Battery Question

(magic) · (magic) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 12-24-2004, 5:23 PM

The 4 year old Optima Blue Top in my Cal-Air is starting to die.

Any recommendations? Stick with Optima or what about a Trojan Marine Deep Cycle/Start battery or others?

I'm running the stock charging system and have 3 amps for the stereo (about 2000 watts total)

(clubmyke) · (clubmyke) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 12-24-2004, 6:59 PM

stick with a gel cel with big systems-

bigdeal 12-25-2004, 12:15 PM

Sean, got a question. Are you running everything in your boat off one battery? Just curious. I'm runnin' a similar three amp setup in my boat with a blue top Optima deep cycle for the stereo system and a second blue top Optima starting battery to run the boat.

At any rate, I'd definitely recommend staying with Optimas.

(kraig) · (kraig) **Join Date: Dec 2002** 12-25-2004, 4:57 PM

Sean- Definately stay with the Optima! If you're running a three amp system then you should upgrade to more batteries. I run three amps and I run three batteries. I have two that are wired together to run everything including the engine. I have a third on a battery isolator just in case I kill the blue tops with the stereo system. I wouldn't run without a third backup starter battery without that much wattage sucking system in the boat.

(clubmyke) · (clubmyke) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 12-26-2004, 7:09 AM

the gel cell (optima) can be run down and recharged as many times as you want with no damage...

with acid type batteries you are lucky if you can do that 3-4 times before the battery goes bad

(magic) · (magic) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 12-26-2004, 8:57 AM

Thanks for the replies! I think that I'll get an other Blue Top for the boat. I've had a back burner project of installing an isolator too. Looks like I need to finally get around to do that with an additional battery or two.

(clubmyke) · (clubmyke) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 12-26-2004, 9:23 AM

forgot to mention the perko switch-can use 2 batteries at the same time

(magic) · (magic) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 12-26-2004, 9:33 AM

Mike, I have a Hellroaring isolator that I'm going to use. I looked at the Perkos and like how simple they are to use, but want the protection (complete isolation between batteries and alternator protection) plus the micro switch provided by the Hellroarning isolator.

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 12-26-2004, 12:39 PM

I did the hellroaring isolator setup last year, works great. I'd use gelcel batteries because they don't have lead plates inside that can crack and short when you hit double ups. That's one reason why conventional batteries don't last very long in wakeboard boats. Mine are up front (DD) I'm sure that makes them more likely to failure from shock.
Here are pics of my install http://www.epicmarine.com\how_to.htm