MacGregorSailors.com

Yup, I know use the search button, did that and got 1995 posts. Anyway, I need 2 new batteries for the my Mac, first since we purchased in 05. My question is? Which have you found to be the best overall in general? Marine 12V lead, gel, Automotive?
Thanks

I read alot before adding my second battery. Someone on this site apparently did some research and said that the Wal-Mart Batteries are rated as one of the best. I went with the Marine 27 series from Wally and when my original battery gets tired i will add a second of the same 27 marine from Wal-Mart. One thing I found when researching is that many asked if the deep cycle marine would crank the 50 or larger motors. It is funny but it seemed to me that all would say it should ect but no one ever said they had started the motor cold with just the 27 marine battery. Well it will . On the Honda 50 anyway.

Gary

I like wet cells. I have 2 Rolls brand group 27 which are awesome.. great price..great performance.

Many like gell or AGM. I prefer wet cell due to better price/performance/weight factors

I'm guilty of overkill... all SEAHORSE had when I bought her [ feb 08] was the main cranking battery. then I added a second ordinary car wet battery for accessories. and after research, got one of those controllers. Not the same breed as available on the US scene, but this Aussie one does the same job. Charges up the main battery, via the outboard alternator, then shunts to the accessory battery. A spare but good one a relly gave me...at no cost to me.
Then along comes a neighbour with an offer of any number of sealed gel batteries, small car size about 35 amp/hour at five dollars each. They come off marine navigation lights and are changed at regular INTERVALS WHETHER THEY NEED TO OR NOT. So next thing you know I have FIVE ...IN A LINE...batteries on the accessory circuit. About 190 amp/ hours storage...just enough to keep the GPS going...HAHA...When I finally get my solar panel to keep up to them, it will be better...Hardly need water ballast. Puggsy

Here's a pic of the unit I fitted...A " REDARC' CONTROLLER...



quite a bit different from the US unit. Puggsy

I went with the gel battery for the secondry. It was not much more than the wet cell - and had all the advantages. Talking about batteries for ballast - I know of a local guy who has just finished building his 45' steel keel boat. He has mounted 2400Ahr of batteries down in the bilge + a huge inverter. He is charging these with a bank of solar panels and wind generator and alternators on the motor and genset. He wants to be able to run the air conditioner while cruising. As the 26M has 300lb of permanent ballast - it would be good to be able to remove this and use batteries as ballast - kills two birds with one stone.

Cheers

Currently have the wet batteries installed by the factory/dealer but will be replacing them with Gel when they die. Gel batteries are more expensive up front but will dramatically outlast wet batteries if taken care of. On my previous boat I installed a house bank of 3 gel in 1994, those same batteries were still running strong when I sold the boat last summer. They were kept charged primarily by solar panel but saw plenty of use and abuse as we lived aboard full time for 3 years most of that on the hook.
Mark

Do not confuse Gel cell batteries with AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat). AGMs can be mounted in any position like gels and do not out gas like the wet/flooded cells. Gel cells require special care and feeding for charging, AGMs do not.

Please do lots of research on the battery manufactures websites. The kids in Wally World, Costco, Etc. have not a clue.

~Rich

i believe in the:
"2 of the same WalMart marine batteries installed at the same time with a combiner and 1,2,off, both switch"

the beauty of the WalMart marine battery concept is purely financial. if they go out in 3 years, buy two more.
that is, it's cheap and simple, and works.

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

Bobby T.-26X #4767 wrote:i believe in the:
"2 of the same WalMart marine batteries installed at the same time with a combiner and 1,2,off, both switch"

the beauty of the WalMart marine battery concept is purely financial. if they go out in 3 years, buy two more.
that is, it's cheap and simple, and works.

I prefer the 3 switch solution. A bit simpler to use (ie you never need to touch the switches) West Marine advisor was my inspiration to do my boat this way.

I bit the bullet last year and went with two Otima deep cycle AGM batteries.

Here's why -

They do not self discharge like conventional batteries which means they start up no problem after sitting all winter idle and it means they holds charges much better during periods of nonuse,

They charge much faster then traditional batteries which means they fully charge typically from normal outboard operation and you don't have to take them home and charge them and bring them back to the dock or plug in and run chargers and all that stuff. Plus they have more consistent voltage across the discharge curve.

Provides up to twice the life of conventional batteries, but they do cost about 3 times more so they are the Cadillac of batteries.

Spill-proof, even if the case is physically ruptured and they operate in any position which means you can turn them upside down and they still work just the same.

Will not off-gas in normal operation, eliminating fumes, odor & corrosion. Which means no hydrogen gas given off while you are sleeping in the cabin and operating running lights.

Over 14x more shock and vibration resistant than conventional batteries, which means you can beat the heck out of thesebatteries and they still keep working.

Provides more power from a smaller package which means they are physically smaller than conventional batteries and fit into tight and small compartments.

True zero maintenance. Which means I will never charge them, fill them or even think about them for the next 5 to 6 years then I'll test them and see how they are doing.

Kind Regards,
JonBill

Thanks all, just what i was looking for
Bruce

My experience with the Optima batteries has been somewhat different. I bought two, for all the theoretical reasons stated above. They worked well for one season only--it did not seem to me that they recharged much faster than the previous batteries I used to have (on deep cycle for a house battery, one regular for the engine). I left them connected over the winter, trusting the ad. In the spring, they were both down to zero--so much for the maintenance free and holding their charge. I trickle carged them as per the instructions and they carried me through the season, acting erratically and giving me plenty of headaches: I had to debug the electrical system step by step (the whole system includes two separate busses, an automated separator, solar panel and solar booster, plus a permanent electric cooler ) until I finaly realized that what I considered the strongest link in the system (the famous Optima) was the culprit. I took it back to the dealer and surprize! The Optima batteries are guaranteed for only one year as compared to your regular cheapo walmart batteries that go for a fraction of the price, but are typically guaranteed for three. The battery probably went bad within one year, but I was stupid enough to consider them bullet-proof and waited too long.

I say pooh to the Cadillac of batteries. One regular battery for the engine (the ETEC doesn't need a lot of umph to start) and the biggest I could get in terms of amps-hours of a house battery is good enough for me, even if I change both batteries every four years or so. If they break down sooner, replacement is free

Their cool looks do not justify the obscene price tag and the deceptively humble warranty. But then again, I've never been partial to Cadillacs, either for trailering or for fun.

March wrote:My experience with the Optima batteries has been somewhat different. I bought two, for all the theoretical reasons stated above. They worked well for one season only--it did not seem to me that they recharged much faster than the previous batteries I used to have (on deep cycle for a house battery, one regular for the engine). I left them connected over the winter, trusting the ad. In the spring, they were both down to zero--so much for the maintenance free and holding their charge. I trickle carged them as per the instructions and they carried me through the season, acting erratically and giving me plenty of headaches: I had to debug the electrical system step by step (the whole system includes two separate busses, an automated separator, solar panel and solar booster, plus a permanent electric cooler ) until I finaly realized that what I considered the strongest link in the system (the famous Optima) was the culprit. I took it back to the dealer and surprize! The Optima batteries are guaranteed for only one year as compared to your regular cheapo walmart batteries that go for a fraction of the price, but are typically guaranteed for three. The battery probably went bad within one year, but I was stupid enough to consider them bullet-proof and waited too long.

I say pooh to the Cadillac of batteries. One regular battery for the engine (the ETEC doesn't need a lot of umph to start) and the biggest I could get in terms of amps-hours of a house battery is good enough for me, even if I change both batteries every four years or so. If they break down sooner, replacement is free

Their cool looks do not justify the obscene price tag and the deceptively humble warranty. But then again, I've never been partial to Cadillacs, either for trailering or for fun.

Not overly impressed with the optima in my truck. It is OK, but doesn't seem to have the ooph of the higher amp wet cell it replaced (after 8 years of service - costco brand battery at 1/3 the price)

March wrote:I took it back to the dealer and surprize! The Optima batteries are guaranteed for only one year

Below are listed some of the Optima Battery Warranties none of which are for only one year, so perhaps your dealer was mistaken on your warrantee. Is it possible that you had a short in your system? Or is it possible you installed the batteries incorrectly? Or maybe mixed AGM and wet cell which you aren't suppose to do? Or maybe you choose the wrong battery type and it wasn't a deep cell marine type or did not have enough amp hour rating for your application and was too small? And maybe you just got a lemon battery, as all products are subject to that possibility. I've never charged my AGM batteries other than from normal operation of the motor and twice have gone 4 months without starting and they start right up. I switched to them because the local fishing guides swear by them as the best thing going.

Personally I don't care what battery anybody buys, but I think I made the right choice for me. They obviously didn't work for you for whatever reason so it wasn't the right choice for you.

The Optima warranty is honored at Optima dealers nationwide.
Model Optima Manufacturer's Warranty
D31M 18 months free replacement + 18 months pro-rated
D34M 18 months free replacement + 18 months pro-rated
TF1800 18 months free replacement + 18 months pro-rated
34M 18 months free replacement + 18 months pro-rated
D31A 24 months free replacement + 12 months pro-rated
D31T 24 months free replacement + 12 months pro-rated
34 36 months free replacement + 36 months pro-rated
34/78 36 months free replacement + 36 months pro-rated
34R 36 months free replacement + 36 months pro-rated
75/25 36 months free replacement + 36 months pro-rated
35 36 months free replacement + 36 months pro-rated
25 36 months free replacement + 36 months pro-rated
6V 24 months free replacement + 36 months pro-rated

Kind Regards,
JonBill