Battery…..

[08URJ200]

I wouldn't say that Truestart is made by Interstate, rather the company that manufactures Truestart also manufactures Interstate and likely a bunch of other well-known brands. Clarios who purchased Johnson Controls also manufactures Optima for example.
I got the battery from the parts counter. There was no mention of me installing the battery voiding the warranty but that would also be ridiculous if it were the case. I just kept the receipt plus they asked for my info and pulled me up in the system as I have purchased many parts from them before. I would imagine that all that is saved in the system for them to pull it up in the future. Just guessing though.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Thought I'd throw this out...
I just replaced my Toyota TruStart with a Deka 727FMF.
It's been great so far.

However, this brand came up as the ultimate battery replacement even in place of a flooded lead acid (FLA) while talking to a vendor about an electrical mod I'm making on my LC:
LITHIUM BATTERIES, MICRO-STARTS - https://antigravitybatteries.com/

This would be a drop in replacement for a 200 series LC according to the Antigravity website:
Group-27 Lithium Car Battery - https://antigravitybatteries.com/products/starter-batteries/automotive/ag-27-rs/

I like the idea of a lithium for a starter battery and I'd probably try one if I hadn't just replaced my battery with the Deka.
I'm not sure about charging voltages on the lithium but the folks I talked to said they're designed to work fine in stock LC's that had stock FLA batteries. So maybe they have some kind of built in charging management. Dunno.

 

[32cls6speedmt]

The interstate battery from Costco. Less than 3 years old. Has started leaking. Will replace with another one from Costco. Will clean terminals.

 

[PDoyle]

Don't forget to clean your battery tray. Acid kills

 

[slipkid13]

I plug my batteries (200 and motorcycle) into a battery tender every day. Keeping the battery charged greatly extends its life. I get 5-7 years out of my motorcycle batteries and that is with it sitting from Dec-Apr. I never used to charge my car batteries but started about 4 years ago when I got my LX.

 

[Dunbar]

My Toyota Truestart is dying right at 3 years build date of 9/23 and 10/26 now. It had the original in it before that in my 2020 model so it only lasted 3-4 years. I'm going to switch to AGM. I despise the corrosion that comes with Lead Acid units. It bypasses the dielectric grease. I'll just top it weekly to get around the weak output of the OEM alternator

 

[PDoyle]

Thought AGM was no bueno.

 

[bloc]

to get around the weak output of the OEM alternator

TIL a 180A alternator producing correct charge for the battery it was designed for is weak.

 

[TeCKis300]

My Toyota Truestart is dying right at 3 years build date of 9/23 and 10/26 now. It had the original in it before that in my 2020 model so it only lasted 3-4 years. I'm going to switch to AGM. I despise the corrosion that comes with Lead Acid units. It bypasses the dielectric grease. I'll just top it weekly to get around the weak output of the OEM alternator

Is your rig a daily driver or does it sit a lot?

A healthy lead acid generally will not vent and corrode. When it does, it's usually indicative of overcharging, or more likely, sulfation due to sitting at lower states of charge.

You can put a float charger on the lead acid just the same to prevent the later.

Another option is a lead-acid with sealed characteristics of an AGM. Charge profile compatible with the electrical system as designed, but with AGM like qualities.

Thread 'Homebrew Single Group 31 Battery Install'

Jun 23, 2020

Took a cue from this thread and ordered a high quality Deka 1131PMF battery. It's a flooded lead acid which has the advantage of full compatibility with the stock smart alternator charging profile (and longest life prospects). With often sought features of AGM including:
- Spill proof
- Heavy duty full frame construction (claimed 20x stronger vibration resistance)
- Heavy duty plates for 2x better extended battery life (and therefore better deep discharge capacity while maintaining good battery life)
- Deep plate envelop pockets to increase life and reduce likelihood of shorts
-...

• TeCKis300
• Replies: 67
• Forum: 200-Series Cruisers

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[Dunbar]

Daily driver with 50+ miles/day. I know it's not getting overcharged. I know about the diode fix to trick the alternator to charge an AGM but believe that it does not work for a 2020 and a year or two earlier. This is the only lead acid battery I have had to deal with for about 20 years and I dislike it. I much prefer AGM. I see the new solid state batteries but they are too new and I do not wish to worry about burning my truck to the ground being a beta tester.

 

[bloc]

A healthy lead acid generally will not vent and corrode.

It may be a truestart thing because mine did the same. Now running an Interstate MTP without the issue.

 

[40Man]

Thought AGM was no bueno.

I've been running the same X2 AGM for nine years using stock alternator with no diode. I was topping it off from time to time, but now maybe it gets put on the trickle once a year. I do live in a fairly mild climate.

 

[KLF]

Thought AGM was no bueno.

This is an urban legend, unfortunately promoted by one or two members on this board, with no real proof.

My previous Odyssey AGM lasted almost 9 years. The NL battery monitor on my dash started sending out a lot of "low battery" alarms last fall if the truck sat for a few days, we were getting ready for a long road trip, so I replaced it (with the same thing).

Yes, I plug in my NOCO charger to top off both of my AGMs almost weekly. It's not a big deal, very easy for me, takes only seconds, I don't even have to open my hood.

 

[VPP]

I had an interstate battery in my 08 and it lasted two years and I returned it for warranty. They replaced it with the same thing and it lasted a whopping two years again. I live in a mild climate too.

what are the preferred battery brands? Also, looking to see what manufacturer makes the OEM Toyota battery and I read its Panasonic? Can anyone confirm?

Ok, if you are using an acid battery, there is a product that extends the life of the battery, by preventing the normal buildup on the plates. Just divide the ounces equally among the cells and add it. https://www.jbtools.com/solder-it-charge-it-battery-additive-concentrated-formula-2-fluid-oz-ch-77/

The other thing you need are terminal felt protectors that prevent the acid from destroying your battery cable connectors, Some come lubricated and if not rub grease on them before installing on the battery, then install your cables. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...attery-washers/std0/bpp71?q=felt+battery+pads

Although a lot of people don't like the Optima batteries, I prefer them as they are advertised to last 3 times longer than other batteries. I have a red top in my car, and I'm passing my 6th year with it. If the battery needs charging, you can't use the normal battery charger as it won't charge it, it sees the battery as a defective, you need a charger for a AGM battery, and I think this is where owners aren't aware and then become dissatisfied with the product. The batteries are more expensive and you don't have to deal with the acid effect on cable terminal. To remove the acid effect, a mixture of water and baking soda will dissolve it and neutralize it, just poor it on the cable connector and always were safety glasses. https://www.optimabatteries.com/

 

[Dunbar]

Going to pick up the X2 local. I have one in our Lexus and it's been fine for a few years. The Odyssey's are not as easily available. $424 for the X2 Group 27F after core and 15% discount buying online at Batteries Plus. In Dec of 2023 the Group 34 in the Lexus was $348 total at Batteries Plus.

 

[Dunbar]

 

[Dunbar]

Had to brush and use some vinegar to clean up the mount and terminals. Coated raw metal parts with dielectric grease.

 

[gasman4u]

View attachment 4234960

Good looking battery for sure. I had one in my old truck I tried to get warranty coverage a little under 3 years in. BATteRiEs pLuS bUlbS wanted to hold it for 3 days to let me know if they’d replace it. I went next door to aap/az/whatever after letting management know that was unacceptable in no uncertain terms. I hope your experience is better than mine.

I can’t remember which thread this is relevant for, but I had to recently warranty a Costco interstate AGM as it wouldn’t hold charge. 9/2025 build and install date for a Honda. Clearly they don’t make them like they used to.

 

[bjowett]

I’ve had good luck with both Odyssey and Walmart Everstart AGM manufactured by East Penn (regional). The latter is a relative bargain @ $189 for most sizes.

 

[IslandCruiser23]

Almost 5 years on a Costco interstate 27F - $105 in 2022. The charge voltage from the alternator only gets to 13.9 volts so I put in on a NOCO charger every couple of weeks. From what I have read, AGM's need 14.5 - 14.7 volt during the absorption phase so I just use a cheap battery as my main battery and a AGM as my house battery...