Batteries

[azbound]

Looking for some suggestions for new Batteries. We don't boon-dock and I don't think I need Golf Cart Batteries. Has anyone had any experience with Optima Blue Top Batteries? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Rigmover06]

I have 2 Interstate RV/Marine Batteries Mounted in my Cyclone. And they work awesome. Can handle the charge and discharging all the time. I also used the Deep Cycles in my Dodge 3500 and the Peterbilt and they stand up to the abuse I put them through.

 

[rogerlouden]

Rigmover, I was thinking of adding a second battery in mine because one just doesn't cut it. Did you add a second battery carrier, replace the original with a two battery carrier, or just tarp strap it tight to the first one? Also did you replace the cable or just add on another to tie them together?

Roger

 

[2010augusta]

In my experience, if you are camping with hookups, the converter is constantly charging the batteries, so a good heavy duty RV/marine batteries will hold up just fine, but the build quality of the optima blue tops is awesome. I use red tops in my rock-crawling Jeep, and will switch the LM over to blue tops when the dealer installed batteries give up the ghost.

Another thing to remember is the AGM batteries require a different charging "brain" with some of the charge wizard systems.

 

[Bill1374]

For the past several years, I've been using a pair of Interstate 6 volts. At the moment they are temporarily fastened in the trailer until I figure a good permanent mounting. Since we go without hookups for several weeks each summer, this system works well for us.

Bill

 

[Bobby A]

In my experience, if you are camping with hookups, the converter is constantly charging the batteries, so a good heavy duty RV/marine batteries will hold up just fine, but the build quality of the optima blue tops is awesome. I use red tops in my rock-crawling Jeep, and will switch the LM over to blue tops when the dealer installed batteries give up the ghost.

Another thing to remember is the AGM batteries require a different charging "brain" with some of the charge wizard systems.

What do you mean by AGM ?? charging brain and charge wizard system ??
Is this Optima blue top a different kind of battery ??

 

[2010augusta]

What do you mean by AGM ?? charging brain and charge wizard system ??
Is this Optima blue top a different kind of battery ??

Adsorbed Glass Mat, The "six-pack" batteries are completely different that the typical Lead-Acid batteries. AGM and Gelled batteries require a charging voltage that does not exceed 14.00 volts (summer temperatures may require even lower voltages). Unfortunately almost all automotive charging systems have a permanently fixed set point voltage that exceeds 14.00 and this spells trouble. Subjecting the batteries to (commonly found) 14.6 volts for a prolonged period will eventually destroy them. Progressive Dynamics makes chargers that can be programed for AGMs, but I do not know if the PD9200 series that I have in the Landmark is one of them or not. Here is a link to the company that make the converters Charge wizard is the micropressor controled charging system the the converter uses to know when to charge and when to stop.