@@sebterror you can certainly use BLUETOP batteries in a Jeep, but we offer YELLOWTOP batteries in all the same sizes and in many cases, they offer a longer free-replacement warranty (three years vs two years) www.optimabatteries.com/products/yellowtop/
I use the blue with light grey sides in my trunk as a secondary for my stereo system. Have had good luck with them lasting a long time. I use the studs to hook up the power wires but I noticed on this video you said for high load devices to use the lugs instead of studs.
I have the blue top, dark gray case. I got a deal on it and wasn't paying attention what is was supposed to be used for. I live on a lake and use it for a 55 pound thrust trolling motor. I know it's the wrong battery for what I'm using it for. But I have to tell you, that I've been using like that for well over 15 years. Maybe next year I'll buy a new one. The right one this time.
Curious what you would recommend for an overlanding car with a camping fridge, plenty of lighting, and a winch. I was looking at the blue tops 34m as the starter battery and the D34m as the fridge and accessory battery.
The 34 REDTOP is the same battery as the 34M, but carries an additional year of free replacement warranty coverage. However, if you are connecting that battery to a winch or any other significant electrical accessories, we would recommend a D34 YELLOWTOP, which also offers three years of free replacement warranty coverage. On the house battery, it's difficult to know how much demand you will place on the battery, but Peurket's Law indicates the shallower the discharge cycle, the more cycle life you will see out of a lead-acid battery (including AGM batteries). That would suggest the best course of action would be to use the physically largest battery you can fit in the space available, so it will not only have more reserve capacity, but shallower discharge cycles than a smaller battery and longer lifespan. Whether it's the starting battery or the house battery, the key to maximizing battery performance and lifespan, is keeping your batteries fully-charged whenever possible. The REDTOP (and 34M BLUETOP) is considered fully-charged at about 12.6-12.8V and the YELLOWTOP (and all other BLUETOPs) is considered fully-charged at about 13.0-13.2V.
Either the D34M, D27M or D31M (smallest to largest). All of those batteries are designed & warrantied for deep-cycle use. The 34M BLUETOP is only designed & warrantied for use as a starting battery and would not be appropriate. The larger the battery, the more power it can deliver and in a constant application like a sump pump, the more cycle life you can get out of it. If your power goes out for an hour here or there, a D34M is probably fine. If it goes out for a day or longer, then a larger battery would be more appropriate www.optimabatteries.com/products/marine-rv
I’ve purchased lead acid deep cycle, agm deep cycle, currently running 2 Sams Club Marine&RV Duracell 31 AGM Deep Cycle in my Boat, I’ve squeezed 3 seasons out of these but this last season could tell they weren’t holding a charge very well, on the average all the brands and compositions of battery have lasted an average of 2 seasons. I’m want to purchase 2 Blue optima 31 but afraid they’ll last just a couple of seasons and for the price it’s hard to justify. I’ve been running 2 yellow tops in my Tahoe for many years and am familiar with Optima. I charge and maintain all my batteries with the Optima Digital 400. What’s the best way to maintain the Blue tops all year so to maximize the longevity?
If you have enough time to charge them in between trips to the lake, the Digital 400 will work just fine to charge and maintain Group D31M BLUETOPs. However, if you are looking at using a trolling motor on back-to-back days, you'd want a charger that can charge at a higher rate. Our Digital 1200 charger will charge at a maximum of 12 amps, compared to just 4 amps for the Digital 400. There are also several reputable marine chargers that can charge at higher rates as well. We would encourage you to consider only units that are microprocessor-controlled and have specific settings for AGM (not gel or gel/AGM) batteries www.optimabatteries.com/products/digital-1200/
If you can fit the battery in your UTV, you can use it as long as it provides the current you need, but you'll need to have some type of battery management plan for recharging it.
Have you seen these used with fully electric cars? I have a Subaru Solterra (there are Toyota and Lexus variants of this car), and they have an issue where the provided 12v battery gets discharged. This has led me to purchase a bluetooth battery meter to monitor voltage, and in some instances, the voltage on the battery falls below 12v, so I have to connect my Noco 10 and it's fine for a while. BUT is it possible to use one of these, or maybe the D34 YELLOWTOP on a passenger vehicle?
If an EV uses a 12-volt (low voltage) battery, it's possible an OPTIMA can be used in that application, if it meets or exceeds the specifications of the OE battery, fits in the space available and if properly-vented to the outside atmosphere, if necessary. Many newer vehicles have significant key-off loads, which is why 12-volt batteries are getting larger, even if the engines they start (in ICE applications) are getting smaller. We recommend periodic maintenance charging on all new vehicles, starting out with a monthly cadence and increasing or decreasing frequency, depending on measured voltage. Fully-charged, most 12-volt batteries will measure at least 12.6V and whenever any lead-acid battery is discharged below 12.4V and is left sitting in that state, sulfation begins forming, which diminishes both capacity and lifespan.
The D31M is a 75Ah battery, which essentially explains how much energy is inside the battery. What you'd need to determine is how much energy your water heater needs to function and how you would be delivering it, as you may need some type of inverter, if it isn't a 12-volt water heater.
We are not allowed to recommend products from other manufacturers. If you are looking for a charger to mount in a boat, we would recommend one that is microprocessor-controlled and has specific settings for AGM (not gel/AGM) batteries. There are many great options that offer both of those features.
Is it correct that the D34M only has a c20 capacity of only 55ah (and the D27M 66ah)? Other AGM manufacturers offer over 100ah for those group sizes - or am I missing something? I have a daily load on my cruising boat of around 100ah so need a total house bank capacity of 300 to 400ah.
We've never heard of any AGM manufacturer offering over 100Ah in a Group 34 battery and frankly, we don't know how the math could possibly work in that footprint with lead-acid technology. Are you referring to the specification for minutes of reserve capacity? With that demand in a house bank, we'd recommend our Q31M-DC150, which is a 150Ah battery: www.optimabatteries.com/products/orangetop-q31m-dc150
@optimabatteries That's a lithium battery (not AGM) but OK. Two questions: Out of the claimed 150ah, how much of that is actually useable (in other words, maximum discharge over time). Secondly, can it be used for both deep cycle and start loads i.e could I replace my existing lead acid start battery and my existing lead acid house battery with one of these, to be charged in parallel (by solar or shore or alternator)?
Your first comment cited a D34M (Group 34) battery at 55Ah and suggested other manufacturers offer over 100Ah in that size. Neither the US Battery (Group 27) nor the Northstar (Group 31) you cited subsequently are Group 34 batteries.
@@stephenburnage7687 the Q31M-DP120 can be used in both starting and deep-cycle applications, although you'd want to confirm with the engine manufacturer on their requirements of lithium batteries. The Q31M-DP120 meets or exceeds Mercury's requirements from November 2022. The available cycle life of a lithium battery out of the box is far greater than a lead-acid battery. You will get the Ah specification listed out of either battery and while there is some penalty for deeply-discharging either technology, it is not as great a penalty for lithium. Also, lead-acid batteries will have a greater efficiency loss with higher rates of discharge than lithium batteries. www.optimabatteries.com/products/orangetop-q31m-dp120
@@sanchezfanning334 our 34M batteries with dark gray cases are designed & warrantied for starting applications only, not deep-cycle use, like car audio. If your engine is running and power is provided by your vehicle's charging system, you should be fine
Please tell the manufacter to never-skimp on quality. I paid $350 today (and I don't mind) "I mean I mind, but I don;t mind-because grandpa said, "BUY QUALITY"
I have the blue top, dark gray case. I got a deal on it and wasn't paying attention what is was supposed to be used for. I live on a lake and use it for a 55 pound thrust trolling motor. I know it's the wrong battery for what I'm using it for. But I have to tell you, that I've been using like that for well over 15 years. Maybe next year I'll buy a new one. The right one this time.
BlueTops are my favorite. Absolutely impressive.
Do you recommend for a Jeep?
@@sebterror you can certainly use BLUETOP batteries in a Jeep, but we offer YELLOWTOP batteries in all the same sizes and in many cases, they offer a longer free-replacement warranty (three years vs two years) www.optimabatteries.com/products/yellowtop/
I use the blue with light grey sides in my trunk as a secondary for my stereo system. Have had good luck with them lasting a long time. I use the studs to hook up the power wires but I noticed on this video you said for high load devices to use the lugs instead of studs.
That is our recommendation, especially for winches, but you may be ok with a stereo system
I purchased a D27M for my Old Lance Truck camper after the crappy Everstart died on the way home from our trip. It has been great! Very Pricey though!
I have the blue top, dark gray case. I got a deal on it and wasn't paying attention what is was supposed to be used for. I live on a lake and use it for a 55 pound thrust trolling motor. I know it's the wrong battery for what I'm using it for. But I have to tell you, that I've been using like that for well over 15 years. Maybe next year I'll buy a new one. The right one this time.
I have had them last that long as well. They are the "honda" motors of the battery world.
EXCELLENT EXPLANATION !!!!!!👍👍👍
Curious what you would recommend for an overlanding car with a camping fridge, plenty of lighting, and a winch. I was looking at the blue tops 34m as the starter battery and the D34m as the fridge and accessory battery.
The 34 REDTOP is the same battery as the 34M, but carries an additional year of free replacement warranty coverage. However, if you are connecting that battery to a winch or any other significant electrical accessories, we would recommend a D34 YELLOWTOP, which also offers three years of free replacement warranty coverage.
On the house battery, it's difficult to know how much demand you will place on the battery, but Peurket's Law indicates the shallower the discharge cycle, the more cycle life you will see out of a lead-acid battery (including AGM batteries). That would suggest the best course of action would be to use the physically largest battery you can fit in the space available, so it will not only have more reserve capacity, but shallower discharge cycles than a smaller battery and longer lifespan.
Whether it's the starting battery or the house battery, the key to maximizing battery performance and lifespan, is keeping your batteries fully-charged whenever possible. The REDTOP (and 34M BLUETOP) is considered fully-charged at about 12.6-12.8V and the YELLOWTOP (and all other BLUETOPs) is considered fully-charged at about 13.0-13.2V.
Which Optima blue top would you recommend for a sump pump battery back system with a sentry converter?
Either the D34M, D27M or D31M (smallest to largest). All of those batteries are designed & warrantied for deep-cycle use. The 34M BLUETOP is only designed & warrantied for use as a starting battery and would not be appropriate. The larger the battery, the more power it can deliver and in a constant application like a sump pump, the more cycle life you can get out of it. If your power goes out for an hour here or there, a D34M is probably fine. If it goes out for a day or longer, then a larger battery would be more appropriate www.optimabatteries.com/products/marine-rv
I’ve purchased lead acid deep cycle, agm deep cycle, currently running 2 Sams Club Marine&RV Duracell 31 AGM Deep Cycle in my Boat, I’ve squeezed 3 seasons out of these but this last season could tell they weren’t holding a charge very well, on the average all the brands and compositions of battery have lasted an average of 2 seasons. I’m want to purchase 2 Blue optima 31 but afraid they’ll last just a couple of seasons and for the price it’s hard to justify. I’ve been running 2 yellow tops in my Tahoe for many years and am familiar with Optima. I charge and maintain all my batteries with the Optima Digital 400. What’s the best way to maintain the Blue tops all year so to maximize the longevity?
If you have enough time to charge them in between trips to the lake, the Digital 400 will work just fine to charge and maintain Group D31M BLUETOPs. However, if you are looking at using a trolling motor on back-to-back days, you'd want a charger that can charge at a higher rate. Our Digital 1200 charger will charge at a maximum of 12 amps, compared to just 4 amps for the Digital 400. There are also several reputable marine chargers that can charge at higher rates as well. We would encourage you to consider only units that are microprocessor-controlled and have specific settings for AGM (not gel or gel/AGM) batteries www.optimabatteries.com/products/digital-1200/
Would it be good on a UTV? Considering they don’t have an alternator
If you can fit the battery in your UTV, you can use it as long as it provides the current you need, but you'll need to have some type of battery management plan for recharging it.
@@optimabatteries I appreciate your in-put and time. Great to know
Have you seen these used with fully electric cars? I have a Subaru Solterra (there are Toyota and Lexus variants of this car), and they have an issue where the provided 12v battery gets discharged. This has led me to purchase a bluetooth battery meter to monitor voltage, and in some instances, the voltage on the battery falls below 12v, so I have to connect my Noco 10 and it's fine for a while. BUT is it possible to use one of these, or maybe the D34 YELLOWTOP on a passenger vehicle?
If an EV uses a 12-volt (low voltage) battery, it's possible an OPTIMA can be used in that application, if it meets or exceeds the specifications of the OE battery, fits in the space available and if properly-vented to the outside atmosphere, if necessary.
Many newer vehicles have significant key-off loads, which is why 12-volt batteries are getting larger, even if the engines they start (in ICE applications) are getting smaller. We recommend periodic maintenance charging on all new vehicles, starting out with a monthly cadence and increasing or decreasing frequency, depending on measured voltage.
Fully-charged, most 12-volt batteries will measure at least 12.6V and whenever any lead-acid battery is discharged below 12.4V and is left sitting in that state, sulfation begins forming, which diminishes both capacity and lifespan.
Can I power a water heater with the D31M ?
The D31M is a 75Ah battery, which essentially explains how much energy is inside the battery. What you'd need to determine is how much energy your water heater needs to function and how you would be delivering it, as you may need some type of inverter, if it isn't a 12-volt water heater.
@@optimabatteries oh thanks how I will find that
@@optimabatteries I do have a 4k inverter
Can you recommend a marine charger for charging 2 d34m batteries?
We are not allowed to recommend products from other manufacturers. If you are looking for a charger to mount in a boat, we would recommend one that is microprocessor-controlled and has specific settings for AGM (not gel/AGM) batteries. There are many great options that offer both of those features.
Is it correct that the D34M only has a c20 capacity of only 55ah (and the D27M 66ah)? Other AGM manufacturers offer over 100ah for those group sizes - or am I missing something? I have a daily load on my cruising boat of around 100ah so need a total house bank capacity of 300 to 400ah.
We've never heard of any AGM manufacturer offering over 100Ah in a Group 34 battery and frankly, we don't know how the math could possibly work in that footprint with lead-acid technology. Are you referring to the specification for minutes of reserve capacity? With that demand in a house bank, we'd recommend our Q31M-DC150, which is a 150Ah battery: www.optimabatteries.com/products/orangetop-q31m-dc150
@optimabatteries That's a lithium battery (not AGM) but OK. Two questions: Out of the claimed 150ah, how much of that is actually useable (in other words, maximum discharge over time). Secondly, can it be used for both deep cycle and start loads i.e could I replace my existing lead acid start battery and my existing lead acid house battery with one of these, to be charged in parallel (by solar or shore or alternator)?
@@optimabatteries Blue top C27M = 66ah. US Battery Group 27: 105ah. Northstar Group 31: 102ah (all c20 test).
Your first comment cited a D34M (Group 34) battery at 55Ah and suggested other manufacturers offer over 100Ah in that size. Neither the US Battery (Group 27) nor the Northstar (Group 31) you cited subsequently are Group 34 batteries.
@@stephenburnage7687 the Q31M-DP120 can be used in both starting and deep-cycle applications, although you'd want to confirm with the engine manufacturer on their requirements of lithium batteries. The Q31M-DP120 meets or exceeds Mercury's requirements from November 2022. The available cycle life of a lithium battery out of the box is far greater than a lead-acid battery. You will get the Ah specification listed out of either battery and while there is some penalty for deeply-discharging either technology, it is not as great a penalty for lithium. Also, lead-acid batteries will have a greater efficiency loss with higher rates of discharge than lithium batteries. www.optimabatteries.com/products/orangetop-q31m-dp120
What size are the threaded studs on the blue top D 34 M??
5/16”-18UNC-2A threaded stainless steel stud.
Can it be use for an RV
Yes
So I have two of the dark gray one on a music system so really they not pushing no power out for what I need ?
@@sanchezfanning334 our 34M batteries with dark gray cases are designed & warrantied for starting applications only, not deep-cycle use, like car audio. If your engine is running and power is provided by your vehicle's charging system, you should be fine
Runolfsson Summit
Please tell the manufacter to never-skimp on quality. I paid $350 today (and I don't mind) "I mean I mind, but I don;t mind-because grandpa said, "BUY QUALITY"
I have the blue top, dark gray case. I got a deal on it and wasn't paying attention what is was supposed to be used for. I live on a lake and use it for a 55 pound thrust trolling motor. I know it's the wrong battery for what I'm using it for. But I have to tell you, that I've been using like that for well over 15 years. Maybe next year I'll buy a new one. The right one this time.