any opinions on durability of these
- posted
17 years ago
any opinions on durability of these
I have never used the automobile ones, but I have used the marine deep cycle ones and they do last longer under rough conditions than conventional batteries.
On the other hand, for what they cost, I think you're still paying less per month of use by purchasing an oversized conventional battery.
--scott
They last 'pretty' good, but still up and die like regular batteries if used off road. One of mine lasted until it's 'very' short warranty was 'just' up, then a cell died and I was out a battery. The other that I don't use off road has lasted about 7 years on an occasional driver so far.
For off road I am going to stick to the chain store batteries with their
5 year warranty so at least when a cell goes bad from vibration I can just go to the nearest chain store and replace it 'free'.I got suckered into their hype as an indestructible battery. As usual the hype was pure bullshit.
Just my $0.02,
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view! Jan/06Any manufacturer will say their product(s) are the best.I have read about Optima batteries before at their website and other websites.I am not knocking them though.About three years ago,I bought one of Sears lowest priced batteries (about $29.00) for my 1978 Dodge van.So far,it is still working real good. cuhulin
I like them. They seem to outlast conventional batteries by about 2-3 years, and since they don't outgas at all they don't cause nearly as much incidental corrosion (none, in fact). They also don't self-discharge so I can start my stored cars after sitting 6 months without pre-charging the battery.
They are overpriced, though. Not a winner if battery LIFE is all that you measure by.
Just FYI, they do still out gas according to Optima so you still have to watch for sparks when boosting...
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view! Jan/06
I've heard mine out gas (hiss) a little bit when charging it before, although it doesn't seem to do it nearly as much as the conventional battery I had before. Of course, that's not really a scientific observation.
John.
They CAN out-gas under abnormal conditions, so Optima has to put that warning on them. But they shouldn't under normal condition. If they do, it means that the internal safety seal has popped (usually due to overcharging), and the battery will be dead before long. There are porous plugs int the top of the battery that keep dirt and crud out even if the internal seal pops open. Under normal operation, they remain completely closed to gasses.
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