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Battery options.

NJK5Sean

NJK5Sean

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Concrete Jungle, New Jersey
What is everyone using for high performance batteries these days? I've heard the Optima batteries have gone down hill over the years. How are the Odyssey batteries? Any other options out there? Looking for an upgrade for my tired out one. Planning on running a bunch of electrical goodies so I want a good battery.
 
I was a loyal Interstate user for YEARS but over the past 3 years I've had nothing but trouble, I'm slowly switching all my vehicles over to O'Reilly brand batteries which are made by Deka. There's a long thread here about batteries.
 
Mine are all lead acid, I had an Optima Red in my K5 for a while but it only lasted about 18 months so I ditched it. I went with regular batteries because I didn't want to buy a new charger.
 
NJK5Sean said:
Planning on running a bunch of electrical goodies so I want a good battery.
Click to expand...

Do you need a good battery, a good alternator, or both?

My personal opinion anymore is that unless you are going to be running electrical with the rig off (which you should then get a very good true deep cycle battery, not even a hybrid marine one) get an alternator that has more than enough capacity for what you intend to run, and a starting battery that is about the cheapest you can find.

Looked at the Wal-mart battery that's been in my truck since I bought it, it's dated 9/11. So over 5 years, cheapest battery I could find. Truck sits outside for very long periods without being driven, with the tiny draw from an ECM and digital clock, but it's never gone flat on it's own.

A week or so ago I stupidly left the key in the run position. The battery was at less than a volt. Hooked up a 1A charger/maintainer, jumped the battery, it's now on a maintenance cycle, indicating none of the cells failed.

Edit: Update for future generations. Battery maintainer sat on the battery for a couple months after the above mistake. Started the truck up a few times, but with somewhat slow cranking. Drove it to work, parked it, came back out, drove it another 15 minutes, parked again, battery dead. 13V+ when running, it's not an alternator problem. So ~6 years out of a Walmart cheapy battery, which I abused twice, once fatally.
 
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dyeager535 said:
Do you need a good battery, a good alternator, or both?

My personal opinion anymore is that unless you are going to be running electrical with the rig off (which you should then get a very good true deep cycle battery, not even a hybrid marine one) get an alternator that has more than enough capacity for what you intend to run, and a starting battery that is about the cheapest you can find.

Looked at the Wal-mart battery that's been in my truck since I bought it, it's dated 9/11. So over 5 years, cheapest battery I could find. Truck sits outside for very long periods without being driven, with the tiny draw from an ECM and digital clock, but it's never gone flat on it's own.

A week or so ago I stupidly left the key in the run position. The battery was at less than a volt. Hooked up a 1A charger/maintainer, jumped the battery, it's now on a maintenance cycle, indicating none of the cells failed.
Click to expand...

Very valid point. As of now I don't use much with key off. However, I would like the ability to do so when camping, fishing, tailgating etc. Upgrades to the rest of the system are also in my plans. My reasoning for looking into batteries now is that I feel the one in there may be on its last legs. So, I might as well upgrade now instead of buying a replacement now and an upgrade later. Although, running dual batteries is also something I am considering. Doing some homework now to make an educated decision.
 
If you want to use it for camping, and use the battery with the rig off, I'd certainly consider a dual battery setup, so that your starting battery is always available for starting. Go with a cheap starter battery (that is the proper size for the rig).

Save money from the starter battery for a true deep cycle for your secondary setup. Batteries fail. Spending a bunch of money on a "good battery" (Optima? Insterstate? Delco? None are guaranteed good over the long haul) that is only used for starting is foolish *IMO*. True deep cycle batteries are costly, but there is a reason they weigh 25-50% more than other batteries sold as deep cycle (and cost at least that much more). You also aren't going to find honest figures for most automotive/marine batteries, but you will with the true deep cycles. Those manufacturers will tell you how many hours at how many amps it will last. That is what is needed to compare battery capacity. CA, CCA, Reserve Capacity, all different ways to not tell you the actual capacity of the battery. Do not let a salesman tell you otherwise. Spend a few minutes looking at a website like Trojan http://www.trojanbattery.com/?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=CMiS9oab6NACFdgIgQodKp4IKw to see what you won't find from your starting/"marine" battery manufacturers. At least from what all I could find when digging into this.

It takes a lot of work to get to the bottom of battery design and usage (particularly actual capacity), but look at applications like golf carts or electric scooters. Those use real deep cycle batteries because they have enormous capacity, and are truly designed to be deep discharged.
 
I have read several articles on batteries recently,and also listened to two "car experts" on local talk radio programs that have great reputations for knowing their stuff--they all said the same thing when asked "what battery is best" or "are the cheap ones any good"?.

The answers were "there are only two major battery manufacturers in the USA,and our experience is lately (the past 3-4 years),no matter what brand you buy,or how long the warranty is--your likely to either get a decent one that will last 5+ years--or one that wont even make it out of the free replacement period.."..

My truck will likely need two new batteries,lately they crank the engine slower in the cold and are likely "done"..
My alternator may not be charging 100% either,sometimes I notice the volt meter stays under 13V,then it'll rise up to 14-15V after awhile..but the batteries are due anyway..

I hate to give Walmart any of my money--but I can buy two of their lower priced ones, for the price of one at a parts store or Sears,etc..my Duralast batteries were in my truck when I got it and looked at least a few years old,and I have had it since 2003...one is a group 75 "regular" Duralast and the other is a Duralast Gold the same size--both have "Made In Mexico" stickers too,so I cant say ones not made in the USA are junk..
I'm going to put group 78's in it this time--frankly I'm very surprised those dinky group 75's even started the truck--never mind last 13 years,and the truck sat a lot until 2013 when it became my daily driver too..

I would not buy an Optima or any similar battery--after hearing too many people's complaints about them failing early or not holding a charge for more than a few days,I think they are a waste of money..
The AGM batteries seem to hold up well--I like batteries I can add water too if needed though,and few of them have that feature any more..
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I'll look further into the true deep cycle batteries for future use and shop around for a good starting battery for now.

Anyone have any experience with the Odyssey barreries? Are they true deep cycle?
 
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