service from Full River.