Hi All

Im after some advice on Deep Cycle Batteries....

We all know that the Optima d34 Yellowtop is one of the best Deep Cycle Batteries out there and they drop straight into a 3rd Gen Magna......but the idea of spending $450 on a battery is just rediculous IMO

I could get on shipped from the US (through ebay) for about $380AU - which is a bit better........but im wondering what choices other people have made - im after a direct change over - no modifiactions in any way....

got any suggestions guys? - anyone know of where i could get a d34 cheaper(including frieght to Tas).......tearing my hair out over it......the battery in the verada aint gonna last much longer - the start-stall symptoms are starting!!!

keep shopping around


i was quoted between $330-$495 for a D34 $495 wtf?:nuts:

some battery place told me there is a different version (commodore type) but fits straight in to magnas no probs, higher cca but slightly less reserve, and few $$ cheaper too

im going to be getting one hopefully soon, but i just got a free battery so i'll get my audio 1st then upgrade...

yeah cost price on a D34 is about $280, you just have to shop around.

So u Get start stall problems to hey ? Is this common I thought it was just me I had it with my old battery and when i replaced it it went away for 3 years now its back again I assume its my battery again I got a 525cca Yassa Battery it seemed to be the best on the market for around $150, Should I get this Optima Battery now will it last more than 3 years u think ? Anyone know the CCA Of this battery and the warranty. ?

yeah, start/stop problems with a dying battery is very common in 3rd gens

some people claim the d34 will last 10 years - but that alone is no big deal, i have a Exide Evolution that is 8 years old and still going strong....cost me $120......our local battery specialist claims he has seen d34's dye after 3 years....it all depends on the conditions the battery is used under, and how well the car is maintaianed

i think off hand the CCA rating is about 750.......with a reserve current of 120 minutes

unless you have big power requirments ie: a large audio install....this battery is not really needed for the average person - it would be overkill

i think warrenty is 2 years, but i could be wrong there

I've got a d-34 yellow top in my first gen:D but lucky for me the old dude behind the counter let me have it for $150 seeing as the money would be going to there x-mas piss up (they had been given a few extra so i was lucky to get it soo cheap normally he sells them for $300 well thats what he said).
maybe a good sealed marine battery would do the job. Still not as good as the optima but should still do it for ya.

Also with the d-34 what the guy at the battery shop said the reason there so good is that they can be completely drain and recharged many times over and over (something like 1500 times or more he claims) and still hold there charge once re-charged.
red tops have more cold cranking power he said and are good for audio set up but then can't handle the drain and rechargeing like the yellow tops.
so in his opinion yellow tops where better for ppl who use there car alot like on road trips,camping etc
and the red tops better for shows and big audio installs.
But each to there own, now im not in the know about batteries or electrics but mine has done well. has surrvied being drained a few times.
even once i thought id get some nice thick wire and do an earthing kit in my engine bay. Now cause i'm not big on electrical i so asked for someone to tell me how to put it in. took the advice and installed it but it was wrong so when i turned the key it fryed all the new wires and melted the fusable links together. didn't help that i had a power full battery haha
even after that it was fine even though i was told the battery would be cactus after a shock like that (apparently the sealed tight cell batteries hate to be shocked cause it can mess there chemical structure or something)but it was fine.

Ok now went and checked. CA 870 CCA 750 AH 55 RC 120.haha and a 1 year replacement garentee (sp?) but the guy at the battery shop told me he would give me a 5 yr one (well to swap it for another one if it died) cos none he had sold have come back. had it for 2 years now