Marine Battery Comparison: Century v Lifeline v Optima
When comparing marine batteries the information can get quite confusing and even misleading. In our opinion, as battery experts and boating enthusiasts, there are three true marine batteries which stand out in the market.
Century Marine Batteries
Century batteries are true marine batteries with many unique features making it a standout marine battery on the market. The Century marine range is designed to spend its lifetime on the water, making them one of the few marine batteries which its sole purpose is to provide significant amounts of power under harsh conditions when you’re out there wave pounding. Century marine batteries are built sturdy to reduce the damaging effects of vibration, providing you with consistent, reliable starting power. Incorporating these advanced technology features, these batteries are ideal for any recreational or industrial marine applications.
Power for engine starting, semi-cycling & basic electrics
Platelock™ technology for superior vibration resistance
Lifeline Batteries
Another highly regarded competitor in the marine battery community is Lifeline Batteries. These hybrid cranking/deep cycle batteries are unparalleled in safety, reliability and performance. Lifeline’s signature ultra low internal resistance ensures an incredible charging efficiency, making this a superior dual purpose battery for real starting and deep cycling requirements. Furthermore, another great advantage of Lifeline batteries is their highly regarded vibration-resistant structural design. This state-of-the-art design has made Lifeline batteries some of the safest batteries on the market, being the only off-the-shelf battery to pass stringent vibration requirements of the US Military services, rendering it ideal for all marine applications. Continuing, the high-tech sealed pressure relief safety valves enable the battery to operate in any orientation without leaking, making this an ideal maintenance free marine battery.
Another legitimate contender for a great marine battery is Optima’s BlueTop range. The Optima BlueTop AGM is best suited for marine applications that require a maintenance free, but also, a high cranking power battery. The BlueTop’s superior quality build and design provides a safe sturdy frame, giving the BlueTop a spill-proof design and vibration resistance up to 15 times more than standard marine batteries. An imperative feature for providing the care-free boating experience you desire. Continuing, the Blue Top’s advance AGM deep cycle technology provides a lifespan of up to three times that of regular marine batteries. This maintenance free, yet, powerful-cranking battery is ideal for any boating needs.
So, get ready for summer with brand new maintenance free batteries with reliable starting and a long life, for marine applications from The Battery Base and make this summer a blast on the water!
We offer a wide variety of options to charge your Optima AGM battery. We recommend CTek, Enerdrive, Victron and Battery Fighter Battery Chargers .
On this page you will find detailed information on the best practices to charge Optima batteries, including each of the specific types: YellowTop, BlueTop and RedTop.
Can you use a regular battery charger on an Optima battery?
Do not use Gel or Gel/AGM settings, as they will not fully charge an Optima battery and could damage it over time. However, even some AGM-compatible chargers will not recharge deeply discharged (less than 10.5 volts) Optima batteries. In those instances, it may be necessary to follow the parallel charging instructions.
Most high-quality, modern battery chargers now have built-in features to charge AGM batteries like Optima batteries. Some have specific AGM settings, which should be used to charge an Optima battery.
Can you trickle-charge an OPTIMA battery? And what type of charger can I use?
Yes, and you can use any charger on an Optima battery as long as the voltage is regulated properly. If your charger will remain on indefinitely, the voltage should be at 13.8 volts maximum with a one-amp maximum current. We would only recommend trickle charge for charge maintenance purposes only.
Will my high-output alternator damage the OPTIMA battery?
No, as long as the voltage is properly regulated. Because the Optima battery has a very low internal resistance, it will accept high current more efficiently than conventional batteries.
How to charge Optima AGM Batteries.
Optima YellowTop, BlueTop and RedTop charging Information. The following methods are recommended to ensure a long battery life. Always use a voltage-regulated charger, with voltage limits set as described below.
14.7V, no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 51.7°C. When current falls below one amp, finish with 2 amp constant current for 1 hour.
Rapid Recharge
Max 15.6V (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 51.7°C. Charge until current drops below 1 amp.
Float Charge
13.2 – 13.8V, 1 amp max current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).
Charging YellowTop Batteries: D31A & D31T
These batteries are dual-purpose. They are designed for engine start and cyclic applications and for use in vehicles with large accessory loads.
14.7V, no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 51.7°C. When current falls below 1 amp, finish with 3 amp constant current for 1 hour.
Rapid Recharge
Max 15.6V (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 51.7°C. Charge until current drops below 1 amp.
Float Charge
13.2 – 13.8V, one amp max current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).
These batteries are dual-purpose. They are designed for engine starting and deep cycling applications, as well as for use in boats with large accessory loads.
14.7V, no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 51.7°C. When current falls below one amp, finish with two-amp constant current for one hour for D34M and three-amp constant current for one hour for D27M and D31M.
Rapid Recharge
Max 15.6V (regulated), no current limit as long as battery temperature remains below 51.7°C. Charge until current drops below one amp.
Float Charge
13.2 – 13.8V, one amp max current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).
Safety information & precautions when charging Optima Batteries
Always wear safety glasses when working with batteries.
Always use a voltage-regulated battery charger with limits set to the above ratings. Overcharging can cause the safety valves to open and battery gasses to escape, resulting in premature failure. These gasses are flammable! You cannot replace water in sealed batteries that have been overcharged. Any battery that becomes very hot or makes a hissing sound while recharging should be disconnected immediately.
Failure to fully charge a battery can result in poor performance and reduction in capacity.
These guidelines are intended for typical consumer applications. For military, commercial applications or new equipment design, please contact Optima for additional technical information and assistance.
How to revive a deeply discharged Optima AGM Battery
In time, AGM batteries, including Optima batteries, may fail. Failures are often caused when a starting battery is used in a cycling application, for which a deep-cycle battery is the better choice.
If you have bad AGM battery, you attach it to your charger and the charger won’t even charge it. The assumption is that it must be a bad battery. However, in many cases, Optima batteries that are assumed to be bad may actually be perfectly fine, just deeply discharged.
The great thing about AGM batteries, including Optima RedTop and YellowTop batteries, is that they have very low internal resistance. This allows very high amperage output so that the battery can power your accessories longer and deeper than a traditional battery, but at the same time deeply discharging it.
An AGM battery with its low internal resistance may stump car guys because sometimes it doesn’t work like a traditional flooded lead-acid battery.
Here’s the problem: Most battery chargers have built-in safety features that may prevent chargers from recharging deeply discharged batteries. A traditional battery that’s at 10.5 volts or less is seen as defective, having either a short, a bad cell or some other defect. Most analog chargers are binary and are either on or off. If they don’t come on, it may be because the charger thinks the battery is “bad.” Turning on to charge a “bad” battery could create an unsafe scenario. But the fact is that the AGM battery may be just fine; it has simply slipped below the minimum voltage threshold of the charger to turn on, and the charger doesn’t know what to do with the battery, so it does nothing.
Here are three options for bringing that deeply discharged AGM battery back to peak operational performance.
Method 1: Use an AGM specific charger to recover an Optima battery
The best method for recharging a deeply discharged AGM battery is to purchase a modern charger that has kept up with battery technology. Many chargers now have AGM-specific settings and desulfation steps that help recondition and recover deeply discharged AGM batteries. These are becoming more common, and they work well for all lead-acid batteries. They have the additional capability of doubling as a battery “maintainer” for batteries in storage. Some come with additional ring terminals to permanently attach to your battery leads so you can charge the battery externally with an accessible charger or maintainer. This makes it easy to hook up when you store your car, truck, boat or RV.
The OPTIMA Chargers Digital 1200 12V Performance Battery Charger and Maintainer enhances the performance of OPTIMA and other AGM batteries, recovers deeply discharged batteries and extends battery life. The OPTIMA Chargers Digital 1200 12V Performance Battery Charger and Maintainer is optimized when used with high-performance AGM batteries, but has enhanced charging capabilities that can also be used with all traditional types of automotive batteries.
This is the preferred method of charging a deeply discharged battery.
Method 2: Use a traditional charger to recover deeply discharged battery.
This method uses your traditional charger the deeply discharged AGM battery via some manipulation.
Here’s what you need:
Battery charger (under 15 amps)
Jumper cables
A good battery, preferably above 12.2 volts. (either AGM or flooded battery)
The seemingly dead, deeply discharged AGM battery
A voltage meter
A watch or timer
Instructions:
Hook up the good battery and deeply discharged AGM battery in parallel – positive to positive and negative to negative. Do not have the charger connected to the battery or turned on at this stage.
Now, hook up the good battery to the charger. Turn on the charger. The charger will see the voltage of the good battery (hooked up in parallel), and start providing a charge.
After the batteries have been hooked up for about an hour, check to see if the AGM battery is slightly warm or hot to the touch. Batteries naturally become warm during charging, but excessive heat may be an indication that there really is something wrong with the battery. Warning: Discontinue charging immediately if the battery is hot to the touch. Also discontinue the process if you hear the battery gassing (a hissing sound coming from the safety valves). If it’s hot or gassing, stop charging immediately!
With your voltage meter, check back often to see if the AGM battery has charged to 10.5 volts or above. This generally takes less than two hours with a 10-amp charger. If it has, disconnect the charger from the wall outlet and remove the good battery from the charger. Now, connect only the deeply discharged AGM battery to the charger. Turn on the charger and continue until the AGM battery reaches a full charge, or until the automatic charger completes the charge process. In most cases, the AGM battery will be recovered.
Method 3: Take the battery to a professional
If you don’t own a battery charger, you don’t want to make the investment, or you’re not the do-it-yourself kind of person, this is the option for you.
Take the battery to a professional battery specialist who knows AGM technology. Most specialists are willing to provide “charge and check” procedures free or for a small fee. Auto parts stores are typically not capable of accurately determining an AGM battery’s condition and many use conductance testers that don’t provide correct readings. Battery specialists, such as the Battery Base, are experts who can help determine if your battery is recoverable or not.
What is multistage charging?
A multistage charger uses numerous fully automatic modes that follow a sequence through various stages.
There are a wide variety of battery charges out there with multiple stages available. Below is an example of a charger with 6 stages.
Below are the 6 stages of a 6 stage multistage charger for an Optima battery:
Stage 1: Analyze your battery’s condition, state of charge and quality of connections before charging.
Stage 2: Soft-ramp charging control for deeply discharged batteries when necessary.
Stage 3: Fast-charge bulk mode for moderately discharged batteries also known as normal battery charging.
Stage 4: Conditioning mode for conditioning your battery with a finish/complete charge.
Stage 5: Auto maintain, float mode for keeping your battery fully charged.
Stage 6: Automatic storage recondition mode – desulfates your battery when in storage and being maintained.
Some Multistage Chargers available from The Battery Base
Optima AGM batteries represent the pinnacle of modern AGM deep cycle battery technology. All Optima AGM batteries have superior quality build and are designed to provide an unequivocal service and an unmatchable performance.
With Optima’s unique patented SPIRALCELL Technology, all Optima AGM batteries are equipped with 15 times more vibration resistance compared to regular AGM deep cycle batteries. And supply the performance you’re seeking.
Optima’s mindful design of all their batteries have created a range of non-spillable and maintenance free batteries, ensuring a care-free experience and giving you the peace of mind knowing that your battery can handle even the most extreme of conditions. With 3 main Optima Battery categories, Start, Deep Cycles and Marine, Optima Batteries has it covered.
What is an AGM battery?
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology acts as a sponge like material to suspend loose electrolyte within highly porous glass fibre mat separators. This eliminates the hazards associated with acid spills or leaks, whilst the sealed maintenance free design avoids the need for regular topping-up of electrolyte.
Why choose Optima Batteries?
Optima AGM batteries have low internal resistance and low self-discharge rates, enabling faster recharge and longer shelf life. When fully charged, they can be stored for extended periods of time as long as there is no electrical drain, and conveniently recharged using an appropriate AGM compatible battery charger.
Ideal for use in applications where fast recharge, high cranking is required and when superior vibration resistance and superior deep cycle performance is required.
What are the differences between Optima YellowTop, RedTop and BlueTop
Optima YellowTop Battery
Best for Deep Cycle & 4×4(RV) & Starting
The Optima YellowTop AGM range is best suited for starting your engine and powering your energy-draining electronics. With the Yellow Top’s rigid and durable design, it can handle the serious cycling demands of today’s vehicle accessories, enabling it to be drained hundreds of times, without causing damage. The Optima Yellow Top provides impressive amounts of cranking power together with its deep cycle hybrid design. Low internal resistance in the YellowTop allows for smoother, more consistent power output and significantly faster recharges.
Optima YellowTop Battery Applictions
The Yellow Top is an ideal dual purpose battery for cranking as well as supplying power to electronic accessories. If your vehicle has a lot of accessories like running lights, high-performance stereo system, winches or hydraulics, your vehicle must require more from its battery. Optima Yellow Top batteries provide the extra performance and deep cycling capability that your vehicle demands.
The Optima RedTop AGM range is best suited for vehicles that require immense amounts of cranking power. The Optima RedTop produces an incredible burst of power providing a smooth and effective start up for your vehicle. The Red Top range has a high-power delivery system and impressive resistance against harsh conditions, ensuring a reliable start-up for your vehicle, every time.
Along with the strongest starting burst, the RedTop range has a life three times as long compared to standard automotive batteries of similar size. It is 15 times more vibration resistant than standard automotive batteries and is spill proof. Moreover, these benefits do not come at the cost of convenience. The RedTop range is mountable in virtually any position, has a fast recharging time and is maintenance free.
Best for Marine Applications, Stating & Deep Cycle/Starting
The Optima BlueTop AGM is best suited for marine applications that require a maintenance free, but also, a high cranking power battery. The Optima BlueTop’s superior quality build and design provides a safe sturdy frame, giving the BlueTop a spill-proof design and vibration resistance up to 15 times more than standard marine batteries. An imperative feature for providing the care-free boating experience you desire. Continuing, the BlueTop’s advance AGM deep cycle technology provides a lifespan of up to three times that of regular marine batteries.
The Optima BlueTop AGM range comes in both High Staring power, just like the Optima RedTop range and a hybrid range just like the YellowTop Optima Range, Deep Cycle & Marine Starting.
Optima BlueTop Battery Applications
This maintenance free, yet, powerful-cranking battery is ideal for any boating needs.
The difference between Optima AGM batteries and flooded lead acid batteries
This video will explain the advantages of the different types of car batteries. Essentially an explanation of Flooded Lead Acid Batteries vs Optima AGM Batteries.
Please note, the Flat Plate AGM Batteries mentioned in this video are not yet available in Australia.
Optima Battery Charging
Because Optima batteries feature Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) design and construction they allow rapid charging when the temperature is monitored. To find out more about charging Optima batteries we have developed a detailed page the lists the exact charging procedure for YellowTop, RedTop and BlueTop batteries. This includes links to the best chargers for each type of battery.
If you’re in the need for a Crane Remote Control Battery for your business, factory or work site, we’re sure to be able to help.
Inefficiencies and factory downtimes are a costly environment no business wants to experience.
Make sure the crane remote batteries used in your business are in top shape ready for the day.
Best practice is to make sure the battery for your Crane Remote Control is ready for the hard day ahead is by making sure they are kept fully charged.
With batteries to suit brands like Hiab, CIFA, Fassi, Grues HMF, Marrel, Palfinger, Scanreco, Hectronic, Olsbergs, HBC & Ikusi we’re sure you’ll find the crane remote battery suitable for your needs. If you need help finding the right crane remote battery, please call us.
Shipped Australia Wide or in store pick-up in Melbourne.
To shop our full range of Crane Remote Batteries online click here.
You may know of, seen or heard about CCA or the CCA rating of an SLI or SLA battery.
Here is a simple explanation of what the CCA of a battery is.
CCA (cold cranking amps) is a measurement of the starting power of an SLI or SLA battery.
CCA is a measure of a starting battery’s ability to deliver current to a starter motor at minus 18°C whilst under a load (ampere draw) for 30 seconds, with the end voltage maintained at 1.20 volts per cell.
As the vast majority of Australia does not really get that cold, it is however an international standard that looks at the ability of the battery to deliver power to the starting engine. The higher the CCA’s, the more starting ability the battery has.
Several variations of CCA ratings may be applied to a battery including; MCA (marine cranking amps) or CA (Cranking amps), which are generally 20% higher than CCA (cold cranking amps) and reflect higher temperature testing.
There are so many battery chargers on today’s market not to mention the vast array of batteries, and matching the right charger to the right battery is very important. When we say match, we refer to not only the voltage, but the Amps and battery chemistry as well. Most of the time, the chemistry is over looked.
There are many types of battery chemistries, however the ones we will be focusing on here with regards to charging are:
Flooded Lead Acid
Maintenance Free Calcium Lead Acid
AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt)
Gel
SLA (Sealed Lead Acid)
All of the above chemistries can be found within some or all of the below applications.
Boat, Car, 4×4, 4×4 auxiliary Jetski, Caravan, Camping, Motorbike, mobility scooter, market stalls, small solar applications.
Using granddads old manual linear charger just won’t cut it with today’s modern batteries and using the wrong charger can cause damage to the battery and can be dangerous.
So if your battery has gone flat or you need a charger for regular maintenance make sure you know your chemistry.
Batteries that are kept fully charged are going to last longer than those poor batteries left to slowly drain… loose voltage… and end up at a point where there is no recovery.
Ensuring your battery charger is capable of charging the type of battery chemistry you have is critical and so is the amount of amps your charger puts out. Matching the right amperage size will also ensure your get the longest life out of your battery. A charger with a small amp output is going to struggle to charge a battery with a high capacity, a charger with a high amp output is going to overcharge, overwork and possible burnout a battery with a small capacity, both of these scenarios will reduce the working life of your battery and possibly even destroy it.
We stock and have access to a huge range of battery chargers at varying price points.
At The Battery Base we often re-educate customers on matching the right charger to their batteries after receiving incorrect information from others.
Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to find out more information.
BATTERIES FOR A WIRELESS MOUSE!
06 March 2014
Wireless Mouse Batteries.
Best AA batteries for a wireless mouse or which battery should I use for a wireless mouse?
Answer: The best battery for your wireless mouse is definitely the Energizer Ultimate Lithium Battery. Available in AA & AAA sizes.
For the multitudes of electronic gadgets that you can
All Parents need to be safety wise & acutely aware of the dangers posed with children and the potential ingestion of button & coin size batteries.
With the recent death of a four year old girl in Queensland who sadly died after swallowing a lithium coin cell battery, child safety experts urge parents to keep these coin & button type batteries out of sight and out of reach.
Used or flat batteries should also be disposed of immediately and safely. More information on battery disposal & recycling is available by clicking this Link . The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been recently focused on assessing the safety of button and coin cell batteries due to an increasing number of injuries associated with ingestion and insertion of these products, particularly in children under five.
When a button/coin cell battery gets stuck in a child
With the recent death of a four year old girl in Queensland who sadly died after swallowing a lithium coin cell battery, child safety experts urge parents to keep these coin & button type batteries out of sight and out of reach.