Optima batteries worth the extra $?

[pilsner]

I dont know if this is the correct section for this post but oh, well, if its not then someone will move it for me. Question: Is the OPTIMA batteries worth the extra $100 over a normal store brand battery in our rovers? I am not currently running many extra (lights, winch, etc) but plan to add some as finances allow and I do go offroading a LOT. Are store brand batteries that prone to failure from moisture or vibration that I should consider that as a buying criteria? thanks brian

[d2luvr]

All those accessories pull lots of amps and at idle your alternator only puts out so much juice, so your battery has to feed them. When using something like a winch it can discharge your battery very fast, even with the engine running. Most batteries don't like this 'deep cycle'. Optima and some of the other high end batteries are not prone to failure when deep cycled repeatedly. Another thing to keep in mind is that most people that run a winch also run dual batteries for this reason.

[RTTOY]

I had a yellow top for 4 years, ran a 9500lb winch, rocklights...you name it. Paid $140 at the time, parted out the rig and still got $100 for it. They are good batteries, I've heard bad things with the red tops but have no experience personally with them.

[Rovin4life]

or you could always run a deep cycle battery for the winch to the back its alot less cheaper.

[Disco Mike]

Some people have had issues on and off in the past, I run dual Yellow Tops and swear by them, not at them. If you are looking at some pulling power for a winch, these or the new Sears deep cycle batteries made by Odessey are the way to go.