I recently bought a new battery for my cruiser and went back and forth. I was fully prepared to spend the $$$ for the DieHard platinum, and even the additional $$ for the 31M. I don't have a winch or aux. lights, but I don't mind paying for a reliable battery and you can't have too much reserve capacity. There has been too much negative posted about Optimas for me to be comfortable with them.
Before heading to Sears, I went by the nearby Interstate distributor as they are generally cheaper than stores. I know they sell Interstate, Optima, Yuasa, and some others. Had a decent discussion with one of the guys there and ended up with a commercial grade Interstate 31 (950cca, 190 minutes reserve, non-AGM) for about $120. We'll see if the purchase was wise.
Anyway, although he runs an Optima in his Jeep he stated Optimas have always had a higher return rate than other batteries. (Note, this guy makes the same whether he sells me a battery or not). Obviously he had no hard numbers, just personal/professional experience, but he believed it was more due to the applications in which optimas are run more so than manufacturing defects. I could certainly see that being the case - someone thinking that because they have an optima they can continually run it down. He also stated he believed the the yellow and reds may be the same battery - just with different warranties to reflect how they will be run. Again, no hard facts, just what he has seen when the yellows came out. We didn't discuss the blues.
Now, why did I end up with the battery I did? Well, obviously I liked the capacity of a group 31. And although AGMs are more shock resistant, the battery I bought is supposed to be constructed in such a way as to stabilize the plates inside (will see). At this point, without too many accessories, I am not too concerned about it being deep cycle or not. He also had a group 31 battery that was used for wheelchairs. I assumed it was deep cycle, but it was a bit too much out of the norm for me to experiment with. I assume it likely was lacking in CCAs, but probably held up well to discharging.
I only point this out because there are obviously many battery choices out there. The DieHard31M/OddessyPC2150 may very well be the Holy Grail (or at least one half of it). I think you will find far less negative about them than Optimas. But that doesn't mean you need that battery - but it can be done (as shown by many here who treaded on that ice before us). If this battery holds up well, it might be a good compromise between a $75 cheap battery and the $250 DieHard.
By the way, to fit the Interstate 31, I needed to dremel a small part of the one corner of the battery box that rises up (drivers side rear of the box), used 8" j-bolts from the local parts store (which needed to be shortened a bit more on the DS), and made a hold down bracket like unwiredadventures' in post #13 ($3 of aluminum at Lowes). I also used plasticoat spray on the aluminum. It's REALLY tight, but it fits.
Before heading to Sears, I went by the nearby Interstate distributor as they are generally cheaper than stores. I know they sell Interstate, Optima, Yuasa, and some others. Had a decent discussion with one of the guys there and ended up with a commercial grade Interstate 31 (950cca, 190 minutes reserve, non-AGM) for about $120. We'll see if the purchase was wise.
Anyway, although he runs an Optima in his Jeep he stated Optimas have always had a higher return rate than other batteries. (Note, this guy makes the same whether he sells me a battery or not). Obviously he had no hard numbers, just personal/professional experience, but he believed it was more due to the applications in which optimas are run more so than manufacturing defects. I could certainly see that being the case - someone thinking that because they have an optima they can continually run it down. He also stated he believed the the yellow and reds may be the same battery - just with different warranties to reflect how they will be run. Again, no hard facts, just what he has seen when the yellows came out. We didn't discuss the blues.
Now, why did I end up with the battery I did? Well, obviously I liked the capacity of a group 31. And although AGMs are more shock resistant, the battery I bought is supposed to be constructed in such a way as to stabilize the plates inside (will see). At this point, without too many accessories, I am not too concerned about it being deep cycle or not. He also had a group 31 battery that was used for wheelchairs. I assumed it was deep cycle, but it was a bit too much out of the norm for me to experiment with. I assume it likely was lacking in CCAs, but probably held up well to discharging.
I only point this out because there are obviously many battery choices out there. The DieHard31M/OddessyPC2150 may very well be the Holy Grail (or at least one half of it). I think you will find far less negative about them than Optimas. But that doesn't mean you need that battery - but it can be done (as shown by many here who treaded on that ice before us). If this battery holds up well, it might be a good compromise between a $75 cheap battery and the $250 DieHard.
By the way, to fit the Interstate 31, I needed to dremel a small part of the one corner of the battery box that rises up (drivers side rear of the box), used 8" j-bolts from the local parts store (which needed to be shortened a bit more on the DS), and made a hold down bracket like unwiredadventures' in post #13 ($3 of aluminum at Lowes). I also used plasticoat spray on the aluminum. It's REALLY tight, but it fits.
