What's the "right" battery if I might drain it dead?

[davepl]

Some of my vehicles don't get driven very often, and if I forget to put a maintenance charger on it, it's really hard on most batteries to be allowed to drain until dead.

Are there any batteries that are more "tolerant" of that? Of course the solution is not to do it, but if an Optima can take that and laugh it off, it might be worth the price premium.

If not, am I as good off grabbing a generic Costco battery as anything else?

I'd prefer to buy online if I can get it at a decent price (nothing local to patronize, and if I can avoid an hour round trip, I will!).

Thanks,
Dave

[70STOVEBOLT]

Marine deep cycle battery.

[Mike C]

Deep cycles most likely to come back from the dead, but I'm an Optima fanboy. I think I have 12 of them, the oldest are 12 years old.

The secret is either a disconnect switch or just disconnecting the batter when you park it. An Optima keeps charge for at least 6 months disconnected.

[truckster]

Marine or RV deep cycle batteries will tolerate many more complete discharges than ordinary batteries.

[Andy4639]

I have had good luck with the Odyssey batteries. They will hold a charge for 12 months after a full charge. So they say.

Phenomenal starting power and massive deep cycle reserve power in one battery!
Some batteries provide enormous cranking power. Others, deep cycle reserve power. The revolutionary ODYSSEY® battery is designed to do both.

How is this possible? The answer begins with flat plates made of 99.99% pure lead - not lead alloy. Pure lead plates can be made thinner, so we can fit more of them in the battery. More ODYSSEY battery plates mean more plate surface area. And that means more power – twice as much as conventional batteries.

In fact, ODYSSEY batteries are capable of providing engine cranking pulses in excess of 2250 amps for 5 seconds – double to triple that of equally sized conventional batteries, even at very low temperatures. And they can handle 400 charge-discharge cycles to 80% depth of discharge.

This extreme combination of power and performance makes ODYSSEY batteries perfect for a range of applications, including automotive/LTV, marine, commercial, and powersports.



http://www.odysseybattery.com/extreme_batteries.aspx

[jdw]

Just get a couple batteries and swap them in when needed.

[Matt Cramer]

My experience with Optimas (at least the regular red top - I suspect yellow top versions are different) is that they're less tolerant of being drained than a conventional battery. They're more of an impact / vibration resistant unit but their construction doesn't help with being deep cycled. However, marine deep cycle batteries are meant to stand up to this.

[Tom Vogel]

[QUOTE=Andy4639;7676920][B][COLOR="Red"]I have had good luck with the Odyssey batteries. They will hold a charge for 12 months after a full charge.
/QUOTE]
Yes, but they aint cheap. Don't get me wrong.. I own one.

[QUOTE=Matt Cramer;7677014]My experience with Optimas (at least the regular red top - I suspect yellow top versions are different) is that they're less tolerant of being drained than a conventional battery.
Its not that they are less tolerant, its just that the charger won't sense them if they re completely discharged. It takes an Optima charger to reawaken them.

[GRX]

Another vote for Optima blue top deep cycle marine. Have two that are approaching 14 years old and still going strong.

The pamphlet that came with them said no high amp charging. So these have only seen the 2-amp setting on my chargers. Which may have something to do with their longevity.

[AnotherWs6]

Well you can't just throw a deep cycle battery into a normal vehicle because of charging incompatibility issues, or have I been wrong all of these years?

[toolboxchev]

Nice Andy, I know what to pit that Optima battery against when I add the additional battery tray!

[jjzepplin]

I have both An Optima Yellow Top and deep cycles. My yellow is an 07 and my deeps are Walmart $60 cheapo's. My yellow just keeps on trucking but when I replace others in the fleet I go Cheapo Wally world. So far one has lasted past the 1 year warranty by two years. I run duals in my avatar and throw a trickle charger on the sometimes when i think about it but they keep on working So I am happy. Really surprised at them. I never run them til they are dead but still.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by AnotherWs6

Well you can't just throw a deep cycle battery into a normal vehicle because of charging incompatibility issues, or have I been wrong all of these years?

RV deep cycle batteries don't have a problem with charging on a 12v alternator system. I have two in my motorhome, and as long as I remember to periodically check the electrolyte level they work fine.

I don't know if the same is true about marine deep cycle batteries because I don't own one.

[jjzepplin]

Both in my truck are marine deep cycles from Wally World and they have been fine for 3 years.

[Mike C]

Starting and deep cycle are the two main battery types. Deep cycle marine usually means the type of terminals it has. Regular lead top and 5/16" studs.

But Gel type batteries are just better IME than lead acid batteries. And if you will NOT run them down when you aren't using them (ie disconnect it when it sits) they stay charged and last a LONG time in my experience.

I just took the 12 year old Optimas out of my Duramax truck and retired them to a couple of square body farm trucks. If they fail next week I got my $ worth but I'm betting they go a couple more years.

In 2004 I was getting Optimas for $90 at Sam's Club. That ship has sailed but I put the same style Red Top back in both positiions.

If you do discharge an Optima fully, they can likely be restored, but NOT with a conventional battery charger. If you use Google to inquire about how to re-charge a fully drained Optima you can see how to do it with a regular charger and a battery. Or an AGM specific charger.

[Andy4639]

[quote=Tom Vogel;7677021][QUOTE=Andy4639;7676920][B][COLOR="Red"]I have had good luck with the Odyssey batteries. They will hold a charge for 12 months after a full charge.
/QUOTE]
Yes, but they aint cheap. Don't get me wrong.. I own one.

Originally Posted by Matt Cramer

My experience with Optimas (at least the regular red top - I suspect yellow top versions are different) is that they're less tolerant of being drained than a conventional battery.
Its not that they are less tolerant, its just that the charger won't sense them if they re completely discharged. It takes an Optima charger to reawaken them.

I own 12 at the moment! They do work good for a 60 MPH golf cart!

[garyd1961]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

Marine deep cycle battery.

NO, marine batteries don't last long and don't have much warranty. Most boaters have to change them every year or two.

[GRX]

Their website states the deep cycle are dual-purpose. For both starting and high accessory loads. Vibration is the enemy where marine batteries are concerned. Same with off road vehicles. Reason I went with Optima in the first place. My old Cj7 was eating batteries for breakfast and had zero troubles after going with the Blue top. Wanted the extra screw terminals for accessories. Price was so good I got a second to use in my GTO.