Need a new battery today - what to get?

[SteveH]

I would guess that sounds is stored vacuum 'somewhere' leaking down through a valve.

RE: oil in the air cleaner - I would start the truck, remove the oil cap and rev the engine. If you get a wind (not a light breeze) coming out of the valve cover, you might have so much blowby that the PCV system can't handle the amount. The PCV is designed to pull a gentle vacuum (getting filtered air from the air cleaner) on the crankcase when the engine is running. If you get excessive pressure (from blowby) in the crankcase, you can expect oil leaks from the rear main, etc. at some point and oil in the air cleaner (as you indicated). A stuck or malfunctioning PCV (or cracked lines) can cause or add to this.

 

[Cruisertrash]

@SteveH Good stuff, thanks man. I'll pop the air cleaner lid and check that valve cover vent when I rev the engine.

The stored vacuum idea is interesting. I suppose with the HAC storing vacuum (is it supposed to?) and judging by the location of the sound, it's leaking out the advancer diaphragm. The vac hose itself is new. I need to catch the chattering sound in the act and pull that hose off - if the sound stops I'll know what's going on.

 

[RDub]

Could also be the vacuum advance chattering due to the same issue, which could be why you hear the sound near the distributor. That is why I suggested pulling those hoses off the vacuum advance pots. Interesting problem.

 

[Corbet]

Bringing this thread back to life as my battery is ending its life.

I want another group 31 or 27 AGM, so don't want to debate pro/con. Looks like there is way less to choose from since last time I shopped. And holy hell they have gotten expensive.

Deka only has a Marine version now. Looked taller in the shop today. Need to measure but post locations not ideal on that one.

Optima blue top 31 is available for nearly $500. (local Napa) I ran one of those in the past no complaints but I know the company has changed hands since. Don't know if quality is still there. Looks like they offer a 27 now.

Odyssey has 31 but only screw post terminal. No standard automotive post. Not a deal breaker but more expense to modify. They might have a auto post conversion that screws down on top?

Batteries Plus, X2 Power. I've had two of these over the years a group 31 & group 27. 31 no longer listed online. 27 is available but I no longer have a local store. Farmington NM store closed years ago.

Sears, no store in Farmington anymore and well Platinum batteries long since discontinued anyway. My old one is still on the camper. I wonder what the health of that one is like? Probably near dead, its 10+ years old and was in the truck for a while before the X2's.

Northstar, Lifeline, other? Any suggestions? Frieght could suck to Durango. I'm headed to Las Vegas in a couple weeks. Could shop there I suppose and haul it home. I'm sure the wife would enjoy some romanic truck battery shopping after a show.

All we have here in Durango is the standard NAPA/AutoZine/O-Reilly/Walmart/Tractor Supply/and one independent Deka dealer.

 

[RayRay27]

Bringing this thread back to life as my battery is ending its life.

I want another group 31 or 27 AGM, so don't want to debate pro/con. Looks like there is way less to choose from since last time I shopped. And holy hell they have gotten expensive.

Deka only has a Marine version now. Looked taller in the shop today. Need to measure but post locations not ideal on that one.

Optima blue top 31 is available for nearly $500. (local Napa) I ran one of those in the past no complaints but I know the company has changed hands since. Don't know if quality is still there. Looks like they offer a 27 now.

Odyssey has 31 but only screw post terminal. No standard automotive post. Not a deal breaker but more expense to modify. They might have a auto post conversion that screws down on top?

Batteries Plus, X2 Power. I've had two of these over the years a group 31 & group 27. 31 no longer listed online. 27 is available but I no longer have a local store. Farmington NM store closed years ago.

Sears, no store in Farmington anymore and well Platinum batteries long since discontinued anyway. My old one is still on the camper. I wonder what the health of that one is like? Probably near dead, its 10+ years old and was in the truck for a while before the X2's.

Northstar, Lifeline, other? Any suggestions? Frieght could suck to Durango. I'm headed to Las Vegas in a couple weeks. Could shop there I suppose and haul it home. I'm sure the wife would enjoy some romanic truck battery shopping after a show.

All we have here in Durango is the standard NAPA/AutoZine/O-Reilly/Walmart/Tractor Supply/and one independent Deka dealer.

Do you have to have a group 31 battery? I know interstate makes a dual purpose group 31. Not cheap though.

I have the group 34 dual purpose and it seems to work pretty good.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Remember that there's not many manufacturers:
https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/threads/need-a-new-battery-today-what-to-get.31594/#post-373330

I have a pair of Odyssey in my dual battery (a group 25 and 35) and an X2 group 27 that runs my ham station. Meh, I don't think there's any real world benefit to their "pure lead" nonsense. I won't bother paying more for the Enersys brands going forward, anyway.

If you're set on AGM I'd look into that Interstate that Ray links. That seems like a pretty solid choice. Otherwise they're all about the same, pick the one you can get at a price you're willing to pay.

BTW, yes, there's adapters to make threaded studs into regular types. What the big lugs you normally see are called is "SAE terminals".

https://www.odysseybattery.com/products/sae-terminal-kit-6mm/

One thing to know is with AGM batteries there's not really a true deep cycle so there's not a lot of difference between starting and dual use types. So don't pay extra for it since that's all marketing.

 

[subzali]

I think I got a Die Hard AGM from advance a year or so ago. Been ok so far and seemed like the best “deal” at the time considering warranty etc.

 

[rover67]

I'm back to lead acid in the trucks. Usually costco for Interstate. ...But we've already had that discussion also...

That Interstate Ray linked looks like its a great option for AGM

 

[gungriffin]

I have a Odyssey group 31 with a post top. 31-PC2150T I was able to combine it with a 15% discount at Advance Auto though in Aug 2020. I paid $370 with tax for it. I don't think that I would buy one at present prices with no discount to boot.

 

[RDub]

I've had good luck with both Costco (interstate) and Walmart, oddly enough. I bought an AGM starting battery for our Sprinter at Walmart and it was a good price and has performed flawlessly.

 

[gungriffin]

I'm back to lead acid in the trucks. Usually costco for Interstate. ...But we've already had that discussion also...

That Interstate Ray linked looks like its a great option for AGM

My present thought is the same. When it comes time to replace the Odyssey batteries, I will be choosing an inexpensive lead acid for the starter battery. I will then just use a lithium battery for any energy usage in the truck during camping.

 

[Cruisertrash]

Bringing this thread back to life as my battery is ending its life.

I want another group 31 or 27 AGM, so don't want to debate pro/con. Looks like there is way less to choose from since last time I shopped. And holy hell they have gotten expensive.

Deka only has a Marine version now. Looked taller in the shop today. Need to measure but post locations not ideal on that one.

Optima blue top 31 is available for nearly $500. (local Napa) I ran one of those in the past no complaints but I know the company has changed hands since. Don't know if quality is still there. Looks like they offer a 27 now.

Odyssey has 31 but only screw post terminal. No standard automotive post. Not a deal breaker but more expense to modify. They might have a auto post conversion that screws down on top?

Batteries Plus, X2 Power. I've had two of these over the years a group 31 & group 27. 31 no longer listed online. 27 is available but I no longer have a local store. Farmington NM store closed years ago.

Sears, no store in Farmington anymore and well Platinum batteries long since discontinued anyway. My old one is still on the camper. I wonder what the health of that one is like? Probably near dead, its 10+ years old and was in the truck for a while before the X2's.

Northstar, Lifeline, other? Any suggestions? Frieght could suck to Durango. I'm headed to Las Vegas in a couple weeks. Could shop there I suppose and haul it home. I'm sure the wife would enjoy some romanic truck battery shopping after a show.

All we have here in Durango is the standard NAPA/AutoZine/O-Reilly/Walmart/Tractor Supply/and one independent Deka dealer.

As seen in post #12, I ended up with an Interstate MT-27 from Costco and it's performed flawlessly. I put a rebuilt OEM alternator in the truck about a week prior, and I have upgraded main V+ and Gnd wiring in the truck - applicable here is the wire from alt to battery+ with 80A fuse and from battery to ground. I had D&D in Wheat Ridge rebuild the alt.

I do not run a fridge or any other stuff that would require a dual purpose battery, dual battery system, or a deep cycle battery. I do have 200 watts of PIAA lighting on the front bumper and that's about the extent of my power draw beyond stock stuff. Again, the battery handles all that fine and holds a charge well. It cranks like a mother, too (upgraded V+ and Gnd wires for starter fyi).

Your needs may differ from mine, but the MT-27 is a good buy for ~$100.

 

[DaveInDenver]

My present thought is the same. When it comes time to replace the Odyssey batteries, I will be choosing an inexpensive lead acid for the starter battery. I will then just use a lithium battery for any energy usage in the truck during camping.

It's not relevant to Corbet's requirements but I've gone back to plain sealed or even vented batteries from high quality suppliers. The only reason IMO to use AGM is if the location demands it. For example for batteries inside of structures (like my basement) it's easier to use AGM. For vehicles the main determination would be if the battery has to be mounted on its side.

There is an advantage on paper to AGM having its grid supported in fiberglass mats but it's my experience that what you gain in mechanical support isn't outweighed in having them last any longer electrically. IOW, I find that my batteries lose capacity fast enough that even though it's not a shorted plate that kills they are ready for replacement anyway at about the same time.

So I'm at this point thinking it's better to spend less and replace sooner. Not to say I'll go cheapest possible but if I can spend $200 every 3 years instead of $400 every 6 that's a fine. It's less work to keep them happy, too. I run a shore charger and periodic conditioning, which gets to be a PITA. Even with that my Odysseys at 4 years are at about 85% capacity. The heat of GJ is just as hard on a fancy battery as it is on a cheap one.

 

[Hulk]

All we have here in Durango is the standard NAPA/AutoZine/O-Reilly/Walmart/Tractor Supply/and one independent Deka dealer.

Last year, I bought a Deka AGM battery that is rebadged as a Napa. Details here.

Here's a Group 27 AGM marine battery at Napa:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BAT9827M?impressionRank=1

 

[Inukshuk]

Just read a cool article in OutdoorX4 about LifePo. .... (Dave-flame suit on)

 

[Corbet]

Last year, I bought a Deka AGM battery that is rebadged as a Napa. Details here.

Here's a Group 27 AGM marine battery at Napa:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BAT9827M?impressionRank=1

I asked about NAPA premium battery while there. They told me rebadged Deka gel battery. So maybe changed, maybe they didn't know shit. I got the impression the later based on overall experience.

Based on prior experience my gut says just get another X2 Power from batteries plus. Great warranty but no local store anymore so that doesn't really help. https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli27fagmdp?variationCode=VI712717

Deka is my best bet for local warranty. Or whatever at offering auto parts storefront.

Found the group 31 Deka under commercial applications. https://www.eastpennmanufacturing.com/wp-content/uploads/Intimidator-Commercial-Flyer-1739.pdf

Friend recommended a "Full River" battery but I had never heard of them. So looking now. Fancy AGM has stupid name. Specs and terminal post locations are desirable. I'm sure its a rebadge but don't recognize the case.. https://www.fullriverbattery.com/ft-series-batteries/

Cost of AGM these days might drive me to think like Dave and go flooded.

 

[Corbet]

Update on the Deka group 31. It's backordered with no ETA, thanks covid. But price quoted was $237.34 out the door which I liked.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Based on prior experience my gut says just get another X2 Power from batteries plus. Great warranty but no local store anymore so that doesn't really help. https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli27fagmdp?variationCode=VI712717

We have Batt+ here in GJ. Happy to pick up stock or order then meet in the middle. Always looking for good excuse to get to Montrose or something.

Just read a cool article in OutdoorX4 about LifePo. .... (Dave-flame suit on)

Why? Lithium is expensive but has a distinct weight and usable capacity advantage in exchange for a lot of lunch money.

 

[Corbet]

Yup, here you go, 2350 cold cranking amps and only 25lbs.

404 - Page Not Found - Braille Battery

[...]Read More

braillebattery.com

or 3100…

404 - Page Not Found - Braille Battery

[...]Read More

braillebattery.com

 

[gungriffin]

If you don't mind a crazy price, there is Antigravity that is making lithium starter batteries too. They are actually a bit less than the Braille batteries. Tim and Kelsey of Dirt Sunrise have one in their Maltec 80 series build and are fans of it. Apparently it has held up well in the desert in the summer too.

AUTOMOTIVE LITHIUM BATTERIES

Our Lightweight Lithium Car Batteries have our new WIRELESS RE-START technology and FULL Battery Management System (BMS) for safest longest life.

antigravitybatteries.com