Optima D35, D34, D31A Yellow, Red, Blue - Confused!!!

[97 FZJ80]

The D31M - the marine version has offset terminals, unlike the regular D31A. The D31M will actually fit most 80 battery trays without the need to stretch the + wires.

 

[Altaf]

The D31M - the marine version has offset terminals, unlike the regular D31A. The D31M will actually fit most 80 battery trays without the need to stretch the + wires.

Noted. And it has a better replacement warranty than the Yellow top - 18 months vs 12.

 

[Skillet]

Yellow on DS and and Blue on PS. Both fit fine in stock trays with the plastic battery lifters that came with them .

My rig is a '93 but the cable fitment was not a problem.

I am with reffug, if I had to choose, the yellow top dual purpose would be my choice.

 

[robmir]

robmir: I tried to find the Cycle Life metric but I don't believe they are published by the manufacturers? I would assume the Cycle Life on AGM deep cycle batteries would be superior to all others. The reason Reserve Capacity was important to me is because I'm relying on a single battery. In theory, a higher Reserve Capacity would allow me to run my accessories for a longer period of time before the need for a jump start, no?

That´s right but you should monitor battery´s voltage carefull because there is a moment were you will not have enough juice to start your cruiser.

That´s why I am not a big fan of relying in only one battery specially if you travel alone. One thing is turning off the radio to save energy and another is to have my portable refrigerator full with food and been unable to turn on my cruiser.

When we do our long trips to the rain forest we often stay parked in place for a whole week, I don´t carry a portable generator or a solar panel, the nearer gas station is about 300 miles away so wasting gas to charge my 3 batteries with a 215 HP powered generator (well, alternator if the true word is required) is ridiculous.

And as all are aware, heat is the main killer of Optima batteries, so my case is not the best scenario having 3 very expensive deep cycle juice boxes for a vehicle used for this long trips only once a year.

But if I were you, I would install a non expensive standard battery for DD and winching, and a large reserve deep cycle for the accesories and in the worst case, to jump start the vehicle if by mistake the main battery were depleted, something you should never let happen since it will destroy in the long term this standard battery.

 

[Tapage]

Just wondering but nobody mention here the AC Delco Batts .. I own one for almost 6 years. It's a Marine DeepCycle and it's totally awesome bat. Been discharget for couple of times ( some by the winch and others by the alarm ) and it's there starting my Tencha each time that I need ..

Also have a Optima yellow Top that buy for cheap, and it's now for my light and winch ..

 

[robmir]

Just wondering but nobody mention here the AC Delco Batts .. I own one for almost 6 years. It's a Marine DeepCycle and it's totally awesome bat. Been discharget for couple of times ( some by the winch and others by the alarm ) and it's there starting my Tencha each time that I need ..

Also have a Optima yellow Top that buy for cheap, and it's now for my light and winch ..

I didn't mention them on this post but there are the ones I used before switching to the Optimas until they failed and dissapointed me, so now my two main batteries are again Delco Voyager deep cycle and my third is the last working yellow top until it dies.

Once things become better in our country, I will break my savings and replace all three with Odissey's, and my cruiser will receive a nice and deserved dose of TLC which will include an up to date upgrade of the electronics and a front locker.

 

[Greg W]

the red top I've had in my truck for the past 12 years is still going strong. Never had any problems in 12 years. I will never own a "wet" battery no matter how good they are supposed to be. Because my experience was so good the first time around I bought another red top for my 80 when I first bought it 4 years ago. Still no problems and had no wiring issues to worry about. I just had cut a couple of plastic ties to loosen up the cables some. I really would like a yellow top but money was an issue at the time and I didn't have the extra $80 bucks laying around that I needed. I'm just one of the apparently few satisfied Optima customers.

 

[robmir]

the red top I've had in my truck for the past 12 years is still going strong. Never had any problems in 12 years. I will never own a "wet" battery no matter how good they are supposed to be. Because my experience was so good the first time around I bought another red top for my 80 when I first bought it 4 years ago. Still no problems and had no wiring issues to worry about. I just had cut a couple of plastic ties to loosen up the cables some. I really would like a yellow top but money was an issue at the time and I didn't have the extra $80 bucks laying around that I needed. I'm just one of the apparently few satisfied Optima customers.

Battery life expectance has many variables so for example what's good use in a vehicle in a cold weather state would kill it in another vehicle in a extreme hot weather state or driving when raining, at night, with air condition on and stuck in a 2 hour bumper to bumper trafic rush hour against driving lightly on empty state roads at a clear day.

My sister inlaw Toyota Starlet ( the model that leaded and was replaced later by the Yaris around the world) OEM battery (made in Japan), lasted for at least 12 years, but she never forgot any light on, or never depleted the battery charge as to require a jump start.

Fully depleting a red top will kill it in the long term.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

I guess I can add a bit more confusion to this thead


The nEverStart Wally World battery that came with my rig won't hold a full charge after I drained it last weekend (left the stereo and interior lights on for more than 12 hours straight)


Was gunna toss in one of the D34 Yellow Tops we have on the shelf, but after seeing the D31M pic Corbet posted, I've decided to go that route instead

Thing is, NONE of the local Optima dealers carry them nor do they have listing

Did some searching online and found an SC31DM

Is this the same thing as a D31M?

Pic looks the same, but I'm just curious if there's anything different?





Rick

 

[Corbet]

SC31DM is the part number my local Car Quest used despite it not being listed as anything but D31M on the Optima website?

So yes, that is the one.

By the way, Car Quest did not stock the battery but were able to get it in 2 days. So I'd just ask your local dealer rather than buying online. Unless the price is too high of course.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Thanx for the info


Local dealer ordered one and is coming tomorrow

Hopefully I won't have to use my jumper cables in the morning

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

And she's in

Couldn't ask for a better fit


Any idea what size the marine threads are?

Gunna add another ground cable to the block to prep for the winch draw....

 

[Corbet]

Any idea what size the marine threads are?

5/16"