Charging Odyssey battery.

[Marshfly]

The weight difference between the Odyssey and Optima is not a quality issue, it's simple geometry. The spiral cells are inefficient use of space. If you look at one you can immediately see that the battery volume is actually much smaller than a rectangular plate battery even though the footprint is the same.

Poor architecture is a design flaw in my opinion. I'd much rather have the same performance out of a smaller case size than a bunch of air in places I can't recover.

[fishnfireman]

Optima does not seem to specify a limit on alternator outputs. An alternator is typically single voltage regulated.

I would have thought 50 amps on a boat alternator is -- (just that-50 amps) How would it know when it had an optima that specify a "10 amp MAXIMUM"

[Lou r Pitcher]

I would have thought 50 amps on a boat alternator is -- (just that-50 amps) How would it know when it had an optima that specify a "10 amp MAXIMUM"

The alternator doesn't detect it is an Optima. Optima does not specify a limit on a fixed voltage regulated alternator output current...but they do on a temp comped, varying voltage, multi staged charger.

A 50 amp capable voltage regulated alternator simply provides an output voltage no greater than ~14.4volts, and if the total load (battery & boat accessories) would draw more current than the alternator can provide, the output voltage reduces.