Group 27 AGM CCA

[FJBen]

I’ve been doing some research form my next battery for my BJ74. I’m 12v but have a dual battery setup with an older red arc.

Currently have an everstart maxx, my
2nd one, in 3.5 years and it’s dead 2. Warranty over since replaced and I’m highly unimpressed with the 810cca allegedly.

Either way I’m skipping that battery again and going AGM as I think it deals better with the diesel vibrations. I’ve found a few batteries but only one with this high a CCA (I live in Colorado, it gets cold)

X2 Power - 930cca 90ah, $394
Odyssey performance - 850cca, 85ah $380
Odyssey extreme - 930cca, 92ah $433

Are there others I should be focusing on with higher CCA? I’ve heard optima quality dropped…which is crazy as I have really old red top as my secondary batter temporarily…that won’t die.

I currently don’t have a block heater or anything, and when it’s well below zero, I usually just let it sit, but occasionally i do need to use it, and jumping is a pain if my battery sucks. My first maxx did OK to about -5F, then sucked and then my next one struggles at 0.

Pictures because everyone likes pictures.

 

[gnob]

running an odyssey extreme 34/78
has been solid.
prior was deka intimidator also solid 10 years.
also had a die hard platinum at one point but didn't own it long enough to judge.

the og optimas were awesome but quality has been shyt for 20+ years now ymmv.
i personally saw several drop cells for no reason.

 

[FJBen]

running an odyssey extreme 34/78
has been solid.
prior was deka intimidator also solid 10 years.
also had a die hard platinum at one point but didn't own it long enough to judge.

the og optimas were awesome but quality has been shyt for 20+ years now ymmv.
i personally saw several drop cells for no reason.

I had a couple Deka (non intimidator) and they held up well. It seems the Intimidator only has like 580cca which seems way too low for my usage…misprint?

My red top is from 2015…it was in farm vehicles and moved around then came to me with a crappy 4wheeler my mom brought
It still won’t die but I’ve heard stay away.

 

[gnob]

I had a couple Deka (non intimidator) and they held up well. It seems the Intimidator only has like 580cca which seems way too low for my usage…misprint?

My red top is from 2015…it was in farm vehicles and moved around then came to me with a crappy 4wheeler my mom brought
It still won’t die but I’ve heard stay away.

not sure on the cca. items on this page look like what you're after. east penn only showing deep cycle intimidators.

Deka AGM Batteries | Wholesale Batteries

www.wholesalebatteries.net

 

[TreadingLight]

I use x2power group 27m batteries (m is for the extra marine terminals - very handy).

 

[peesalot]

I have the X2 as well, got from Sears before they went out of business. I did not get the Odyssey because I wanted one local to avoid shipping and all the Odyssey batts were really old stock, I tried Batteries Plus, paid 375 dollars each for 2 of their batts they said were comp to the X2, 1 is fine, 1 split the case & Batt Plus said get ****ed, that company can eat a bowl of dicks. I like blue top optimas as well.

 

[spressomon]

Getting 10+ years out of my Odyssey batteries. The key to getting longer life from AGM batteries, Odyssey included, is keeping them on a suitable charger when the rig is parked.

 

[FJBen]

I have the X2 as well, got from Sears before they went out of business. I did not get the Odyssey because I wanted one local to avoid shipping and all the Odyssey batts were really old stock, I tried Batteries Plus, paid 375 dollars each for 2 of their batts they said were comp to the X2, 1 is fine, 1 split the case & Batt Plus said get ****ed, that company can eat a bowl of dicks. I like blue top optimas as well.

Yeah part of me thinks about the odyssey because Napa carries them and they are closest to me and rural. I would only get the X2 line not batteries plus brand…sounds like the x2 has 4 year free replacement

 

[peesalot]

If your Napa has fresh stock odyssey that'd be the way I'd go. What supressermon said, keep a solar on it

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

AGMs are pure trash these days. I refuse to install one on our builds. I take a pallet of them to the local recycler every couple of months.

Odyssey and Optima are the worst offenders.

Land Cruiser alternator charge output on many vehicles is less than (up to 1 volt) what a AGM needs to charge with the new design requirements. After they have dropped below 70% a few times they wont take a charge anymore.

Local Odyssey supplier said the wrong charger was used and I show them the 40AMP Odyssey 3x charger I have and they seriously disappear and make no other replies... SCANDALOUS PRICKS!

 

[TreadingLight]

I've never had issues with agm batteries, Although I've heard stories about optimas failing prematurely.

Edit: ive been running the x2power agm and the old sears diehard platinum agm since 2011.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

I too have a beef with Battery Systems, had a warranty claim on a Odyssey AGM Group 27F (that cost well over $300 in 2021) six months after purchase that they refused to honor. Won't spend any money on their products in the future.

Currently am running a NAPA brand Group 49 AGM in my UZJ100 with fingers crossed. Did install the Aussie diode to increase alternator output to suit AGM needs. The cost of the NAPA AGM battery was in the low $200 range when purchased in 2022.

 

[peesalot]

I still like the ole Sears P2, good battery and some how there seems to always be an optima under the hood in the aux batt location.

 

[dogdaysindurham]

I used to run the Sears Diehard Platinum AGM, but now have switched to the Batteries Plus X2Power AGMs. These have been working well for me. The warranty is 4 years prorated.

I have the alternator voltage booster (ALT-S fuse) and have solar MPPT charger that keeps both them topped off (250 watts). Before the solar MPPT a was once a month using a 20A Odyssey Charger. That seem to prolong the life of the AGMs.

I agree the stock alternator does a poor job of keeping them charged.

 

[peesalot]

Batteries Plus is a bunch of scammers. I got 2 X2's for the 40, mounted 1 on its side, next morning black goo all down inner fender, wtf, take it to BP and the tech calls in for warranty & the company says, there is no black substance in our battery & I was out 380 bucks, it was 2 days since purchase. BP is crap, their batteries are crap, relabeled, recycled batteries from who knows where. 100% garbage.

 

[dogdaysindurham]

@peesalot that is a bummer about your experience with BatteriesPlus. What did you end up replacing them with? AGMs shouldn’t spill when placed on the side.

I haven’t had any issues with the 2 Group 65s I have in my 100 series. One is coming up on 5 years of service.

My understanding is that are rebadged East Penn / Deka Batteries.

 

[peesalot]

I am not sure what it was & I agree haven't had any other brand agm do that, it was clearly seeping from case, you could wipe it, and see it reoccur in front of your eyes and they still wouldnt warranty it, I asked the store to offer me something & they gave me the middle finger, that was the Santa Rosa, CA store. I still run the other 1 and an optima blue, I have 100w panel and don't really pay much attention other than looking at the voltage read on fridge occasionally.

 

[TreadingLight]

I would have expected them to simply honor the prorated warranty based on the battery function. Black gunk or not if the battery failed testing they should have handled it under warranty.

Continuing to gave them the benefit of the doubt I am sure there are some exclusions. Did they give an explanation for denying the warranty claim?

My experience has been different. I had an x2 agm that I abused to the point it didn't charge fully and they warranted it without issue.

 

[SmoothLC]

I went from DH Platinum to X2 Power and now using an Odyssey.

I had to replace the X2 Power on the last month of its warranty and BP couldn't get another one so gave me an Odyssey.

No problems really with any of them.

 

[SmoothLC]

Getting 10+ years out of my Odyssey batteries. The key to getting longer life from AGM batteries, Odyssey included, is keeping them on a suitable charger when the rig is parked.

Interested in what charger you use on the Odyssey @spressomon. And do you literally put it on all the time when parked?