vj3

I changed my GS300 battery with Everstart Maxx from (Wal-Mart) not
cheap but not expensive. All I can say is it's highly rated by CONSUMER
REPORT Magazine (Nov. 2008) for our car category GROUP24/24F that's
why I bought it. Costco brand is also good for SUV that's what I use for my
RX300 also rated by Consumer Report Mag.

sakataj

iTrader: (182)

i've had my optima in 2 different lexus for over 4 years now and NOOOOOOOO problems outta it.

Hectorm

Cheap? Go to Pep Boys... $35 a rebuilded one. BTW, I have running my Toyota truck with a garden tractor battery for almost a year... ha!

burny

You found a well kept secret there. Been using those for several years and have one going on 6 years in a 4runner that sits outside all the time. Keep distilled water in it and you will get a lot of years out of it

chrispy

iTrader: (21)

Duralast Gold FTW.

jriggs

blue top optima is in the gs right now since my oem took a crap this morning. might keep it in there seems to be doing the job lol

sakataj

iTrader: (182)

um the blue top is a marine battery

Sydwayz

And they are great; deep cycle and high cranking in one battery. I have 4 of them in my boat running my stereo, amps, capacitors, twin engines and all the other accessories. Here's a pic of them taking a licking in Lake Michigan in 8-10 footers:

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Nothing wrong with using marine battery. I use to run it in my old car with no problem. As long as the voltage is the same (12v), the marine "deep cycle" battery can be beneficial. They take a beating better than regular batteries. Car batteries often have different power curves than marine just because the demands are different. Car batteries are able to deliver short burst of high-currents for starting applications. Marine batteries will often have lower initial current (enough for most cars), but will sustain it longer. The downside is that they're usually bigger/heavier.

Now..TRUE deep cycle batteries do not even have a rating for Cranking Amp (CA), Cold Cranking Amp (CCA), or Marine Cranking Amp (MCA). They're not made for starting. They're just batteries for when the engine is not running. Guys with solar panels use these batteries because of the ability to be drained without much affect. "Deep cycle" for automotive use are batteries that are marketed as a balance between traditional battery and true deep cycle batteries.

With that being said, most marine batteries sold in stores have enough power to crank up your car because they're dual purpose batteries. They're made for starting and extended drains, plus they're usually more durable. It's a balance

sakataj

iTrader: (182)

i did not know that sir.....i tip my hat lol

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I wanted to buy the Kirkland Marine battery for my car, but it was a few inches too long for the GS. Instead I settled for a Duralast Gold that has served me well

btw Sydwayz, that's a very nice looking boat. Which battery are you running right now?

Sydwayz

Thank you.
I have four Optima blue tops mounted in purple billet "boxes". The installation looks fantastic, except you can't see them anymore. They are way under the backseat behind my sealed subs. I had to run race-car terminal extenders from them just in case I need to jump them.