Light or dark blue Optima???

[DickDanger]

Heres the deal: I am going to be getting an Optima on thurs, and I need advice on which one to get for the old Bahner. I am running a 454 BBC, yada yada yada. So, do I need the starting one, or the deep cycle? I suck with battery applications. Thanks!!! -DD out

[Johnwithjm]

DD I run the red Optima in my boat and it starts a Blowen557 BBC. Have had very good luck with Optima.

[spectras only]

I use the red top starting battery.Great for day trips.Get the blue if you stay longer http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

[BobS]

Check out the FAQ at the Optima web site. It should point you in the right direction.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/faq.asp
Questions 12, 13 and 14

[1stepcloser]

The blue top is the same as the yellow top (both are deep cycle) the blue has screw type top terminals for the marine applications. The yellow is less expensive.
I personally run triple Red tops, one for starting, two for the sound system. No probs, never gone dead, always starts. Great batteries.

[1stepcloser]

Sorry for the thumbs down, shuld have been positive http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif

[rivercrazy]

Do you run a stereo with watts behind it? If so, make sure you get either the Yellow or Blue with the Dark Gray case. That's deep cycle. Light gray case = Starting, not deep cycle.

[mister460]

Get the red top and never look back. Deep cycles are okay but the red top Optima is the best. Tons of cranking power but lots of reserve.

[1stepcloser]

My feeling on deep cycle batteries is they can be run down slowly, like from the sound system, but likewise should be charged back up slowly. This is hard to do with a boat. I prefer the starting types for my purpose, they are designed for quick recharges. (like that of a typical marine alternator.)
I run two amps with my stereo; a 1000 watt for the subs and a 400 watt for the rest. I had no trouble last year with the batteries going dead, even during extended play time in The Channel. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif I think optima really has a superior product that can take this kind of abuse.