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Join Date: May 2009
04-16-2010, 9:33 PM
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OK, I know there are some Optima Haters on here, but I just upgraded to run 3 D31Ms as my main batteries on my boat. I got a custom box/tray made to hold them. The tray locks the batteries at the bottom. The box part of the enclosure also holds the batteries down and helps strengthen the over all box. Since I have a Centurion Enzo 216, I had the top piece engraved with the Centurion Logo. Attached are pictures.
Also, I have the 3 batteries separated by individual two position switches so I can operate on a single battery if needed. I have a Guest 3 bank charger that charges each of the batteries. I also have a 4th battery that is normally switched off that I can run the boat from in case the 3 bank system discharges too much during a day of partying.
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Join Date: Feb 2008
04-16-2010, 9:48 PM
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nice mill work
the attention to detail
wow
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Join Date: May 2009
04-16-2010, 9:52 PM
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Yes,
I got it from here:
http://www.optimatrays.com/index.php?body=custom_trays
He said it was the first 3 battery holder he had made. At first he said it wasn't possible, then I worked with him to use his single holders and make a locking mechanism to join each tray.
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Join Date: Jul 2008
04-17-2010, 3:03 AM
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Wow. That is baller status right there.
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Join Date: Mar 2010
04-17-2010, 5:19 AM
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thats really nice, i was just looking to put a d31m in my boat.
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Join Date: Aug 2006
04-17-2010, 9:51 AM
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Wow thats a really beautiful set up.
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Join Date: Jun 2009
04-17-2010, 11:41 AM
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wow looks nice
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Join Date: Nov 2008
04-17-2010, 2:02 PM
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Nice set-up, glad I got to see it at your place the other day. If I'm dead on the lake....I'm calling you!
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Join Date: Feb 2007
04-18-2010, 8:54 AM
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DAX Niiiiice setup!
That said don't get rid of your OEM stuff, in a couple years when the optima B/S warranties are done (1 year full replacement, 2nd year prorated) you'll be looking at new NON-optima batts.
I currently use my optima yellow top as an anchor, about all their good for.
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Join Date: Sep 2008
04-18-2010, 9:18 AM
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^ Wow!! What a buzz kill..... I personally think it looks good.
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Join Date: Dec 2009
04-18-2010, 12:41 PM
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Well, that sure looks sweet. But I just don't understand why you would spend so much money on 3 optimas, as you could get 2 golf cart batteries for the price of one optima, and get the same AH rating. Am I missing something here?
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Join Date: Feb 2002
04-18-2010, 2:24 PM
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I got a couple Optimas for free a few years back that had sat on a warehouse shelf for about three years before I got them. They served me well for another five years. I replaced them with new Optimas this year.
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Join Date: May 2009
04-18-2010, 6:38 PM
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I got the Optimas for $200 a piece shipped. They are new stock and were manufactured in December 2009. I wanted maintenance free. Golf Cart Batteries would take up more room, have to be fluid maintained, etc. For a little over 1000 for the batteries and tray, I think I have sufficient power for several years.
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Join Date: Aug 2003
04-18-2010, 10:08 PM
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Looks great. You might want to consider adding the ability to charge them individually, it would take some big disconnect plugs like they use for fork lifts. I am thinking that charging multiple batteries wired in parallel simultaneously might be the cause of everybody's problems with Optimas?
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Join Date: May 2009
04-19-2010, 4:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeski
Looks great. You might want to consider adding the ability to charge them individually, it would take some big disconnect plugs like they use for fork lifts. I am thinking that charging multiple batteries wired in parallel simultaneously might be the cause of everybody's problems with Optimas?
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If you read my first post you will see I have each battery is isolated through a switch. I have a triple bank charger that charges each battery separately. Since I have the fourth (non Optima) battery charged and turned off, When I come home I isolate all but one of the batteries from the boat (turn one switch to off) and plug in the charger. Each of the Optimas is charged independently on a separate bank of the Guest Charger.
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Join Date: Dec 2009
04-19-2010, 5:53 AM
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I'm interested to know what your sound system power is and how long it is going to last with those batteries with the engine off as a reference for my system.
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Join Date: Apr 2010
04-19-2010, 6:18 AM
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^^^^ me too!
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Join Date: May 2009
04-19-2010, 3:09 PM
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Well I am running an Alpine PDX 4.150 for the boat speakers and sub (Channel 1-2 for boat right/left 3 speakers each side and Channel 3-4 bridged for the sub) and an Alpine PDX 2.150 for the tower speakers (Kicker Pods). It is running off a Sony head unit with marine commander remote through a WS-420. The inboat speakers are Kicker 6.5s wired in series/parallel for about 3.3 ohms. The Sub is a Kicker 4 ohm 12 inch comp. The towers are 4 ohm per pod. The amps were both birthed at 180 watts rms per 2 or 4 ohm channel.
The 4.150 draws about 20 amps (2 30 amp fuses)
The 2.150 draws about 10 amps (2 15 amp fuses)
The WS-420 draws about 1 amp (1 5 amp fuse)
The Sony radio/remote draws about 1 amp (1 5 amp fuse)
So conservatively about 32 amps draw. Each Optima is rated at 75 AH for 155 minutes at 25 amps. Using the Peukert Calculation, it looks like close to 7 hours at maximum volume for my system. I do not plan to run them down to see. I am sure someone on here can calculate it more accurately than this, but I do not expect to have any problems during a day on the lake ... and if I do, that's what the fourth battery is for.
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