Need help picking a new battery

[trdcorolla]

Welp, I should have done some more reading. As most of you probably know the H8 isn't a drop in fit. I thought I would need a shim for the hold down, but I didn't anticipate the plastic tray being too small as well. For now I just removed the tray and set it on the metal, and I'm using a piece of wood as a shim.

I'll go looking up threads to see other people's solutions. Slee tray I imagine. But if you happen to have another suggestion I'm open to ideas.

Anyone know if the hold down for the Slee tray works with H8 size or if I'll still need a shim of some sort?

When my 27F needs replacing, i'm going to try a AGM H8 with this spacer:

Spacer for Group 34 Batteries | ODYSSEY® Battery

Looking for a Spacer for Group 34 Batteries? Buy it online at OdysseyBattery.com - the official manfacturer's website. Whether it's a battery for your car, boat, RV, a powersports battery or a heavy duty / commercial application battery - powerful performance starts here!

shop.odysseybattery.com

I mentioned Sams Club and Napa AGM H8's in an earlier post because they are stocked there all the time. None of the 6 Walmart's by me can keep the H8 AGM in stock so i'm going to avoid them for warranty purposes. I do use the Walmart 24F AGM in my wife's DD, Walmart always has 24F's AGM's in stock.

 

[Qtonic]

That spacer looks interesting. It appears the width/depth dimension of H8/49 may be about 1/16 inch greater than group 34. The interface on the bottom may be different too. So I'm not sure it will snap on to an H8, nor whether the height will end up right, but I might give it a shot.

Have you read any reports of it used for this application?

 

[trdcorolla]

Don't know if anyone has tried it yet. I recently bought it for future use. It looks like you have to cut off the locking snaps and just use it as a spacer like a piece of wood.

 

[DanInDenver]

My experience with the Battery Plus X2 Power AGM in 27F size. I have replaced two in the last 3 years. After the second one this past spring I also replaced the alternator. When it starting going dead I put in a Duracell 27f (3yr warranty)
Battery Plus did me a huge favor in honoring the warranty and giving me a 3rd battery under warranty. So far 3 weeks with the Duracell and no problems. I did check for draws and found none. Did not check what the output of my alternator is as I am unsure on how to do this. Battery Plus did say I should be sure with the X2 that the alternator puts out at least 10 amps.

 

[jtb517]

I’ve always had good luck with Interstate batteries, but I’ve never lived in that cold of a climate.
I bought my last two batteries direct from the local Interstate distribution center in town and they gave me a sizeable discount off MSRP.

 

[menancyandsam]

Has anybody tried the H8 (group 49) AGM size. About 1/2 the price of the high end X2 Power & the specs are just a little less.
If so, do you recommend it? and what type of spacer is needed?

 

[geanes]

Has anybody tried the H8 (group 49) AGM size. About 1/2 the price of the high end X2 Power & the specs are just a little less.
If so, do you recommend it? and what type of spacer is needed?

Strongly considering the Group 49 AGM from NAPA. I've been using the Napa Legend75 Group 49 "standard" battery for 3 years and have been very happy. My rig is parked outside ALL the time in Texas heat and it's held up very well. My Group49 lists as having 180 reserve capacity. If my calculations are correct, that equates to roughly 75Ah. (180x60x25/3600=75). The AGM equivalent lists at 92Ah. More is better, right? As for fit, my 49 Series is WIDE, but it's low. It fits right in. I simply folded the 2 "handles" over the center under the factory tie down bracket. It holds tight and the battery doesn't move a single mm even on hard, rocky trails. Zero mods required to make it fit. $204.99 for the NAPA Legend75 Series 49 AGM battery is VERY enticing.

 

[Pyrenees]

I got a Bosch 27F last year at the same time I replaced the alternator brushes. I think it was $110 or so, and came with a 3-year replacement guarantee (and something like a 90 month prorated). That was good enough to convince me.

No issues whatsoever, over six months later. I know it's not a long timeframe, but it's been a good battery so far.

 

[ticoman]

Here in Central america, regular lead acid batteries only last 2 years at most. The heat, and terrible roads shake them apart. I buy Optima red top 900 ca batteries that last me 5 years before I replace them They are available at our version of Costco (Pricesmart) and cost about $220 apiece. The jungle is a s***ty place to have a dead battery.

 

[87warrior]

That spacer looks interesting. It appears the width/depth dimension of H8/49 may be about 1/16 inch greater than group 34. The interface on the bottom may be different too. So I'm not sure it will snap on to an H8, nor whether the height will end up right, but I might give it a shot.

Have you read any reports of it used for this application?

I bought a similar spacer to use with my H7 (same size of an H8, just a little shorter) and the spacer did not snap onto the battery. It was slightly too small. I cut the tabs designed to snap onto the battery off of the spacer and simply set the battery on top of the spacer. The spacer did raise the battery up enough the hold down would sit flat across the top.

The H7 is mounted rock solid.

*The OEM battery hold down will work with the H7/H8. I chose to use the Slee hold down since the OEM was rusty. They are dimensionally the same size.