Posted by jdemaris on November 19, 2009 at 11:04:22 from (67.142.130.23):
In Reply to: Re: Optmia Battery posted by Jim Allen on November 19, 2009 at 07:18:42:
In answer to your comments:
"In comparing specs, I see little difference in reserve capacity between AGMs and flooded lead acid batteries (in comparable sizes)"
I see a big difference. I rate a battery by how much amperage I'm buying per dollar. That includes the starting or reserve power available and expected life-span. When evaluated that way, the Optimas lose miserably.
In answer to:
"The bigger question is whether, or how much, reserve capacity plays a part with a vintage tractor owner. I think not all that much."
I think we are on different planets when it comes to tractors and heavy equipment - old or new. When I go out to start a tractor when it's zero degrees or colder, I want a battery that can keep on chugging until I get the engine started. The length of time that I can do that is directly related to reserve capacity, not cold cranking amps.
As to:
"As to hyperbole, my definition of that word must be a little different than yours"
Maybe so, I'm not sure. My statement about hyperbole is mostly about all AGMs in general and they have been marketted with much hyperbole - or better put - exagerated and somewhat deceptive claims. That is especially true when it comes to storage type deep-cycle batteries. I've worked on systems when one major battery failure costs thousands of dollars. My battery bank at home cost $4000. AGMs were the rage for a very short period of time for this sort of use.
To be specific though with Optima, they claim:
"a radically superior internal design"
That is not true. Different yes. Superior design for certain purposes, yes. Superior for all uses, absolutely not, and certainly not for tractor use.
"construction provides far more active surface area"
Not true. The thing is, Optimas when compared to other batteries, are smaller and have less material inside the battery. But, they make better use of what they have (to a degree). In general, overall, they have less active surface area, not more. They do have more per square inch, and less overall square inches.
"typically half again to twice the life of conventional batteries"
Pure BS. They make that claim by comparing apples to oranges. If you compare battery amp-hour, or watt-life to dollar, they lose big-time.
"Provides more power from a smaller package"
Again, silly. They provide more cranking amps for short bursts than larger batteries, along with less power-over-time.
One more note. You mentioned deep-cycle batteries are not suited for cranking. They certainly are. Just need to be derated by 20% and they work fine.
I've got two Case tractors with six volt systems and Trojan deep-cycle T-105s. Both on their 8th year of use.
One more comment about another poster's claim. He stated Optimas charge faster than conventoinal batteries. That is incorrect. Most Optimas charge faster because they are smaller batteries with much less material internally to charge.
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