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Author	Topic:   Marine Batteries
Salty Tricks	posted 08-17-2009 08:53 PM ET (US)         [Has anyone tried a Die Hard Platinum marine battery]? I was considering replacing my Optima Blue tops.
Jefecinco	posted 08-18-2009 09:27 AM ET (US)             That is a highly recommended battery. I have Optimas and they have served well for several years. Have your Optimas failed? Glen L should chime in as he has a lot of information on the Die Hard Platinum batteries. Butch
Salty Tricks	posted 08-18-2009 05:42 PM ET (US)             To be honest I have four Blue tops 2 in the Montauk and 2 in another boat. I have indeed been hard on these batteries. My dock space does not have electric so if I don't use the boat for awhile the batteries tend to wear down. It also didn't help that the previous motors on either boat were not charging the batteries. I have since swapped motors on both boats...The Montauk got a brand new 2009 E-tec and the other boat got a new to me 98 225 Evinrude with a working stator/rectifier. two batteries failed on me this year and I see the Platinums give a 3 year exchange warranty opposed to the Blue tops 18 months and prorated from there. It also seems the Platinums spec out a bit higher than the D34M's I have. Would be nice to hear from someone who has experience with the Die Hards. My early experience with Die Hards from 10 years ago was not favorable
srec1	posted 08-18-2009 08:38 PM ET (US)             I have 3 batteries on my boat. 2 are the die hard platinums that I bought last year and I use them heavily often and hard as power for my 72lb thrust trolling motor. They get charged and maintained on a charger all the time. They have been flawless so far but it has only been 14 months. The third battery is the starting battery for the boat and it is a conventional Die hard marine battery. It is maintained as well on the same 3 bank charging system. I replaced it last year, this year about 2 months ago and 3 days ago. Every time it was under full warranty so I have not upgraded to platinum yet. The conventional die hards seem to have problems. 3 batteries in this short a seems odd and yes, the electrical system on the motor is functioning properly as we suspected an overcharge situation and went through the system with a fine tooth comb.
Jefecinco	posted 08-19-2009 10:08 AM ET (US)             I believe the most recent Consumer Reports battery ratings rated the DieHard Platinum over an Optima in it's tests. I don't recall if the Optima tested was a blue top or a red top. It really does not matter as given the prices for each balanced against the warranties I believe the Platinum to be a better buy than the Optima. Butch
Salty Tricks	posted 08-19-2009 08:34 PM ET (US)             I think I cam eto the same conclusion but I went for the Optima. Since I was replacing only one battery this time. Costco had them on sale for $150 with a $25 rebate. To go the Platinum route now would have dictated buying two batteries. Maybe I'll take better care of them this time and see what I get. Thanks for all your input

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