Optima D35, D34, D31A Yellow, Red, Blue - Confused!!!

[RacerLex]

Confused about which Optima to get. I'm looking for a replacement battery, single battery setup here, no winch, fridge or super stereo at this time. Most likely going to Costco to buy the battery. According to my search results here, Optima Yellow D34 is an easy replacement, no wiring hassles. But D31A is a bigger battery for more reserve. Blue is also an option but maybe not best suited for my basic application? Some people have said to stay away from Red.

According to the battery selection tool from Optima's web site, D35 Yellow or Red top is the proper battery for a 96 Land Cruiser (I've got an LX450). I didn't find anyone here running this battery. Need some direction here.

[reffug]

I don't know model #'s however I would go with a yellow top with a light gray case as opposed to the dark grey case for a single battery application.

The light grey is dual use and can be used in starting applications as well as being deep cycle.

[chitown40]

If you don't have any major power-drawing accessories, there are plenty of other batteries at less than half the cost of an Optima that will server your needs more than adequetly. I just purchased an Interstate Mega-Tron Plus Group 24F (p/n: MTP-24F). Better specs than all the Optimas except Group 31 size for $77.16 with tax. According to my local Interstate rep (who sells both brands since Interstate makes Optima) the MegaTron plus is as good or better. I got a good deal since I paid fire department pricing level, but if you're crafty you can probably get the same price.

Interstate Batteries - Every Battery for Every Need

[RacerLex]

Didn't know about the shades of gray distinction! Will look for the light gray case.

[reffug]

chitown

just a guess here but I think he is looking towards the future and expandability of the electric system.

course I could be way wrong.

[RacerLex]

chitown40: You're right about my current needs, but I tend to overbuy at times from reading this forum! I was also thinking about adding a 1000-1500 power inverter this summer.

[Corbet]

D31A will fit with no mods (also listed as part # SC31DM)

[thestallionq8]

If my memory serves me correctly I have a D34 yellow top in my rig and I had to ghetto rig the battery compartment wall to get the wires to reach the proper places!

[chitown40]

Originally Posted by reffug

chitown

just a guess here but I think he is looking towards the future and expandability of the electric system.

course I could be way wrong.

I figured as much, but I just wanted to throw out the option. According to the Interstate rep, they have had LESS problems with their wet cells than the Optimas as of late, and the price is half the cost. With the exception of the cell type, the specs are almost identical. I run a 800 watt inverter, several extra DC outlets, and CB at times, along with an installed winch all while living in the Chicago climate and have had no problems with even smaller capacity batteries. I know we like to overkill things here in the 80 section though.

[RacerLex]

Went to Costco and picked up a Optima Yellow 34/78. Tried to install it and the cables do not reach the battery posts. Just not enough slack in my trucks wiring to make it happen. Did some more research and found Sears has an AGM battery, Diehard Platinum, which is the top rated battery by Consumer Reports right now. Also has the best warranty out there. But same problem - cables don't reach. I then compared specs of all my battery candidates and went back to OEM. It seams to be the best bang/buck and no cabling drama. Most interesting stat is the Reserve Capacity of OEM is higher than all the other batteries!

Battery - Cold Crank Amps - Reserve Capacity - Warranty - Price - LxWxH

Diehard International 27F - 710 CCA - 155 RC - 36/100 mon - $130
12-3/4 x 6-7/8 x 8-7/8

Diehard Platinum 34 P1 - 880 CCA - 135 RC - 48/100 mon - $180
10-9/10 x 6-4/5 x 7-4/5

Diehard Platinum 31M PM-1 - 1150 CCA - 205 RC - 36/100 mon - $250
13 x 6-4/5 x 9-1/2

Interstate Megatron Plus 24F - 800 CCA - 125 RC - 30/85 mon - $100
11 x 6-7/8 x 8-3/4

Lexus 27F - 710 CCA - 165 RC - 24/84 mon - $80
12 x 6-7/8 x 8

Optima Yellow 34/78 - 750 CCA - 120 RC - 12/24 mon - $170
10 x 6-7/8 x 8-7/8

Optima Yellow D31A - 900 CCA - 155 RC - 12/24 mon - $250
12-13/16 x 6-1/2 x 9-3/8

Optima Blue D31M - 900 CCA - 155 RC - 18/18 mon - $250
12-13/16 x 6-1/2 x 9-3/8

[97 FZJ80]

There are two Optima batteries that drops in without any wiring modifications.

The 34R Redtop - "R" for reverse SAE terminals fits perfectly without wiring modifications if you use the Optima spacer under the battery.

The D31M bluetop has offseted terminals that also fits without any wiring modifications. It is a deep cycle battery.

[RacerLex]

My options were kind of limited as my Cruiser had a dead battery and I had to pick from what was available locally. From the reading I've done, I really didn't find a benefit of buying an Optima Red top for my application. I'm going back to Costco to return the Yellow 34/78 and will check to see what's in stock there.

After all the searches, one thing about the Optima that's got me worried - lots of battery failures comparatively speaking, and the worst warranty out there. Doesn't give me that warm fuzzy feeling.

[reffug]

If its any consellation my first Optima lasted 8 years and then only died IMO from sitting, i.e. lack of use for 2/3 months in summer heat.

I was warm and fuzzy.

[johnnyx]

I've had 3 Red Tops and all lasted for way longer than I thought (one of them an a vehicle w/ a Warn M8000 w/ low to moderate use.).

I've heard a ton of complaints lately about the crappy quality of the Optimas - guess I've been lucky (?).

[robmir]

Originally Posted by RacerLex

Went to Costco and picked up a Optima Yellow 34/78. Tried to install it and the cables do not reach the battery posts. Just not enough slack in my trucks wiring to make it happen. Did some more research and found Sears has an AGM battery, Diehard Platinum, which is the top rated battery by Consumer Reports right now. Also has the best warranty out there. But same problem - cables don't reach. I then compared specs of all my battery candidates and went back to OEM. It seams to be the best bang/buck and no cabling drama. Most interesting stat is the Reserve Capacity of OEM is higher than all the other batteries!

Battery - Cold Crank Amps - Reserve Capacity - Warranty - Price

Diehard International 27F - 710 CCA - 155 RC - 36/100 mon - $130

Diehard Platinum 34 P1 - 880 CCA - 135 RC - 48/100 mon - $180

Interstate Megatron Plus 24F - 800 CCA - 125 RC - 30/85 mon - $100

Lexus 27F - 710 CCA - 165 RC - 24/84 mon - $80

Optima Yellow 34/78 - 750 CCA - 120 RC - 12/24 mon - $170

You can´t compare deep cycle batteries against LSI (Light,Starting,Ignition) standard batteries. Is like comparing apples with oranges. Both are fruits but that´s it.

A deep cycle can stand better a full discharge situation versus a standard battery and this has nothing to do with the reserve capacity.

Once you fully deplete a standard battery it will never charge back to it´s full 100 % capacity.

[SWCruiser]

I have a yellow and red group 31.. Both seem to fit fine. my understanding from interstate was that the only difference between the yellow and blue are the type and position of the posts... no problems with either for 2 years.

[Sarmajor]

The yellow top would be my choice if I was looking. The D31 is a big heavy battery but should fit well n the battery box as long as it is not to tall. They are excellent in cold temperature situations and have a very low internal discharge rate. Two will start a Caterpillar D6 at -15C.


Cheers

[RacerLex]

robmir: I tried to find the Cycle Life metric but I don't believe they are published by the manufacturers? I would assume the Cycle Life on AGM deep cycle batteries would be superior to all others. The reason Reserve Capacity was important to me is because I'm relying on a single battery. In theory, a higher Reserve Capacity would allow me to run my accessories for a longer period of time before the need for a jump start, no?

[Grench]

I have two D31A batteries in my Grey truck and one D31A in my wife's Red one.

I ran one D31A in my truck without wiring modifications. When I went dual matched batteries in my truck, I moved the single over to my wife's. It worked without major modifications. If I recall right, the D31A is about 5lbs heavier than the standard 27F that Toyota puts in them.

That said, it is a -tight- fit. I'm using factory brackets & J hooks. One of the Zip ties may have had to be removed from the + harness to allow the extra 2" of slack to make the + connection. Hard to remember on that note.

However, there have been some reports that the + cable in some of these trucks is just a touch short to reach on the D31A yellow top. YMMV on this one.

The single D31A in my wife's truck that was formerly in my truck is about 5 years old now. The dual setup in my truck is about 3 years old.

I have no complaints. Details on my big switches & cables & parallel dual matched battery install are in the Dual Battery FAQ.

I bought my D31A batteries before the current conflict in the gulf. The single was $180 at the local auto parts store. Since I wasn't aware of anyone else using these at the time, it was a bit of a gamble to see if it would work. Happy with that, I did some research and found out that Optima also sells them in a two pack of factory profiled & matched batteries. At the time I bought a set for $289 shipped UPS. I bring this up because the prices have changed. A lot. If my batteries fail tomorrow (high 10*F) it would require some serious soul and wallet searching before I would be willing to pay the $300 per unit now +$30 per for matching fee for parallel installations +shipping.

Having $300 in batteries seemed extravagant. A $700 set... just sounds silly.

YMMV

[RacerLex]

The cable lengths do seem to differ among Cruisers. In mine there was very little slack, even after removing the cable ties. The 31 sized batteries seem to have a good fit, so I added the specs for the Optima and Diehard Platinum to the list.

[97 FZJ80]

The D31M - the marine version has offset terminals, unlike the regular D31A. The D31M will actually fit most 80 battery trays without the need to stretch the + wires.

[RacerLex]

Originally Posted by 97 FZJ80

The D31M - the marine version has offset terminals, unlike the regular D31A. The D31M will actually fit most 80 battery trays without the need to stretch the + wires.

Noted. And it has a better replacement warranty than the Yellow top - 18 months vs 12.

[Skillet]

Yellow on DS and and Blue on PS. Both fit fine in stock trays with the plastic battery lifters that came with them .

My rig is a '93 but the cable fitment was not a problem.

I am with reffug, if I had to choose, the yellow top dual purpose would be my choice.

[robmir]

Originally Posted by RacerLex

robmir: I tried to find the Cycle Life metric but I don't believe they are published by the manufacturers? I would assume the Cycle Life on AGM deep cycle batteries would be superior to all others. The reason Reserve Capacity was important to me is because I'm relying on a single battery. In theory, a higher Reserve Capacity would allow me to run my accessories for a longer period of time before the need for a jump start, no?

That´s right but you should monitor battery´s voltage carefull because there is a moment were you will not have enough juice to start your cruiser.

That´s why I am not a big fan of relying in only one battery specially if you travel alone. One thing is turning off the radio to save energy and another is to have my portable refrigerator full with food and been unable to turn on my cruiser.

When we do our long trips to the rain forest we often stay parked in place for a whole week, I don´t carry a portable generator or a solar panel, the nearer gas station is about 300 miles away so wasting gas to charge my 3 batteries with a 215 HP powered generator (well, alternator if the true word is required) is ridiculous.

And as all are aware, heat is the main killer of Optima batteries, so my case is not the best scenario having 3 very expensive deep cycle juice boxes for a vehicle used for this long trips only once a year.

But if I were you, I would install a non expensive standard battery for DD and winching, and a large reserve deep cycle for the accesories and in the worst case, to jump start the vehicle if by mistake the main battery were depleted, something you should never let happen since it will destroy in the long term this standard battery.

[Tapage]

Just wondering but nobody mention here the AC Delco Batts .. I own one for almost 6 years. It's a Marine DeepCycle and it's totally awesome bat. Been discharget for couple of times ( some by the winch and others by the alarm ) and it's there starting my Tencha each time that I need ..

Also have a Optima yellow Top that buy for cheap, and it's now for my light and winch ..