Optima battery & stereo system?

[sirhk100]

Back in the day when my optima was newer I could crank my stereo in the Exploder for at least a minimum before it wouldn't start. No I get about 10 minutes max... The battery is pretty old... Probably 3 years. I'm thinking about adding an additional battery and a switch to enjoy the tunes from this season. Leave the red top in the engine for starting duties and switch to the stereo battery to charge while running when drained. Would a yellow or blue top be better for this setup? Basically what would be the best battery to litterally just run the stereo off while sitting? It will probably get drained and recharged often... I'm thinking a deep cycle is better for this, am I wrong???

Thanks,
Khris

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[TDORSloppy]

From what I understand, the yellow top has less cranking amps making it better for lower amp use over an extended period of time. But your red top sounds pretty old, if it has been drained a couple times its time to get a new one.

[Kritter]

just put one yellow top in it..the reason the red top is taking a dump now is because you run the stereo without the car running which brings the volts down and then you recharge it from driving the vehicle...regular batteries arent made for that and can only do so many cycles like that until they are worthless..they are made to stay at a pretty constant voltage.

The yellow top is a deep cycle and can be discharged several more times and still hold a good charge...thats what RV's use.

[sirhk100]

The red top always starts it now, just can't hang and blast the tunes all day like I used to.

Kritter, you saying just throw a yellow top in the engine compartment and go with it? I'm actually thinking of a battery dedicated to the stereo system when the engine is off. That way I can switch back to my red top when the system stops bumping and still start the truck and drive home!!! On the drive home I'll switch back to the yellow top. 99% of the time I'd be driving on the red top...

I'm only pushing around 500 watts, it's not some show system or anything!!!

[tkr]

Get a new red top for the starter, and a yellow top for aux. Install a battery isolator relay with an ignition feed powering the relay coil. Wire your stereo, etc. off the yellow top side of the relay. When the key is off the stereo will run off the yellow top, and when the engine is running, both batteries will be charged by the alternator. You can also jump the relay to start off the yellow top if the red top ever quits.
now you just have to remember to shut off your radio before you get out of the truck....

[UndercoverFab]

whenver I kill one from draining and charging it I just bring it back to vato zone, 3 year free replacement

[JBO]

If you go with a second one just for the stereo, they sell the blue-top optimas at costco, they are labeled "marine" but they are a deep cycle, and the costco price is cheap. just a thought.

[partybarge_pilot]

Had the same problem with 2 red tops. The rep's answer? When you beat them long enough, the spiral cells start to seperate from the buss bars. Go get a new bettery.

[Jordan]

Maybe its just me but I have had stereo systems run 100 watts to 2000 watts all being pushed by 1 battery and a non Optima at that just your average 5 Star battery. The key to the system is wiring and proper fusing. If you run everything properly you will run into far less problems. Most people take the cheap way out and run a bigger battery instead of spending some extra cash on Monster Cable or something of that like.

Do it right the first time

[91yotaprerunner]

get a dry cell battery, can be drained and recharged like a 1000+ times. i have seen them for sale at stereo shops before, little more pricey but sounds to me what you are looking for.