Biggest, Most Powerful Battery FJ40 (1 Viewer)

[dspan]

Hi Guys,

Yes, I have searched and read every thread on batteries. Unfortunately, they are all jammed with opinions (...everyone has one) and very few facts or data-points so I decided I would like to try a different approach.

Side Note: The battery in my FJ40 is a real piece of garbage, bought it at Advance Auto Parts, specifically it is the AutoCraft Silver 585CCA, 731CA. It is highly rated, and cheap which I thought was a great combo. Wrong, it sucks. I am sure it is fine for a little Civic 4-banger but not a 2F with an wimpy OEM alternator and 8274.

So, I am looking to settle this foolishness the old fashioned way. I want this group to reach a consensus on the top 3 to 5
batteries available, help me design a non-biased test and I will personally run the tests myself with my truck.

We need some constants, which I can provide:

-Decent FJ40 (check)
-Brand NEW 8274 (check)
-Brand NEW Sylvania 65W H6024CB Headlights (check)
-Temperature controlled garage, two tests, one at 20F? and one at 60F?. I live North of Boston, so the 20 is easy in the evening for the next 3 months.

I imagine the tests to be something like:

1.) Leave lights on for 10 minutes, start vehicle, 15 minutes, start, etc.
2.) Winching something heavy and consistent for 5 minutes, start vehicle.
3.) Leave dome light on for 5 hours, start vehicle. Repeat with radio
on fixed volume.
3.) Trickle charge all batteries to maximum according to manufacturers recommendation...
4.) Leave headlights on until they go dark, dead. (timed and video taped).
5.) A variety of battery tests using a digital multimeter.
6.) Insert anything you want here.
7.) Insert more... I have the time.

I would enjoy doing something like this and you are welcome to help. I am a scientist/engineer and I would be extremely careful about controlling variables and video taping everything, all posted to youtube. Believe it or not I am responsible for performance/failure testing a variety of software products and the same methodologies apply. There will always be that guy that thinks we should test in the middle of the Sahara while
on two wheels or on the top of Everest in a hail storm, but please... don't be "that guy". Let's use the 80/20 rule here.

So... ideally, the manufacturers we select would put their balls on the line and ship
me some vouchers or batteries to test. If anyone can help with that piece, let me know. If that is not possible, I would just take some PayPal donations and fund the rest out of my pocket in the name of truth and justice.

I am thinking this could bring (more) wide spread publicity to the board, and to the victor (battery) perhaps a nice sales uptick. Hell, I will be the first to buy the winning battery at MSRP, with a smile.

Any interest?

 

[jmdaniel]

Why would battery manufacturers be interested? They already do extensive, controlled testing. Just buy a battery and get on with your life...

Here's the one I put in mine. I don't expect to be battery shopping for a very long time....

http://www.sears.com/diehard-automo...0065000P&pageInd=product&i_cntr=1325129415773

 

[Bennett]

2 red-top optimas and will never buy one again.

Once they discharge you are ski-rood

going to try Interstate next.

 

[Eshu Elegua]

If you have a " Brand NEW 8274 (check)" read the instructions and you will found the specs on which batt to use,cos its the "most" that need power....

I imagine the tests to be something like:

1.) Leave lights on for 10 minutes, start vehicle, 15 minutes, start, etc.
2.) Winching something heavy and consistent for 5 minutes, start vehicle.
3.) Leave dome light on for 5 hours, start vehicle. Repeat with radio
on fixed volume.
3.) Trickle charge all batteries to maximum according to manufacturers recommendation...
4.) Leave headlights on until they go dark, dead. (timed and video taped).
5.) A variety of battery tests using a digital multimeter.
6.) Insert anything you want here.
7.) Insert more... I have the time

..I think you have too much time,found a RED BOX near your house and rent all the movies at 1 time

 

[coleman2347]

Interstate

When I was living in the US I always bought Interstate, I never used the useable on chart I bought the largest battery I could fit. I did this with about 10 different vehicles from trucks, cars, to Harley s and never had one bit of trouble. The one battery I would stay away from is what Wally world sells...have no idea what it is but knew a bunch of folks that had trouble with them....Lee

 

[misterpepper]

The best battery I can see on the Interstate battery site that will fit the stock battery tray (at least on my '70) is the MTP-78DT. I wouldn't mind seeing that included.

 

[45Kevin]

X2 on re-inventing the wheel.

I run a MotorMaster Eliminator (Canadian Tire house brand) with a 9 year full replacement warrantee and 27 year pro-rated. It's 800 or 900 CCA.

I find that the 8274 is hard on them, probably on all batterys. I am considering a second battery in the truck.

The battery has never failed me on cold (-30C) mornings.

 

[platypusREX]

Why would battery manufacturers be interested? They already do extensive, controlled testing. Just buy a battery and get on with your life...

Here's the one I put in mine. I don't expect to be battery shopping for a very long time....

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

I bought that one yesterday. That 189.99 is a sale price also.

 

[dspan]

Why would battery manufacturers be interested? They already do extensive, controlled testing. Just buy a battery and get on with your life...

Here's the one I put in mine. I don't expect to be battery shopping for a very long time....

http://www.sears.com/diehard-automotive-battery-platinum-p-2-group-size-65/p-02850065000P?currentProductTitle=diehard-automotive-battery-platinum-p-2-group-size-65&partNumber=02850065000P&storeId=10153&isSEOCanonURL=true&PRODUCT_TITLE_BRAND=diehard-automotive-battery-platinum-p-2-group-size-65&catalogId=12605&catgroupId=02850065000P&pageInd=product&i_cntr=1325129415773

I doubt they would be interested, but I did some research and the measurement standards seem a bit subjective. That Diehard Platinum is sick!

 

[dspan]

2 red-top optimas and will never buy one again.

Once they discharge you are ski-rood

going to try Interstate next.

Yeah, I have a sports car that killed a redtop in a year. I am thinking the yellow might be the one.

 

[dspan]

If you have a " Brand NEW 8274 (check)" read the instructions and you will found the specs on which batt to use,cos its the "most" that need power....

I imagine the tests to be something like:

1.) Leave lights on for 10 minutes, start vehicle, 15 minutes, start, etc.
2.) Winching something heavy and consistent for 5 minutes, start vehicle.
3.) Leave dome light on for 5 hours, start vehicle. Repeat with radio
on fixed volume.
3.) Trickle charge all batteries to maximum according to manufacturers recommendation...
4.) Leave headlights on until they go dark, dead. (timed and video taped).
5.) A variety of battery tests using a digital multimeter.
6.) Insert anything you want here.
7.) Insert more... I have the time

..I think you have too much time,found a RED BOX near your house and rent all the movies at 1 time

lol, yeah I definitely have too much time, procrastinating cause I don't want to figure out my oil leak, it is gonna get ugly, I know it

 

[dspan]

X2 on re-inventing the wheel.

I run a MotorMaster Eliminator (Canadian Tire house brand) with a 9 year full replacement warrantee and 27 year pro-rated. It's 800 or 900 CCA.

I find that the 8274 is hard on them, probably on all batterys. I am considering a second battery in the truck.

The battery has never failed me on cold (-30C) mornings.

9 years? Seriously?

 

[Brian in Oregon]

2 red-top optimas and will never buy one again.

Once they discharge you are ski-rood

going to try Interstate next.

My FJ40 has a slow drain that will kill a battery in about a week. I've put off using the kill switch thinking I'd be driving it in a day or two, then forgetting it. The Optima red top battery has been drained dozens of times in the six years I've had it without any problems. Hot charge it for half a day and good to go.

 

[bj40green]

There are 2 kind of batteries. Starter batteries and traction batteries.
With traction batteries I mean the ones that are used for emergency lightning, wheelchairs, forklifts et cetera. I think you call them deep cycle batteries?
Starter batteries are able to provide a HUGE amount of amps for a SHORT time. That's what they are designed for.
Traction batteries are able to provide a constant amount of amps for a LONG time. That's also what they are designed for.
So don't be surprised when you test a starter battery with a Warn winch and the battery gives up after a short time. That battery is not made for it.
You need 2 batteries for running a truck with a winch. One for starting and one for winching. When the winching one dies you can always start your truck with the other one.

Just my 0.02C

Rudi

 

[bikersmurf]

The best battery I've had was a 31P series battery from the local truck shop. I believe it was an Interstate Battery... 1050 CCA and 210 minute reserve capacity. After I spun a rod bearing (engine was dead), I winched a 45 cab attached to a frame arround the yard for 1/2 an hour without noticing a significant loss of winch power.

 

[My71FJ40]

I use the Ion-Lithiom battery...Oh wait, no the chevy volt does and look how well they are doing We get your point on trying to find a good battery, but take it down a few notches there mr. scientist. The Optima's use to be a great battery but are now made in Mexico and quality is hit n miss now. Good luck on your search...

 

[Bret]

So far the DieHard Platinums have done the best. Red tops have died slowly to the point they won't turn my 6.0 or 5.9 dsl over quick enough to start easy. My Yellow tops just died suddenly. All 3 vehicles with dual batteries wired in parallel. Yellow tops died at around 3.5 years in my FJ40 w/SBC. Red tops are 4-ish years old. Time will tell for the long term on the Die Hards but so far so good.

 

[1911]

Time will tell for the long term on the Die Hards but so far so good.

My current favorite also (Odyssey or Platinum Die-Hard, re-badged Odyssey). I've got three of them in two different trucks with winches and lots of other electronic goodies, been working great for several years now but as you say, time will tell.

 

[UZJ40]

My current favorite also (Odyssey or Platinum Die-Hard, re-badged Odyssey). I've got three of them in two different trucks with winches and lots of other electronic goodies, been working great for several years now but as you say, time will tell.

x2 on the Odyssey's

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Group 31 Diehard Platinum or Odyssey.

Done. The only hard parts are fitting it in the truck, and lifting that monster.

I believe Source3 here drove his 40 for a few months on one, before realizing we had forgotten to plug in his alternator. Seriously.

It will start our 3B cold about 15 times if the alternator isn't working, safely. Probably good for more than that, but I didn't push it that far.

The optimas were the king of the heap, but DHP/Odyssey wins the cost/power test today.

Dan