Thread: Dual battery system recommendations?

Generally speaking, starting batteries don't like long, slow discharges, it shortens their life. Conversely, deep cycle batteries don't like sudden discharges, as on starting.

Having said that, marine batteries (& Optima?) seem to be able to cope with both.

I've just bought a Varta 60Ah battery for just under $190 in Perth. It fits perfectly without any mods and is hooked up to a Traxide system I've just installed with 2 permanent "normal" 12V outlets plus one Meret plug for the Engel in the rear as well as an Anderson plug for the camper. All is working well.

I got a quote for an Optima Yellow Top battery - about $420! Supposedly a very good battery at 55Ah with hugh CCA and a long life, but in my mind is not value for money in my application.

Following on from the deep cycle vs car battery discussion, I just need to run a fridge, a compressor and a light from time to time so I dont need the huge CCA of a car battery. But I need a battery that will handle multiple discharging and recharging and this is the job of a deep cycle.

In 20 years of FWD, I can count the number of times I have had to jump a flat main battery from an auxiliary on less that one hand. I've also used a car battery as an auxiliary and it was a dismal failure - after going flat a couple of times it would not hold a charge.

Originally Posted by AndrewM

I got a quote for an Optima Yellow Top battery - about $420! Supposedly a very good battery at 55Ah with hugh CCA and a long life, but in my mind is not value for money in my application.

My thoughts on the Optima as well. (assume thumbs up emoticom)

I have also bought the Varta 60 Ah Battery for $190 here in Perth, wired through a Traxide System to Anderson Plug at the Rear, Socket for Fridge in the back, UHF Radio, Air Compressor in the engine compartment appears to work well (though perhaps not with all these running at once!) I echo others comments and thanks about Drivesafe

I just ordered a SC80-LR Plug-&-Play + Full Power Cable Kit (literally 5 minutes ago!). There are a few other decent quality options out there, but Tim's (drivesafe) obvious dedication to customer service really swung things in favour of the Traxide system for me. The kit is straightforward, consists of quality components and the fact that I know exactly what it contains and how to fit it before I even order it is great. I'm fairly picky with things I buy and I spent a long time thinking about it, but I'm glad I ordered it. The wife may not be too happy though when it turns up unannounced, but that's my problem... I'll be fitting a Die Hard Platinum battery from Sears here in the USA, which is a great battery by all accounts.

Hi BrewMonkey,
I echo your comments re Drivesafe.

I'm unfamiliar with the Die Hard battery, which you mention. I don't know if it's available in Oz.

The Die Hard battery is effectively a re-badged Odyssey PC1500 but about USD$50 cheaper from Sears. I'm not sure what's available in Oz, and you'll find that there is very mixed opinion on what's worthwhile, so I'd recommend trawling t'internet and making your own mind up. Tombie2 puts Odyssey at the bottom of his list, but then I know some other people who swear by them. Confusing, but I'm happy with what I'm paying (about USD$180).

Best I can do on a Varta deep cycle 60ah is $320 (and hard to find one at that!), an Optima D34 is $355, so being a tight!@# I'm going for an AMP-Tech D48 for $177.