optima yellow top question

bruttenberg · Posted: Feb 08, 2004 4:37 am Post subject: optima yellow top question

I need to add another battery to my boat for the soon to be installed system. Many people here and on other boards recommend the Optima, yellow top in particular.

1st question - why the yellow top? There are red tops, blue tops and green tops, so why the yellow?

2nd question - which model of yellow top? I think the main difference between yellow top models is physical dimensions and cold cranking amps. Is this correct? Which model of yellow top do you guys use.

3rd question - Is there any other battery besides the Optima that I should consider for stereo upgrade purposes?

Thanks a lot.

wakejunky · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 147 City: Cal.

I work at a boat shop and let me tell you how many boats with multiple batteries show up with BOTH batteries dead. There is a correct way to hook up multiple batteries.

1.) Match your batteries, lead and gel charge at different rates so, one ends up pulling from the other when not fully charged.
2.) Put in a battery isolator/relay to do your charging. The battery switches are just in case and the isolator/relay is for normal charging when the engine is running. Using an isolator/relay also eliminates the need to remember to switch the battery switch 1/2/both back and forth for when you are sitting and chilling and running (needing to charge 2nd battery)

I have a switch and isolator/relay and have two lead acid batteries. I keep the switch on 1 and rely on the isolator to charge my second battery only when underway. Then I can either kill my second battery listening to tunes and not worry about having to start the boat or if I just so happen to kill my 1st battery, I can flip the switch to either 2 or both and jump start myself.
This ensures that you almost never have a dead boat battery and you can still run down your stereo battery.
The yellow top is a deep cycle battery, it can take multiple drains and still be able to charge back up to 12v. Because they are gel they charge at a slightly lower rate than lead acid. That is why you need matched battery types. May not be as important with the isolator/relay.
Again the yellow tops are more for deep cycling ie running stuff for long periods of time - RV lights, fishing trolling motors etc So, they aren't made so much for cranking engines over which require large amounts of amps. Although they can do this, just not designed for such.

Chris

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

bruttenberg -

wakejunky is right on the money. I had a similar delimma this winter, and I chose to install the following:

1. Optima Blue Top for starter battery;
2. Optima Yellow Top for house battery;
3. Perko 1-2-BOTH-OFF battery switch;
4. West Marine Battery Isolator;
5. ProMarine Dual Bank Battery Charger

With this set up, I have matched battery types (Gel Cell), a Perko switch that will let me choose between batteries in the event of a failure of either & the ability to turn them both completely OFF, the ability to charge BOTH batteries while the engine is running without having to "remember" to switch the Perko during the day, and finally an easy plug and play mounted charging system when I get back to the garage or boat house. Very Happy

Had to spend more $$$ than I had initially planned, Sad

but now I do not have the PUCKER FACTOR of having no juice out on the lake when I am less than sober. Mr. Green

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

I stand corrected! Embarassed

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

BigDeal -

Do you use the wing-nut terminals? I have had problems in the past with the connection becoming loose, and causing a short. That can ruin your day!

I installed Monster terminal adapters and connectors on my battery cables to eliminate this from happening.

On the last battery that I had, the negative terminal came loose, and caused a short. The battery terminal got so hot, that the bolt in the battery actually came OUT of the battery... Shocked

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

Hyperryd · Addict Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 604 City: Central Cali

There are two types of Blue top Optimas. There is a starting battery and a deep cycle battery. The starting battery is the same as a red top, but it has marine terminals on top as well as the regular terminals. The Blue top deep cycle is the same as the yellow top, but with the marine terminals too. Hope that helps.

bruttenberg · Posted: Feb 09, 2004 4:39 am Post subject:

Is it really that important to match up the batteries? I currently have a regular (lead and acid) deep cycle battery (can't remember make or model). Would it be better to add an identical battery to what I have or get an Optima Yellow Top now and then another when my regular battery goes? Would this be bad for one or both batteries, bad for the alternator?

One more question - I was telling my Grandpa about adding a second battery to my setup and he said why not just carry a jump starter box, which I have. I wasn't sure how to answer this. I assume a second battery on an isolator is just more convenient than pulling out the jump starter and clamping on to the terminals. Any other reason?

Thanks a lot.

PS - can anyone reccomend a capacitor (1 farud - sp?)

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

bruttenberg -

For "normal" use, I don't know of any real issues of combining battery types. If you are looking to charge these batteries, however, there can be issues with the charging system that you choose. If $$ is a concern (when is it not???) I would suggest that you purchase the Optima now for your second battery. When your existing battery dies (and it will) replace it with another Optima and you will be set.

Grandpa is absolutely correct. You do not NEED another battery. A starter box is a great way to have a "reserve" source of power to start your boat.

Our generation is much more "convenience" driven than our elders. So, for me, the convenience of not having to haul extra sh** around in my boat led me to my suggestions.

Hope this helps...

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

BigDeal · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Oct 2003 Posts: 477 City: Orlando

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

THis my be a dumb question, but I use my dad's boat religiously and if it weren't for me, the boat would probably hardly get used. Anyway, he has two batteries hooked up to eachother and then on to wherever the juice is supplied to. When I'm out on the water, I see the battery meter pulling about 16 amps, the farthest to the right on the gauge.

1. Is this bad?
2. Even if this is ok, should I look into fixing this set up?
3. I currently don't have a (system) in the boat but have an extra sub from my truck that I plan on putting in there and am also going to put tower speakers on.....with a different amp running to each of the three (tower speakers, sub, boat speakers) Will I need to install a new setup to provide adequate and safe power to these?
4. I heard when you have two batteries, you need two alternators. Is this true?

Sorry, that's about as specific as I can get without trudging through 75 yards of 2ft deep snow. I also apologize for the hijack.

JR · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 473 City: ATX