Leisure battery has just died

I am due to go to the Alps on Wednesday in the Keg. Its just had the 300tdi engine installed. I think in the process the inverter was knocked on and it killed my leisure battery. So I was going to put a yellow top optima in, but the price was near £300, so I have gone for the cheap option. A leisure battery from halfords which was £70 with trade discount. So I will let you know how long it lasts compared to a battery 3 times the price. Even if I replace it 3 times it's still cheaper.

Any one else gone cheap or is it just me.

I realise a lot of people will say "false economy", but you have a point. 4 for the price of 1 may be the better option in the long term. Yes, we would all buy the very best possible if money was no option, but sadly very few of us are in the position. Think you've definitely done the right thing, different if it was just double, but four times as much, that's a BIG leap.

Let us know in four years time when your cheapie battery dies, then we can make an informed decision whether to buy an Optima or not.

Many battery manufacturers make excellent leisure batteries, Optima is just a popular brand because its been marketed well and people know, and pay for the name.

Many other battery manufacturers offer a better product at muck lower prices, Exide are one of my favourites as their products are better specified and have longer warranties, Fulmen are another. My philosophy is why pay for a name, most leisure batteries come with a 2 year warranty so even if you replace them every two years you have saved, and had the benefit of a 6 year warranty period, makes financial sense to me.

Ironically on the boat I use Rolls batteries, by far the best as they come with a no quibble 10 year guarantee, fortunately I get mine for next to nothing when they are changed on military equipment at 2 years old, so the best batteries made and with 8 years warranty remaining.

There you go Chally. It may take up the entire load bed in the Keg, but at least Assassin will sell you one of his little boat batteries and give you an 8 month warranty. Result mate!!!

Sounds good, but I'll still see how my Halfords specials do. Watch this space in 4 years time.

At 2750 A/H rating, he would have to uprate the suspension to carry a bank of them.

The point is though, that many good branded batteries exist, and by buying a quality product instead of a name, you can get a decent quality of product for much less money.

as you say its just marketing that promotes sales,,,if somebody tells you its the best then you tend to belive it,,,optama are made in the USA so that cost to get them over here has to be paid by somebody,,,,,

i get good batteries from my local supplier and touch wood never had a problem with them,,,,,,and we use them for liesure ,winching,jumpers...all sorts of uses,,,,,its what ever your happy with.......personally i wouldnt pay 300 quid for a battery,, ,,, but im a tight fcuker,,,,,,

Optimas are good - but used in the right way.

If I was competing in a landrover with batter ies under the seat rhen I'd definatly want sealed units, warranties are great but most battery warranties will not pay out in my experience.

Out in the wilds and an optima fails - wot you goining to do ........ put in what ever is locally available

i just put 2 85 mamp hour into the iveco - expect them to last 4-5 years, they are trickle charged all the time by the solar system. last battery i has on was on it when i got it and lated 3 years

apologies fr bad typeing - nhs have been plumbing so on good ! painkillers