Optima as aux

I'm up for a new aux in my GU and the old ones going on the ute.

I'm looking at an optima d31a but I'm worried about the extra weight on the wheel arch but the extra AH would be nice, who's running Agm or gel batts under the bonnet? And how longs it lasted?

I have a feeling the first link will be cheaper as the last batt from all purpose batteries was around 40$ postage

http://www.optima-batteries.com.au/o...-top-d31a.html

http://www.allpurposebatteries.com.a...roducts_id=416

Or should I go a lighter/cheeper lower AH one in the range like the http://www.optima-batteries.com.au/o...top-d3478.html

Any one know where to get the optima range cheeper?

I have a pair of them under the bonnet of the GUIV. the D31A is a great battery and not any heavier than anything else you might put under there.

I bought mine from Rays Outdoors when they had a 25% off sale. LOL worked well. made them CHEAP!! I have had them under the bonnet for at least 3 years??? maybe a little longer. I have had the 40LT engel running permanently in the back for 18 months. I have been very very happy with them.

i understand though you really should have a matching pair of batteries under the bonnet for optimum charging and battery life.

Hiya MT,

Some AGM's are spec'd for higher temps like under the bonnet and some aren't.
Having said that no Lead Acid battery likes really high temps such as sitting next to a Turbo

Personally I reckon if a battery is for use as a house battery IE totally for car fridges, camping etc etc then a nice spot somewhere down the back is best.
Totally agree that doesn't suit everyone tho

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MudRunnerTD

I have a pair of them under the bonnet of the GUIV. the D31A is a great battery and not any heavier than anything else you might put under there.

I bought mine from Rays Outdoors when they had a 25% off sale. LOL worked well. made them CHEAP!! I have had them under the bonnet for at least 3 years??? maybe a little longer. I have had the 40LT engel running permanently in the back for 18 months. I have been very very happy with them.

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Thanks, can you remember what the price was with 25% off? All the local shops here want over 400$ for the smaller 55AH battery! And battery world would have been close to $600 for the 75AH d31a

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MudRunnerTD

i understand though you really should have a matching pair of batteries under the bonnet for optimum charging and battery life.

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Yea I keep hearing this also but can't say I've ever had the same or had any issues as a result

Yeah they were under $300 each for the 75amp batteries.

Optima batteries have a BAD reputation here in the US. I had very poor life out of 2 red top optima batteries and will NEVER buy them again. Here in the US, they are relatively cheap, typical red top is around US$150. Both red tops died within 2-3 years (just past warranty...) which makes them no better than an wet SLA for 2x or more the cost. This is in normal use, no extreme heats, no extreme vibration issues etc. The replacement SLA battery has been running fine for 2 years and I'll bet it happily lasts another 2-3 years.

Optima batteries were good years ago, unfortunately they moved manufacturing (supposedly to Mexico) and initiated cost cutting.

If you search US 4wd forums you'll find plenty of negative comments and reports of short battery life and overnight failures (works one day, dead the next). Odyssey AGM batteries are 'the' battery of choice for many in the US 4wd scene and are sold under another label or two, an expensive battery though.

Anyhow, knowing how much we get ripped off for things in oz (especially battery prices), I would not recommend wasting any extra $$ on an optima.

cheers,
george.

A Mega I run a Trojan 115 wet cell for for my aux , great bang for your buck, keep the water up to them and you'll get 4 yrs easy.
These are the same batteries they use one the Bouys out in Port Phillip Bay, I put a wet kit on mine for an extra $70
makes topping up the battery very easy. I've had no under bonnet issues at all.
Those Odessy batteries were all the rage 15 years ago but I think they priced themselves out of the market.
Highly recommend the Trojan and very affordable as well IMO

I've got 2 Optima yellow tops under my bonnet. One is a smaller D34 and is about 6 years old. It is my starter battery now but used to be the aux battery next to the turbo for about 3 years. Still works perfect. I only just recently bought a D31? the large 75a/h to use as the aux and it actually came with a little sticker on top of it which says "Made in Mexico." It is next to the turbo and holding up quite well so far, it has only been about 6 months though so time will tell. I got mine through a mate who has a friend which is apparently an optima rep so got it pretty close to cost price.

I've go nothing negative to say about Optimas as they have only been brilliant for me especially compared to exide N70's (lead/acid) which both died quite quickly under the bonnet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by georges80

Optima batteries have a BAD reputation here in the US. I had very poor life out of 2 red top optima batteries and will NEVER buy them again. Here in the US, they are relatively cheap, typical red top is around US$150. Both red tops died within 2-3 years (just past warranty...) which makes them no better than an wet SLA for 2x or more the cost. This is in normal use, no extreme heats, no extreme vibration issues etc. The replacement SLA battery has been running fine for 2 years and I'll bet it happily lasts another 2-3 years.

Optima batteries were good years ago, unfortunately they moved manufacturing (supposedly to Mexico) and initiated cost cutting.

If you search US 4wd forums you'll find plenty of negative comments and reports of short battery life and overnight failures (works one day, dead the next). Odyssey AGM batteries are 'the' battery of choice for many in the US 4wd scene and are sold under another label or two, an expensive battery though.

Anyhow, knowing how much we get ripped off for things in oz (especially battery prices), I would not recommend wasting any extra $$ on an optima.


george.

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cheers George , I've seen the odyssey batteries and they do sound good but as threedogs said they have majorly out priced themselves so that not an option due to that .when you say an overnight failure is that having it for 2-3 yrs and one night bam.. It's dropped a cell? Or I just put it in and now its dead?

I've only ever used calcium deep cycle batteries as I can't be bothered having to look at fluid levels. The faster charge rate of the optima also appeals over my previous batteries.