Optima's - What size?

[vtrdaz]

In the near future , i'm planning on fitting a split charge setup to run a fridge.
I was thinking about fitting optima's  - a yellow top for the fridge etc and a new red top starter but i'm not sure which size i'll need - i believe they are 3.2l, 4.2l and 5.2l.

Anybody shed any light on this for me?

Or are there cheaper batteries that are as good as optima's?

Cheers
Darren

[smo]

Dont buy optimas, they are silly money, i had some and wasnt overly impressed.

Consider Exxide and many of the other sealed gel type alternatives and save a big wad of cash.

[isle of man]

optima are "tat" and the warranty sucks, i will not buy another after three failures in as many years.




peter henry

[mmgemini]

I use a split charge set-upto run my fridge and other lights when camping.

The vehicle battery is a standard battery. After three years not a problem.

The auxilary battery is an Elecsol. These are old technology boat batteries. You can also buy them at certain caravan shops. Mine is a 90/110 amp thing, huge it is. I did have to modify the battery box to fit it??

My split charger relay is a 15 quid one that's so old I can't remember where or when I got it.

You don't say what vehicle you have. I guess a Defender. SO...
I also fitted a Discovery 100amp alternator as the standard alternator only just ran the fridge.

HTH

[vtrdaz]

mmmm Interesting thoughts on the optima's! - i always thought they were the dogs danglies but obviously not!
The batteries will be for a TD5 90 - i don't really want to chop the battery box about so i'm going to need batteries that are small enough to fit in the box as it is (with a mounting plate).
The exxide batteries - does anyone know any good stockists?

[vtrdaz]

and am i going to have to upgrade the alternator?? :shock:  - hope not

[mmgemini]

You DON'T have to up-grade the alternator. You shouldn't if it's a TD5.

Yes Exxide are supposed to be good.

Have a word with Jon at Venture Overland about batteries.

[vtrdaz]

You DON'T have to up-grade the alternator. You shouldn't if it's a TD5.

Phew thank god about that :lol:
Anyone else got any veiws on the exxide's?

[Sharpshooter]

Funny. Ive had a yellow top on my 110 for 6 years. And its never let me down.

Now i have a winch fitted, i was going to ask what two batteries will fit under the passenger seat in my 110, and give me the power i need. Without having to spend another £200 :)

[extreme90]

not had a problem with my opti's yet  :roll:
touch wood  :shock:
if you were to fit optimas, just link two yellas together dont bother with one of each

oo mine are 4.2's afink  :oops:
55ah they are  :roll:

[mmgemini]

not had a problem with my opti's yet  :roll:
touch wood  :shock:
if you were to fit optimas, just link two yellas together dont bother with one of each

oo mine are 4.2's afink  :oops:
55ah they are  :roll:

So after three days of running the fridge and lights and not moving the vehicle the vehicle will start will it ?

[smo]

not had a problem with my opti's yet  :roll:
touch wood  :shock:
if you were to fit optimas, just link two yellas together dont bother with one of each

oo mine are 4.2's afink  :oops:
55ah they are  :roll:

So after three days of running the fridge and lights and not moving the vehicle the vehicle will start will it ?

If your split charge system works properly yes...also the better fridges shut down when the voltage reaches a certain level to leave enough "starting" juice.

[vtrdaz]

so is it a no for optima's then? :roll:

[Legionnaire]

I bought an Optima red a few months ago and it has worked really well over the winter, my Lany has started everytime I have needed it without recharge where my other 18 month old battery let me down regularly.

Andrew

[Jake]

Go for Odyssey's instead.
Better than anything else on the market for 4x4 use.
 8)

[Sharpshooter]

Someone has mentioned the Exide range. What are peoples views on these? and where can i get them?

[vtrdaz]

The odeyssey's are supposed to be quite good i'm told - but at a price - i recently got quoted £423 fortwo of them.
Seen them on eblag for £150 each though

[Jake]

i recently got quoted £423 for two of them.

Thats a bit steep
Click HERE for Devon 4x4's Odyssey page.
I use 2 PC1500's in my series 1 Discovery but at work we use 2 PC1200's in our overland prepared Series 2 Discovery.
2 x PC1200's are £294.12 (inc vat)
2 x PC1500's are £329.80 (inc vat)
 8)

[dreadnought110]

I run 2 yellow top optima's for the main vehicle and have not had any trouble and i run an elecsol 110 for the auxilary stuff night heater etc.. never had a problem with this set up mind you it's all wired correctley with split charge and 120 amp alternator which i had on the test bench at work the other day and was doing 120amp and 14.2volts 8)  8)  well chuffed... 8)  Oh and all the battery's and alternator came to less than £400... Blinding 8)  8)

[vtrdaz]

i recently got quoted £423 for two of them.

Thats a bit steep
Click HERE for Devon 4x4's Odyssey page.
I use 2 PC1500's in my series 1 Discovery but at work we use 2 PC1200's in our overland prepared Series 2 Discovery.
2 x PC1200's are £294.12 (inc vat)
2 x PC1500's are £329.80 (inc vat)
 8)

I was quoted fro 2 PC1700 batteries , which were recommended - is that a bit of an overkill for what i want?

[Jake]

I was quoted fro 2 PC1700 batteries , which were recommended - is that a bit of an overkill for what i want?

All depends on what you want the batterys to run.
Feel free to contact me via PM or email.
 :D