80 Dual Battery / Best 2nd battery?

[tech_dog]

So what's up with the supposed specs of a group 27 battery?

I'm finding all kinds of sizes that claim to be 27's, with many of them more than an inch beyond the specification. Is there an acceptable tolerance, or has marketing driven the manufacturers to claim compliance when it's not there?

T.

 

[Mike S]

FWIW, I ran 2 grp 31 Optima YTs (isolated) on my 60, and I never was in need of extra power. They are simply awesome. I plan to use the same set-up in my recently bought FZJ80.

The Exide Orbital that camw in my 80 ran out of steam when I left the door oen (dome light on) for 2 hours. Recharged OK tho' on the trickle charger.

M

 

[Darwood]

So what's up with the supposed specs of a group 27 battery?

I'm finding all kinds of sizes that claim to be 27's, with many of them more than an inch beyond the specification. Is there an acceptable tolerance, or has marketing driven the manufacturers to claim compliance when it's not there?

T.

Can you give some examples? I haven't encountered this, nor have I had an easy time finding group 27's, expecially 27Fs.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Hey Jeb

I run dual Die Hards on my rig. I run the "International" model as my starting battery and i run their Die Hard Deep Cycle RV/Marine Battery as my accessory battery (same setup as Pismo Jim). Been running this way for about 6 months or so with zero problems and i am very happy with the setup.

We went to Baja for 4 days during New Years and i ran TWO fridges (1 on fridge and 1 on freeze) for the entire 4 days, only starting the rig once a day and letting it run for about 15mins and everything worked great! Even ran the inverter for a bit to charge our lanterns! ALL accessory duties are done off of my 2nd battery ONLY, i dont draw ANYTHING from my main!

Personally, i have had 2 optimas die on me (both in jeeps, maybe thats the problem )and will NEVER buy another one no matter how cheap!

Pic of the dual fridge and inverter (note power strip) setup in mexico:

 

[tech_dog]

Can you give some examples? I haven't encountered this, nor have I had an easy time finding group 27's, expecially 27Fs.

A group 27 is supposed to be 12.06 x 6.81 x 8.88.

The Interstate AGM group 27 is 12.5 x 6.83 x 8.72. That's the closes to spec I've found, but it looks like I'd need a different battery strap even with the slim .44" difference.

The Meridian AGM group 27 is 13.03 x 6.5 x 6.93, which is pretty far off spec.

I've chased down a lot of other group 27 agm's that were so far off I didn't even bother recording the spec because they'd never fit under the hood. I've seen them listed at over 9.5" tall.

 

[alia176]

These batteries here look like a good deal, and Cabelas is first rate to deal with:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&indexId=cat350007&hasJS=true

Their Group 27 doesn't look too bad but at 62.5 lbs, I hate to find out what thing will cost shipping wise! the next time I'm driving by a Cabellas, I'll have to check it out. The specs are decent.

 

[tech_dog]

Although it's a group 27, it measures at 9.87" tall. That's flirting with the hood if I remember correctly. A group 27 isn't supposed to be any more than 8.88" tall.

That's the problem with these suckers....

 

[cpg]

group 27 agm Lifeline

 

[tech_dog]

That looks like a perfect fit. The stokc Toyota tie down strap is very unforgiving, and you obviously nailed it.

I've got something else on order and will post pix if all works out.