Despite my lust for the Lifeline deep cycle batteries,
I have reluctantly installed my 2nd optima.  Only if I
had the time to make the modifications to the drivers'
side battery box necessary to fit the Lifeline 80
amp/hr deepcycle!

I bought the Optima from Al at ARC battery in
Sausalito.  888-257-4417.   He's the owner, the same
guy i bought my first one from 3 years ago, and one of
those rare great people it is just a pure pleasure to
deal with.  Plus, he knows his stuff.  He sells his own
brand of battery even.  And he curt the terminals on my
optima, and then melted the lead at the ends to reseal
the terminal.  When I told him that some say this voids
the warranty, he laughed.  "Not for me they won't.
Maybe they tell the clerks that at a typical retail
place, but never at a Marine battery shop where it is
routine practice.  Optima knows better than that."  The
price was $159.  Not the lowest, but Al will be there
if anything goes wrong, and that  is more than worth
the extra $10.  Plus he cut my terminals for me.

This time around, I insulated the battery box with
those rubbery computer mouse pads.  This should help
keep the battery warmer and more efficient in cold
winter camping.  It also provide some shock-absorbing
protection.
steve