Need new batteries

[gride]

Right now I have 3 optima blue tops. I have a syn6, apx480m, and apx280m(2 ch. Version of the 480), a 420, and a few neons(yes, old school). I'd like to get down to two batteries. Can I with those electronics and what should I get? As long as it's quality I don't care about name.

[bchesley]

I have two type 65 Odyssey batteries powering a syn 1 on my sub, syn 4 on tower, syn 4 on interior, ws420, and will soon have three jabsco ballast pumps. I had this setup on my 98 and no issues what so ever. This will actually be my third summer using them and they have never let me down.

[gride]

MY current batteries have like 750 cca. The 65 only has around 200. ?

[gride]

http://www.365salespoint.com/product...p?i=B001UFXHQI

How about that battery?
Or

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...uestid=1950395

[bchesley]

Check out these.

http://odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc1750t.htm

[gride]

Too pricey. How about deka? I can get good deals, but no experience with them.

[EarmarkMarine]

The Odyssey PC1750 AGM shows to have a reserve capacity of 135 min @ 25 amps.
The Deka 8A31DTM group 31 AGM has a reserve capacity of 200 min @ 25 amps.
An Optima 34M is smaller than the normal group 24 and has a reserve capacity of 110 min @ 25 amps.
There are all different grades of batteries ranging from consumer to industrial levels so it may be hard to compare head to head on RC specs alone. But the Deka is a fine battery.
For typical consumer-grade deep cycle batteries they age poorly when you routinely deep discharge them below 50 percent capacity which is right at 12 volts. So the larger the battery capacity the shallower the cycle and the better the performance and longevity. So until you exceed the capacity of your alternator to handle a discharged load you are far better off with extra capacity.

David
Earmark Marine

[gride]

I'd really like to spend no more than 200$ for each battery. What would earmark install in that situation? 3 amps, and a few neons are what's on it after market. I have a ctek 7002

[bchesley]

Just an FYI. The Sears Platinum batteries are made by odyssey and are the exact same AGM makeup, however, are only $205 each. I just put two of them in my Dodge Diesel and with tax it was like $435. Just as for the 65 series platinum batteries.

[EarmarkMarine]

gride,
There is a long list of benefits for AGMs (I'm a big fan) but standard wet batteries are always going to be the better value in amp/hours.
The Interstate group 29 marine deep cycle is the best bang for the buck. You don't need any more than a group 24 for a starting battery. However, I like to run a group 29 on the cranking side also with a simple dual battery switch scheme. With symmetrical batteries you can alternate weekend to weekend which bank you are deep cycling for the stereo. This will actually extend the life of your batteries. Obviously if you go larger on the stereo side or use an ACR/VSR scheme the symmetrical battery idea isn't going to work anymore.
An SRM-29 has a reserve capacity @ 25 amps of 210 minutes or figure about 95 amp/hours minimum for a battery that runs less than $140.
Because the CTEK charger uses pulse technology it charges a little larger than its 7 amp rating. But with a collective 200 amp/hours of battery capacity you absolutely need to step up to a second and identical CTEK in order to guard against sulfation. This is particularly important when deep cycling rather than just starting. And, you want to profile and charge/condition each bank independently. Getting your charger situation right will greatly impact the weekend to weekend battery performance and can add several seasons to your battery's lifespan.

David
Earmark Marine

[gride]

I'm def. Going with the 29m x2. Explain charging to me with 2 7002's. I'm very confused. I thought I could just charge them with the perko set to "all."

[gride]

I usually don't run the stereo for more than 30-60 min. At a time.

[gride]

Final question: which is better? 2 duralast 27dp for 94.99 with a 3 year warranty, 800cca, and a res. Cap. Of 180; or 2 interstate srm-29 for approximately 115.00 with a 1 year warranty, 675cca, and a res. Cap. Of 210. The 1 year warranty is replacement, and so is the 3 year if I am not mistaken. I realize Jonson controls makes both and I do have an interstate store here.

[EarmarkMarine]

gride,
No comment on which brand of batteries as I haven't found a bad deep cycle battery yet from the prominent brands...just bad chargers, no chargers or poor charging disciplines. Cranking amps are not as important in warm weather with a small block and a larger battery like a group 27, 29 or 31. However, amp/hours are the big factor for stereo play, trolling motors and similar usage. Stay away from a dual purpose and go with a true deep cycle.
First, with 200 collective amp/hours you should have a smart multi-stage charger capacity of 10 to 13 percent of that which would be 20 to 26 amps. You have 7 amps. But as stated above, because the CTEK uses pulse technology its desulphation ability is greater than its current capacity suggests. But you are still light. Second, as each battery is used differently, it ages differently, developes a different impedance and is placed into storage with a different level of charge on each bank. A smart charger profiles and sequences through the various charging stages accordingly. A dual bank charger keeps you from over/under charging. You can use a single bank charger but its not optimum. Its simply a matter of stretching more life from your batteries in a) having the correct current capacity and b) independent charging.

David
Earmark Marine

[gride]

Probably going with the duralast to save a little coin, but when I get them I will order another 7002.