good advice below, Jim.  And thanks to all who replied.  I did find a
nearby wally mart with the $40 group 41 with 2yr replacement
warranty.  What I've been using for the past few years is a $15 lawn
tractor battery.  So next step up may be this $40 point.  but how much is a
real deep cycle that will fit under the driver's seat?  The Optima is $125?
Edward

At 10:50 AM 7/25/2005, you wrote:
>The price of a battery is closely related to the current the battery can
>provide.  A group 41 is a starting battery.  Add to that the cheap side.
>You now have a battery that will drain down rapidly and will recharge
>relatively few times.  Starting batteries are not designed to be drained
>below about 11.5 volts repeatedly. If you are going to use a group 41 get a
>good quality one that will survive some abuse.
>
>jimt