Battery frustrations (1 Viewer)

[firetruck41]

Optimas are AGM or absorbed glass mat, which are very different from gel batteries.

Roger that.

 

[firetruck41]

Optimas are AGM batteries.

Roger that.

 

[kennyv0826]

The battery I got, was on the recommendation of someone on the board, had it for 6 months, so no long term report, but it works fine so far. It was a stretch to get the cable to the terminals. It is from walmart, the MAXX-65N, supposedly made by Johnson Controls, 1000cranking amps, 3yr FREE replacement warranty, 9 yr prorated warranty, and was about $68. If you are looking for something relatively cheap, go for it, otherwise get an AGM battery.

Walmart sells a battery with 1000 cca's, a 9 yr prorated warranty, and a 3YR FREE REPLACEMENT!? That seems like a steal to me. The Exide ORB78DT also seems like a logical choice for a few more bucks.

I want a (2nd) battery that will support the winch, high output lights and bigger stereo that I'm adding and just use my Les Schwab orbital for starting and to run the standard equipment on my 80. I think I may go with the Exide if the Walmart special dosesn't seem up to snuff.

 

[kennyv0826]

Does anyone know who Les Schwab uses to make thier batts? I heard they went with a different manufacturer.

 

[John E Davies]

The Diehard International is 710 CCA and works great in my LX450. The BIG advantage to these batteries is that you can get replacements at any Sears Auto Center around the country. The off-the-wall brands are often hard to find and you may not be able to get an immediate replacement for a toasted battery.

I don't know he differences between a North and a South battery - does one have the Stars and Bars on it?

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[parabola]

I don't know he differences between a North and a South battery - does one have the Stars and Bars on it?

http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq7.htm#Sb/Ca

Great FAQ here BTW: http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/

 

[Rusty Phillips]

Optima D31a fits like a glove. At just under 1200 cranking amps, its hard to go wrong. They aren't cheap though. $150 to $180 per unit. I have two in my '96 and one in my wife's '96.

If you're in the desert though, I hear that having a maintainable battery and a jug of distilled water is the way to go.

not just the desert - anywhere where you have heat........ like under the hood of an fzj80

I almost sprung for a glass mat last month when my old battery finally gave up the ghost, but opted for a $75 autozone instead

my old battery died of dehydration..... if I had checked its level at any time in the last two years & didnt let it get as low as it did it might still be alive

 

[malmon]

"Funny though, all the Sears I've visited here in Austin have the northern version of this battery. I can't figure out why they have these here in Central TX, nor why it seems to be the ONLY battery they have the northern version of.

Question #1: Has anyone seen a Southern version of this battery?"





From what I know, Northern batteries have more lead and less acid and vice versa for the Southern version. This combination has something to do with the temperatures that the batteries will be operating in. You need more acid in a hotter place. This would also mean that that the Southern version batteries will have less CCA compared to the Northern version batteries in the same BCI Group size.

That said, the LX450s can be fitted with several BCI Group sizes although the recommended size is a Group 27. You can fit a Group 34R, a Group 65 (which is a little wider), a Group 78 etc. A Group 27 will be a little more expensive.

I'm using a Group 65 from Costco and it was relatively cheaper compared to other suppliers of the same Group size. Costco customer service/warranty is very good and they last pretty well. I believe they have a 850 CCA. And if you need more battery power, add a second battery.

 

[parabola]

That said, the LX450s can be fitted with several BCI Group sizes although the recommended size is a Group 27. You can fit a Group 34R, a Group 65 (which is a little wider), a Group 78 etc. A Group 27 will be a little more expensive.

I'm using a Group 65 from Costco and it was relatively cheaper compared to other suppliers of the same Group size. Costco customer service/warranty is very good and they last pretty well. I believe they have a 850 CCA. And if you need more battery power, add a second battery.

Good info on the sizes.

I've settled on the Exide battery, the 78DT-84.