Optima Battery Specs & FAQ’s

Yellow Top Deep Cycle
CCA (BCI 0°F): 750 amps
MCA (BCI 32°F): 870 amps
Reserve Capacity: BCI: 120 minutes 
(25 amp discharge, 80°F (26.7°C), to 10.5 volts cut-off)

Red Top Cranking
CCA (BCI 0°F): 800 amps
MCA (BCI 32°F): 980 amps
Reserve Capacity: BCI: 110 minutes 
(25 amp discharge, 80°F (26.7°C), to 10.5 volts cut-off)

Blue Top (Marine) Deep Cycle
CCA (BCI 0°F): 750 amps
MCA (BCI 32°F): 870 amps
Reserve Capacity: BCI: 120 minutes 
(25 amp discharge, 80°F (26.7°C), to 10.5 volts cut-off)

Blue Top (Marine) Cranking
CCA (BCI 0°F): 800 amps
MCA (BCI 32°F): 980 amps
Reserve Capacity: BCI: 110 minutes 
(25 amp discharge, 80°F (26.7°C), to 10.5 volts cut-off)


FAQ’s

What is the difference between your deep cycle and starter battery? 
The OPTIMA deep cycle battery utilizes a different chemistry for the active paste material on the plates, and a slightly stronger acid. This chemistry changes allows for a much longer life in cycling applications, with only a slight reduction in power. 

What does deep cycle mean? 
Deep cycle means using the battery in an application that will typically discharge 60% to 70% or more of the batter y capacity. An automotive battery is an SLI (starting, lighting, ignition) battery. It's plates are designed to deliver maximum power for a short duration. Starting a car typically discharges an SLI battery only 1% to 3%. When an SLI battery is used in a deep cycle application, or in a vehicle with heavy accessory loads, the battery life will be shortened proportionally to how deeply it is cycled on a regular basis. 

When should I consider a deep cycle?
Any time you need the battery to supply all the operating power for a vehicle or other device. Additionally, deep cycle batteries should be used in vehicles that have heavy accessory loads where the alternator cannot maintain the battery in a fully charged condition. 


Definitions

CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) is the rating that shows the battery's ability to deliver its rated amps for 30 seconds at 0 degrees F while maintaining an operating level of at least 7.2 volts (1.2 volts per cell). CCA is critical for good cranking ability.

MCA (Marine-Cranking Amps) is the rating that is used to define the number of amps that a lead-acid marine battery at 32°F (0°C) can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell (7.2 volts for a 12-volt lead-acid battery). This artificially high rating should not be confused with CCA.

Reserve Capacity tells you how many minutes the battery can supply 25 amps of power at 80 degrees F or 27 degrees C without falling below 10.5 volts. In other words, it's battery "staying power." Reserve Capacity is important because it helps to power the vehicle's electrical system in the event of alternator failure.