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 Batteries. Which do you guys prefer?
#963134
09/13/09 04:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 525
OP
Rock Warrior
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The time has come. After a few sessions over the years of leaving my lights on, my battery's behaving like a 98lb. weakling, no offense to any 98lb. weaklings out there.
I guess over the past 10-12 years I've bought my batteries at Advance just since it was easy, local, and cheap, but this go round, I think I'd like something a little higher quality, maybe something with more cold cranking power for the colder months.
Did a quick search but couldn't really see anything in the archives, so I thought a little poll would be nice, and any accompanying comments of reliability and performance much appreciated.
What brand battery do you guys like?
Where do you buy?
How much?
msg - '87 xtracab
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Re: Batteries. Which do you guys prefer?
[Re: yodta]
#963135
09/13/09 05:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,153
Web Wheeler
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I have run the AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries in my 4Runner for about 12 years now. Don't seem to be able to kill them, I have run mine dead dozens of times over the years and they come right back. I have two rather small batteries in a dual battery config, so not uncommon for me to drain one camping, but a flip of the switch and the other one starts the engine up: - http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/DualBatteries.shtmlI replaced mine a few years back since I was doing some work in the area. Those two original batteries are actual still going strong hooked to some solar panels at my house. Put in a set of Odyssey batteries to replace them, identical to the ones I originally had in there and put one in my VW diesel: - http://www.odysseybatteries.com/
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Re: Batteries. Which do you guys prefer?
[Re: 4Crawler]
#963136
09/13/09 07:43 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 29
Getting the Wheeling Fever
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yodta I hope you don't mind but 4Crawler I have looked at the link you posted and did you ever mount the air tank??
Thanks Tcloud
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Re: Batteries. Which do you guys prefer?
[Re: Tcloud]
#963137
09/13/09 07:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,153
Web Wheeler
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Not yet. I am putting in another cross member over the rear axle to support an air bag and need to see how much room is left for the tank. And once the air bag is in place, it'll actually be set up to work as additional air storage while stopped.
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Re: Batteries. Which do you guys prefer?
[Re: 4Crawler]
#963138
09/13/09 11:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 970
Rock Warrior
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I'm using one of the Orbital gel-cell batteries from Napa. May not really fit you 4x style, but now that I'm doing occaisonal trail-racing I wanted something physically safer w/ good pop-back power after winching etc. After 18 months of pretty good abuse I'm very happy w/ it.
The general consensus I've heard from many, many folks is that Optimas are no longer really any good, Interstate really dropped the quality on them.
With 200+ Billion electrical parts, the world most complicated machine is inside your own skull.
Question Reality.
-----------------------------
'89 Rnr DLX "SR4.5", 32s w/ 5.29 locked f/r blah blah
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Re: Batteries. Which do you guys prefer?
[Re: RatLabGuy]
#963139
09/14/09 12:31 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 981
Rock Warrior
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Optimas are really not that good anymore, dunno why unless they are skimping quality.
Im gonna get an odyssey next time.
1996 T100, Mickey Thomson Classics, Bridgestone Dueler AT 265/75/16, custom offroad KC's.
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Re: Batteries. Which do you guys prefer?
[Re: CJMT100]
#963140
09/14/09 04:44 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 525
OP
Rock Warrior
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thanks for the answers fellas.
just did some reading on the Odyssey batteris -- WOH!
those seem to be the DEAL!
Roger, I'm sure you've got some custom kevlar/rare metals mounting setup going, but which batteries did you pick up, and how do they compare to the OEM wrt geometry? am I going to need some custom bracket work?
I suppose I can call Odyssey for recommended model. I'm guessing the PC1200?
I had Interstate in my other vehicle for a while, and went cheapo on the replacement. the Interstate seemed to do well, and I was actually considering it this go around, but I'm a sucker for overbuilt/ultra-reliable, so I think I'm leaning toward the Odyssey.
Last edited by yodta; 09/14/09 04:56 AM.
msg - '87 xtracab
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Re: Batteries. Which do you guys prefer?
[Re: yodta]
#963141
09/14/09 06:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,153
Web Wheeler
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Battery tray/mounting details covered in the web page link posted earlier, some pix. below: ![[Linked Image]](http://www.4crawler.com/Photos/103_pana/p1030794.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://www.4crawler.com/Photos/103_pana/p1030795.jpg) And the two batteries are bolted up underneath the truck: ![[Linked Image]](http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Images/DualBattery_02.jpg) I think they have a full/normal size battery now, but I have a pair of 925s in my 4Runner and a 1200 in my VW, that one mounts in the stock location: ![[Linked Image]](http://www.4crawler.com/Photos/103_pana/p1030749.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](http://www.4crawler.com/Photos/103_pana/p1030750.jpg) All mine came with the brass SAE posts ready to drop battery cable clamps onto.
Last edited by 4Crawler; 09/14/09 11:36 PM.
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Re: Batteries. Which do you guys prefer?
[Re: 4Crawler]
#963142
09/14/09 10:25 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 525
OP
Rock Warrior
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wow, you've got all sorts of mounting options going on there, Rog! I just phoned West Coast Batteries. for my 1987 22R they recommended the PC1200LMJTAre the terminals extra? ![[Linked Image]](http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc1200lmjt_lg_01.jpg)
Last edited by yodta; 09/14/09 10:27 PM.
msg - '87 xtracab
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Re: Batteries. Which do you guys prefer?
[Re: yodta]
#963143
09/15/09 08:10 AM
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,748
Toyota Moderator
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It looks like Odyssey has addressed one of my concerns of using AGM VRLA batteries underhood exposed to engine compartment temperatures.. that is their tendency to enter into a thermal runaway scenario.. While I have one of our commercial 100AH VRLA batteries (i.e. free to me) in the rear of my vehicle where it is in a temperature controlled environment, I've been reluctant to use one underhood where it would be exposed to high ambient temperatures. VRLA AGMs have historically had the tendency for thermal runaway when on charge in 95F deg and beyond temperature environments for extended periods of time. I've seen the results of one happening in an IT server farm power system. Based on their app manual below, I see that they have tested and addressed that concern.. Interestingly, they still have the caution on high temp environments and recommend the metal jacket versions for high temp situations. Roger, I see you have yours mounted away from the engine heat, a good idea... http://www.odysseybattery.com/documents/US-GPL-AM-003_0906.pdf
3.2 Thermal runaway test
Thermal runaway (TR) describes a situation in which the battery is unable to maintain a steady current when connected to a CV charger. TR can also happen when the battery temperature increases rapidly due to inadequate
heat dissipation from the battery.
As the battery draws current, its internal temperature rises. If the heat generated is not dissipated, the internal reaction rate of the battery will increase, forcing the battery to draw more current. This in turn generates more heat. The increasing heat generation and attendant higher current draw feed on each other which, if allowed to escalate will trigger TR.
........... and here they have the results of their tests showing their batteries do not enter TR or, at least remain safe if it were to happen...... follow above link for further info...
4.4.1 Temperature
Avoid placing batteries in areas of high temperature or in direct sunlight. The optimal temperature range for performance and service life of the Genesis battery is 20?C (68?F) to 25?C (77?F). These batteries can, however be used at temperatures ranging from -40?C (-40?F) to 80?C (176?F) when fitted with a metal jacket.
I see the one recommended above is the metal jacket version..... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
2000 4Runner,V6,Auto,31's, Sliders, Skids, On-Board Air, Air Shocks Related Interests: Welding, Ham Radio, Road Tripping (Blue Highways), High End Video/Audio Systems
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