which is best optima or ordinary 6v battery

there is a big difference in price of 12 volt optima and 12v ordinary battery but between 6volt optima and 6volt ordinary battery there is not a big difference because production cost of ordinary 6v batteries are much higher as less are made.. so is it better to pay a few pounds more and have optima with plenty of power.... I am in UK
 
Hard to say since your on the east side of the pond. Here in the U.S. all batteries are pretty much made in one of 2 or 3 places so pretty much the same no matter which you buy. Been over to that side before and you guy do things a bit different over there like when you buy fish and chip they where when I was over there served in newsprint
 
thanks for reply
it is no longer possible to buy fish and chips in newsprint as it is not hygienic, I remember the guy at the fish and chip shop telling me
are Optima batteries made in USA??
 
Some Optima from what I have heard are made here but one never knows now days where thing come form
 
I have never used an Optima, but never heard anything bad about them.

One consideration I would look at is the cranking amps, which is going to give the most, which is what a 6 volt system needs, the more the better.

Supposedly the Optima style batteries are more shock resistant, cleaner as no acid to splash, and claim to handle temperature "extremes".
 
Still a big price difference here in the USA. On average, there is NO difference in longevity between the FLA and AGM. AGM can be used upside down in case you have a space-ship though.

One advantage to an AGM over an FLA is its lower self-drain. All lead-acid batteries go dead over time when they sit with no recharge. AGMs have less self-drain. Means nothing if it gets charged. But if for some reason it has to sit for months with no charge - AGM is superior. Otherwise - waste of money for me unless I get a race-car or a rocket-ship.
 
One example of price differences. I just checked Sams Club since I am buying 8 new batteries. 6 volt rated 210 amp-hours in standard FLA is $84. The AGM version has less power at 190 amp-hours and costs $180. I'd have to be nuts to buy the AGM.

Optima is made by Johnson Controls - same company that makes batteries for Walmart.
 
Derwen, good questions, FIRST of all when you mention "plenty of power" you have to compare apples to apples in what Bang youre getting for the Buck. See below about Cold Cranking Amps CCA and/or Reserve Capacity typical starting battery labels VERSUS Amp Hours (energy storage capacity) typical true Deep Cycle labels. JUST BECAUSE its an OPtima or any AGM and costs more DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN you get "plenty of power" or more bang for the buck. An OPtima may have LESS 'power" even if it cost a lot more !!!!!!!!!!! Sure AGM has some advantages but it costs more and especially if you don't really require an AGM theres less reason to use it. BUT ITS YOUR MONEY AND YOUR CHOICE NONE OF OURS



My advice as a 47 year RV user and past RV dealer, is:


1) If it's for a regular engine STARTING battery, Id probably go with a conventional flooded lead acid battery, NOT an AGM and it's NOT as expensive.

2) If its for typical Deep Cycle use like in a solar set up, renewable energy or an RV etc. application, Id go with a true Deep Cycle battery (be it lead acid or AGM), NOT an engine STARTING battery. In the Deep Cycle world and case labelling, you typically see Amp Hours (energy storage capacity) while in an engine starting battery you typically see Cold Cranking Amps CCA and/or Reserve Capacity. Typically the bigger,,, the heavier,,, the more lead,,, the greater the capacity. NOTE I do not consider the cheaper so called and labeled RV/Marine batteries as full true Deep Cycle, but maybe lets call it "semi" deep cycle or hybrid??

3) If location and mounting/position and maintenance and venting becomes critical or limited or problematic, Id go with AGM, but if not Id go with flooded lead acid.

4) If for whatever reason or reasons as described above I opted to with AGM instead of Lead Acid, I would at least consider Lifeline or FullRiver or even Trojan in lieu of Optima.

John T Retired EE but NOT any solar or battery expert, so take this like any other posting here, strictly someone's opinion and NO Warranty LOL
 
AGM batteries like an Optima red top are very long lived IF the machine has an accurate charging system that does not overcharge or undercharge the battery. 12V may mean an alternator with an accurate solid state voltage regulator. I have a reversed IH W9 loader tractor with solid state regulator and alternator that has an Optima red top battery that I installed when I built the tractor in 1994. 23 years later that Optima red top still starts that tractor every day.
The same goes for charging an AGM battery with a "dumb charger" that if left connected too long can dry up the AGM's electrolyte that can not be replaced. If you use AGM batteries, only charge them with a "smart charger" with a dedicated AGM charge setting.
Your saying 6V, to me that raises a red flag. What kind of charging system does the machine have ? A generator with a mechanical regulator is bad for an AGM battery . A 6V system with a cutout and mechanical hi / low manual charging switch is certain early death to an AGM battery. With a conventional flooded cell battery, at least you can add makeup water if you overcharge it.
 
Optima production used to be in Colorado USA, but a few years ago production was moved to Mexico to take advantage of cheaper labor cost. Optima may be also made in other places, but I only know of US and now Mexico.
 
In my 1929 Model A Ford I use 6v batteries from Tractor Supply. They last about 10 years on average.
 
Jon you stated "If you use AGM batteries, only charge them with a "smart charger" with a dedicated AGM charge setting"

I have to agree with that. In my RV's where I have a substantial investment in my house battery bank I would ONLY use a "Smart" 3/4 Stage Automatic charger and mine has the AGM charging option. It's my opinion they are more sensitive to proper charging then a conventional flooded lead acid and at their greater cost you sure don't want to abuse them.

While a precise automatic regulated so called "Smart" 3 or 4 stage charger costs more, I believe it can repay in the form of increased battery life

John T
 
Put one Optima on my JD 730 LP about 7-8 years ago because I was tired of cleaning the battery connections and hold down several times a year and it has worked great. Original generator with voltage regulator. 12V. So about a year ago I was having same problem with a '51 JD AR (has two 6V batteries to make 12V) so I invested in a couple of 6V Optima and so far so good. The lead acid 6V batteries would last 2 years at the most. Same original genny with regulator.
 

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