I did search, and the blue top pops up. I found I can use a group 31, the 24 is the OE size. Diehard used to make the best but they discontinued them. What are my options now?
I searched, but the answer still eludes. Best aux battery for the FZJ80 for today.
- Thread starter The Raven
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Best is a relative term. In this thread there is an ongoing discussion of AGM vs flooded. I myself just purchased two marine/RV group 27 batteries ($79.99 each) for my 1996 FZJ80 as they are the largest I can fit in the stock mounts. I tried to fit a group 31 but it would have required modifications. AGM vs flooded for a aux battery I would stay away from Optima batteries. Costco is now selling Interstate batteries at good prices. I suspect you are looking for a good deep cycle battery which are hard to find in true form. Marine/RV batteries will be the closest available. The longevity of whatever battery you buy will depend more on how well it is cared for than who manufactured it.
AGMs have a few more cranking amps.. which isn't important for an aux battery, cost at least twice as much, can charge a bit faster, which isn't relative to alternator charging, don't last twice as long, have a little higher supply voltage which is nice, and are damaged by the heat inside the hot engine compartment while charging... That's why they don't last as long as they "should".
My favorite is wet cell group 27. Deep cycle for 2nd aux batt.
If batteries are used a lot and discharged deep, none of them last long.
Don't buy "the best", just a good one. You'll be replacing it soon enough as it is regardless.
My favorite is wet cell group 27. Deep cycle for 2nd aux batt.
If batteries are used a lot and discharged deep, none of them last long.
Don't buy "the best", just a good one. You'll be replacing it soon enough as it is regardless.
My Odyssey is still holding up after 5 yrs. Knock on wood.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Buy a flooded cell group 27 battery. Marine/Deep Cycle will work well for you.
I agree that the Interstates (Made by Johnson Controls) at Costco are a good price and a good enough battery. I have 6 of them in use right now! You can't beat the $80 price for a 100 amp-hour battery.
My next aux battery will be a group 31 Deka DC31 from Lowes. It looks like the real deal, decent price etc. It may or may not fit but I'm going to find out.
AGM batteries should be better but in practice, they aren't. On the solar forums they say this about AGM in mobile installs like ours: "Cost twice as much, last half as long". My Optima experience confirms this.
With that said, with a flooded deep cycle battery, you have to check the electrolyte level 3-4 times per year and replace with distilled water. If you can't do that, get an AGM.
I've gone full cycle on batteries. Normal batteries to AGMs, and back again. All batteries go bad. AGMs don't last longer. Expensive brand names don't last longer. So it's reasonable to get the ones that are decent and cheap.
And if you really want batteries to last, keep them fully and continuously charged. Get a BatteryMinder and plug them in. That's the secret to long lasting batteries.
I agree that the Interstates (Made by Johnson Controls) at Costco are a good price and a good enough battery. I have 6 of them in use right now! You can't beat the $80 price for a 100 amp-hour battery.
My next aux battery will be a group 31 Deka DC31 from Lowes. It looks like the real deal, decent price etc. It may or may not fit but I'm going to find out.
AGM batteries should be better but in practice, they aren't. On the solar forums they say this about AGM in mobile installs like ours: "Cost twice as much, last half as long". My Optima experience confirms this.
With that said, with a flooded deep cycle battery, you have to check the electrolyte level 3-4 times per year and replace with distilled water. If you can't do that, get an AGM.
I've gone full cycle on batteries. Normal batteries to AGMs, and back again. All batteries go bad. AGMs don't last longer. Expensive brand names don't last longer. So it's reasonable to get the ones that are decent and cheap.
And if you really want batteries to last, keep them fully and continuously charged. Get a BatteryMinder and plug them in. That's the secret to long lasting batteries.
gofast
SILVER Star
I've been running a delco no maintenance deep cycle aux battery type 27 that cost me around a hundred. Been running it for four years and drained it to flat three times. Its still in the truck working fine.
Just got back from a four day trip running my camp lighting, fridge and inverter. No issues
Just got back from a four day trip running my camp lighting, fridge and inverter. No issues
For my 2nd battery I went with a West Marine dual purpose group 27. It says its made in the USA, was "only" $150 and seemed like a good all around battery.
1973Guppie
Supporting Vendor
costco, get the largest deep cycle rv batt they have.......optimas are junk, don't buy one.
The marine group 27 I got from Costco is 160ah with 80ah usable(50% discharge).
In my diesel van I needed agm so I could mount sideways. I bought two Optima red tops 5 years ago and they have been great though they do not get taxed at all. Mounted outside the engine bay so they don't get hot and everything behind the driver seat runs off my house battery system. That said, I dont see any reason not to get my next set of batteries for the cruiser at Costco
Hornd
SILVER Star
Costco....Interstate, same as the other 10 ppl who have already replied.
Thou warranty has changed it's still decent (prorated for 5 yrs.....I think)
Oil, Batteries, and Tires get beat to death around here.
I guess it's slightly better than talking politics.
Thou warranty has changed it's still decent (prorated for 5 yrs.....I think)
Oil, Batteries, and Tires get beat to death around here.
I guess it's slightly better than talking politics.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
That has to be "reserve capacity" which is different.
Just based on size, a Grp 27 will be 90-100 amp-hours max.
LS1FJ40
SILVER Star
Hornd
SILVER Star
I'm just waiting for @beno to chime in with "For f$&#s sake! Do a google search! Yes, I'm the a******. This topic has been beaten to death!"
Beno is a little sour lately.
Give him some time & space and I'm sure he will improve.
Maybe he just needs some time with his truck, a campfire, and some beers.
Dealing with the Public will wear you down.
Like our trucks we must take care of the Legends!
LS1FJ40
SILVER Star
Oh Onur knows I'm just messing with him.
Now you guilted me. I suppose I should order my front bushings and give him more of my money...
- Thread starter
- #16
OK, good to know I'm hoping to do a lot of several day boondocking. Guess I should put the money towards a good solar setup rather than a $300 battery
$99 900w tiny generator from Harbor Fright goes a long way for the money. If only they made a model that output 13.5v dc vs 120v ac.
- Thread starter
- #18
No thanks...Nothing worse than hearing a generator in the great outdoors.
I'm just waiting for @beno to chime in with "For f$&#s sake! Do a google search! Yes, I'm the a******. This topic has been beaten to death!"
It's not over till I chime in.
Interstate from Costco is what I got.
Less than 2 years later It simply died. But!!! Costco replaced it, no questions asked.
I think jtwopark or ewillis had a similar experience.
Maybe we got a bad batch, or who knows... the 3 weeks I had the truck inside the garage while on vacation had something to do with it. Although it started right up when I returned.
You only have to run it an hour or less to charge the batteries. Much smaller and compact with usable power vs solar.
