Power upgrade Group 31 install and Optima content (1 Viewer)

[Bear80]

How's this battery holding up? Did you have to extend fusible links to make the connection? Academy has this battery for $109.

I put the fuseable links and connection junction inside the battery box. I think I had to remove a loom mount as to get enough slack to pull the wires further up. Keep in mind you will also need to notch the battery box along the bottom corner of the fender side to get a 31 battery to properly fit.

I had a small 100mA current drain that killed two Exides before I found it. The first Exide lasted 9 months, the second 4 months. With their capacity they should not have failed so quickly with the drain.

Tractor Supply had no problem issuing a refund in lieu of another warranty exchange since the second failure was in a shorter time frame compared to the first. It also appears from their website that they are no longer carrying Exide but their house brand Travelers...which by looks and specs appears to be an East Penn.

I went with a dual purpose East Penn group 31. They are sold as Deka directly from East Penn or a host of other names, such as Duracell, SuperStart or possibly Travelers. I purchased mine from Oreilly's and they matched the $109 that I paid for the Exide. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...-group-size-31p-top-post-battery/31hd/4742621 Best alternative to an AGM version IMO that is fully sealed and now my wires do not have to set above any vent caps.

 

[Mdej3]

When the battery hold down will be available sir?

I use L hooks with my set up that fit flat against the bottom. Should be available on my web site within a day or 2. First set up will go to @LS1FJ40 in the next day or so.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

When the battery hold down will be available sir?

I have them in stock and several have been installed but I have not had time to list them on my website. I'm on the trail testing I should be back within a couple days and we'll get them listed and I'll post on this thread. Thanks for the interest

Battery Bracket Upgrade - Land Cruiser Products - LCP

 

[amay3]

Put me down for a set of the hold downs once they are ready. Thanks Phil!

 

[LS1FJ40]

The first production model to be installed! Works like a champ!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Until I find time to list the LCP Battery Hold down w/anti stress fuseable link connections you can PM me with your email address and I can invoice you.

Battery Bracket Upgrade - Land Cruiser Products - LCP

Running the same set up for 6 years with ZERO issues works with Group 31 also

 

[Dirty Koala]

Got mine yesterday...hoping to get it installed this week.

 

[Mdej3]

What will be the price? Thank you sir

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

What will be the price? Thank you sir

Battery Bracket Upgrade - Land Cruiser Products - LCP

$37 shipped for what is pictured above
$65 shipped for guys with dual batteries (includes only 1 anti stress fuseable link connection)
All kits include a template for new hole locations


Some info for the geeks -
PVC coated bracket
All needed hardware for a complete install
#6 awg welding wire for anti-stress connection
Works will all batteries up to group 31
Also works with overflow bottle

The set up below I have been running for over 6 years with proven results. The pictured bracket was too large to work with the overflow bottle so the included bracket is slightly smaller (and PVC coated) to accommodate an overflow bottle. See picture above

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

As the story goes who know what Toyota was thinking or not thinking when they designed the factory battery hold down for our 80 series. It is the only Toyota made using this unsafe set up. All battery boxes tear using the factory hooks. When it happens your mount comes loose and in many cases contacts both terminals and SPARKS fly hopefully not starting a fire. Pictured below is one of our first customers before and after set ups. Note the burn marks on both of the battery hold downs.

Before Ekk!

After much better

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Where did you get that battery holdown and how is it attached at the bottom?

Battery Bracket Upgrade - Land Cruiser Products - LCP

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Time for a battery system wellness check - Its been about 1.5 years on this not approved set up going against everything your daddy told you about batteries. Both batteries were purchased at the same time.

The bad things Im doing to see if its just a myth or real

I run dual batteries 1 in the factory location and 1 in the rear back corner
Batteries are wired in parallel and never separate
Batteries manufactures do not match 1 Optima Blue and 1 Duracell marine
Battery sizes do not match 1 group 34 55AH and 1 group 31 115AH
I have run both batteries down to 4-5 volts more than once


Because the 80 series has been sitting a lot I have had a couple slow starts so I when to Batteries Plus to get the set up checked.

Batteries were at estimated 85% full charge
Load tested with 1000amp
Both batteries showed 12.4 volt after the load test making them within spec

So far Im busting the for ever battery myths

 

[george_tlc]

Batteries in parallel are fine to be charged/discharged as a parallel pair. That is what most of us have when driving around with a dual battery system and a solenoid/relay etc to combine them.

It's in series that mismatched batteries are a seriously bad idea.

cheers,
george.

 

[DJCloz]

@LandCruiserPhil what gauge wire are you using to run between the 2 batteries?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

@LandCruiserPhil what gauge wire are you using to run between the 2 batteries?

#4 fused at 60A

 

[jht3]

@LandCruiserPhil
Went to drill the lower holes and got confused regarding the template. I assumed the green circles indicate where the holes are to be drilled. But my template puts the holes nowhere near those. My template has me drilling into the sloped ribs.

I don't suppose you have a better picture of a driver's side box with the holes drilled?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

My Blue top Optima died today tomorrow it will be 5 years.
Blue top cost 6/9/2017 $202.95
Blue top cost 6/8/2022 $230.00

Take away -running miss-matched batteries in parallel 100% of the time is not a problem

YMMV