X2 on the alternator ability... To be honest from what I have researched Optimas would actually be pretty far down the bang for buck rating. As far as cost effectiveness goes the best would simply be normal wet cell batteries - What would make sense would maybe be a normal, large good quality starter battery and then a very large deep cycle (or even normal - if it is very large then deep discharging won't be such an issue). In my defender I had something like a 200a/hr battery off a bulldozer - but it was HUGE in size and weight! There is no reason that I can see why you could not put an intelligent charger (ctek etc) after the NL split charge to make more effective use of the split charge. Or upgrade the alternator to 'intelligent charging' Check Sterling Power Products regarding this. If you can carry it and look after it then I would argue that a very large conventional wet cell would work as well as a smaller fancy technology battery and probably cheaper! I seem to remember you were talking about winches Darren? That would also be an important issue power wise...
Like you I am also at the 'experimental' stage, so will post up info on power and batteries and consumptions as I am expecting a small DC clamp meter this week to enable some proper testing!
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