Battery type/brand selection help

[JonesFamilyJayco]

I am looking for a new battery to replace the group 24(?) Everstart dual purpose marine battery I have with a true deep cycle battery.  I have looked at the Optima battery line (//www.optimabatteries.com)and I like the idea that they say they can be recharged quickly and do well with frequent discharge/recharge cycles.  

The application I am looking for is to power my camper through the night (lights, Igloo power refrigerated cooler, water pump for the sink, and an Everlasting Breeze 12V fan) and allow me to recharge it with the generator during the day.  I do not need a battery that will handle a heavy load for days of dry camping between charges, just one that I can depend on to make it through the night with the described load.  

Is the Optima the best? If so, do I need the blue top deep cycle or look at the yellow top deep cycle?  Where is the best place to buy one? Or should I consider other deep cycle batteries that may be less expensive and still do the job I need? Also, I am using an Everstart (Wal-Mart brand) automatic 2/10A charger. Is this ok or do I need to also look at a better charger (would be powered by a Honda eu2000i generator)

Thanks for your help!

[mike4947]

The Optima line of spiral wound plate technology was developed for severe vibration conditions in off road and off shore racing. Where the batteries are often sealed in a compartment and take a teriffic pounding that the curved plates take better than regular straight plates.
 
They are just a slightly redesigned AGM type battery. As for cost figure over a traditional wet cell deep cycle amp for amp you'll pay apx 4 times the cost.
 
Optima batteries also tend for their size to have a lower useable amperage capacity.
All in all they have a reat "gee wizz look what I've got" factor, but unless you're taking the PU rock climbing or fittin it with water ski's they are a waste of money.
 
A simple wet cell deep cycle available from even Wally World will offer you more power at a cheaper price.
Look at the reserve capacity RC on the batteries to judge them against each other. Only the RC is figured exactly the same no matter the type or size of the battery.
Another useful hint is that by dividing the RC by 2.4 you'll get a very good apx of the amount of useable amps you have available to draw until th battery is apx 50% discharged. The limit most battery manufacturers recommend not to exceed to limit life shortening damage.
 
As for a battery charger the new Vector and Shumacher chargers have automatic cycles for most any type of battery and even an auto sulfation cycle. My Shumacher 2/12/25 smartcharger also has a percent of charge meter which I've check with a hydrometer and it is accurate, and an alternator tester built in.
In the last 2 yers charger technology has advanced to the point that todays smart chargers going from from anywhere from $29 to $69 out due chargers that cost $150 3 years ago.