Duracell vs. Optima

[todda]

Anyone had any experience with the new Duracell battery that is comparable to the Optima? I just had an Optima Blue Top fail on our vacation (...bummer!). Now, with that being said, our boat doesn't get used enough, and the Optima was 6 yrs old (which, has to be said b/c aa 6 yr old battery is pretty good). So, not to bag on Optima, but I decided to try the Duracell gel Deep Cycle just as a change. $$ is pretty much exact (Duracell -$10).

Todd

[shag]

I think if you got any battery to go past 5 years you are very fortunate.

[EntiatSkier]

How was your trip other than the battery failing todda? : )

[Beach-TJ]

I run an Optima Yellow Top in my Jeep, and I abuse it pretty hard, it is still going strong, and I'm very happy with it. It sits for long periods, and it's used to winch with (400+ amp load). But, I put it in 11 years ago (yes, 11). From many of my friends experiences, Optima's just are not what they use to be. Most of the Optima's I know of that were put in in the last 5 or 6 years are already dead. When I needed a new battery for the boat I decided to give this one a shot http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...1&blockType=L1 , seamed like a good battery at a resonable price, for a Absorbed Glass Mat battery. So far, so good, but I only have this season on it.

[todda]

Beach-TJ,

Yeah, that is one reason that I went with the Duracell. From the little research that I did, I found out that the Optima's of 10 yrs ago were far better, and now they are made in Mexico, where as the Duracell is USA. Sounds like the Optima's of old would get a good solid 10 yrs many times, now lucky to get 5.

[Beach-TJ]

Exactly, I figure if I'm going to spend twice as much on a battery I want it to last twice as long. I can get 4 or 5 years out of a normal battery. I looked at that Duracell also. So many of the gell's haven't been out long enough to know if they will last 10 years or more.

[surroundsound64]

I buy the cheapie walmart batteries, use them all summer and let it sit dead all winter. Then come next summer I take it in and it usually gets warrantied. Them just repeat the next year! Hehe. Some junk is just good enough to be useful!