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Black Rhino 13

Black Rhino 13

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Aug 10, 2010
Threads
37
Messages
784
Location
Lansing, MI
Hey all,

I recently heard about how Optimas have changed where they're manufactured and are not as consistent as they used to be. Even Sears confirmed this, as well as Batteries Plus. I heard the Odyssey batteries are the cutting edge of quality and technology but very expensive. The smart choice for a top of the line battery seems to be Sears Die Hard Platinum which are apparently re-badged Odysseys for nearly $100 less. It's the same AGM technology as Orbitals but with more surface area = more power and somehow better reliability. This is just my layman's understanding.

So, I was in Sears last Sunday night for something and the guy mentioned batteries were 10% off for a few hours. So, I went ahead and bought a Group 34 battery knowing I was going to do a dual battery setup very soon and wasn't worried about this one fitting the stock location. I was, however, able to install it in the factory location, driver's side, by flipping pos/neg location and unclipping the positive side frame tie downs. I was able to secure the ground to some metal screw in the engine next to the battery. I still need to drill out the hole in the ground enough to fit around that screw but it's secure for a few days.

I went by the local Batteries Plus store yesterday and the guy didn't believe my Platinum battery would be as good as an Odyssey even though the basic specs were the same. We went outside to check it out and he said: "Sir, it seems to me that what you have is an Odyssey battery for less than I can get one at wholesale. I'd go back to Sears and buy another one for your second battery if I were you. Don't tell anyone." :p

Anyway, my point was that once every month Sears has a sale called "Family and Friends". It's on one Sunday usually in the middle of the month, and batteries are 10% off. Other departments have different sales. The date for April hasn't come out yet but it will very soon.

I plan to go back in April and buy my second group 34 Platinum for my dual battery setup (which I'm working on).

Hope this helps.
 
I'm sure someone will reply with more technical info but my understanding about the AGM batteries is that they're good for around 10 years. But, there are many advantages to them and that's why they cost $200-$300 each. They're basically bullet proof, in fact they're milspec batteries but not literally bullet-proof. They are zero-maintenance, spill proof, vibration proof, etc... They provide tons of power, tons of reliability, and are used by solar companies, the military/aviation, arctic operations, etc...

For normal use, a normal battery for an LC is fine. 450 CCA in a typical lead acid battery will do the job for years and years for under $100 I think. It's when you want the very last word in quality and reliability that you go for AGM. That's why so many 'Mudders are putting them in with dual battery systems. People who are going to remote places, in more extreme weather, putting serious above-normal loads on their batteries like with winches, lights, stereos, fridges, etc... want something they don't have to worry about. Odyssey is the primary manufacturer. Slee sells these in his shop. But, Sears Die Hard Platinum is the same thing for $200 or less. It's a bargain for the peace of mind you get, if you need it.

Hope this is a relevant response. I looked on the Interstate site and they only seemed to sell traditional batteries and Optimas. And (new) Optimas have fallen out of favor as far as I can tell. Optimas are apparently hit or miss these days, ask any battery salesman or search on Mud. They are less than Odyssey but not much less than the Sears version of the Odyssey, hence the popularity here.
 
When I was doing research on batteries about 2 years ago, I did come to the conclusion that the sears diehard platinums were the same as the odysseys -- the best of the best.

I bought one, but sears could not install it so they gave my money back. I ended up buying a Costco Kirkland group 65 battery for about $75 and installed it myself (adjusted cables myself).

However, if you are going far away from civilization, then a sears diehard platinum is the way to go.
 
I've had several confirmations that the Die Hard Platinums are just relabeled Odysseys. It's like Kenmore, the company that only makes Kenmore nameplates, not actual products.

I'll be happy to post it but the info comes out with the Sears flyers apparently. You can easily call the local Sears Automotive section and ask, it's not a secret. The guy said it should either be April 10th or 17th, Sunday evening after 5 P.M. It's a pretty small window, but it's worth $20 or so off each battery. Make sure you check to see because my Auto section closes an hour before the regular store and sometimes they even go home early if it's not busy. I'd be there at 5 P.M.
 
I've left several accessories on for hours in my 80 with a Die Hard Platinum battery and it always starts up fast as always.

So far after a year I still recommend it completely.
 
HomersCanyonero said:
When I was doing research on batteries about 2 years ago, I did come to the conclusion that the sears diehard platinums were the same as the odysseys -- the best of the best.

I bought one, but sears could not install it so they gave my money back. I ended up buying a Costco Kirkland group 65 battery for about $75 and installed it myself (adjusted cables myself).

However, if you are going far away from civilization, then a sears diehard platinum is the way to go.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's hard to argue with 850cca and Costco's unbeatable warranty for $75.
 
I went into my local Costco and they didn't know what I was talking about with non-orbital/Optima AGM batteries. Maybe Costco in bigger cities carries an AGM battery other than Optima. Any AGM battery is going to be around $200 or more. If the battery is $75, it's a wet lead acid battery.

Die Hard Platinum comes with a 4 year free replacement and 100 month (8 years, 4 months) prorated replacement warranty.

I noticed that Sears online has this at $215, but my local sears stocks it at $200. I like that if my alternator goes I can still get many miles back to civilization with one of these. Having two is just further backup.

Here's from the Group 34 I bought:

Product Description

The P-1 Platinum Automotive Battery from DieHard features 135 minutes of reserve capacity and 880 cold cranking amps. Its corrosion-resistant high quality tin-coated brass terminals provide reliable starting power in all weather conditions. Its rugged, military-grade construction features robust casing for increased compression and offers superior vibration resistance, making it ideal for off-road applications.

Longer off-season storage time - show cars & classic cars
Ideal for luxury vehicles with multiple electronic accessories
Plates made of 99.99% pure virgin lead
High purity grade acid held safely in place by glass mats; non-spillable design
Absorbed Glass Mat construction provides mounting flexibility & guarantees longer service life
4-Year Free Replacement; 100-Month Prorated Limited Warranty
 
I have the platinums in two of three of my vehicles, the only reason I don't have one in the third is because they don't make one in that size. That said, I did have my marine diehard platinum second battery just crap out. After a full charge, it will be empty (10%) after 24 hours. Took it out of the 80, dropped it off to Sears and they replaced it after running a test on it. The guys there were pretty amazed to see one come back, asking what it is used for and such. Well worth the cost for those who venture beyond malls and such...
 
FYI,
Enersys is the parent company of Odyssey. They have had a dealer agreement with Sears since 2007 to market under the Sears DieHard Platinum badge.
Same battery made at the same factory to the same specifications with a different color outer shell.

There's one in my truck right now.
 
Moody said:
I have the platinums in two of three of my vehicles, the only reason I don't have one in the third is because they don't make one in that size. That said, I did have my marine diehard platinum second battery just crap out. After a full charge, it will be empty (10%) after 24 hours. Took it out of the 80, dropped it off to Sears and they replaced it after running a test on it. The guys there were pretty amazed to see one come back, asking what it is used for and such. Well worth the cost for those who venture beyond malls and such...
Click to expand...

by any chance was this battery located in the aux batt spot and what dual batt system are you running?
 
mickeyt said:
Great to know so I go to Sears nd ask for AMG battery? Any other details I should ask for? Very informative, thanks.
Click to expand...

You're welcome! If you go into a Sears automotive section, the Platinum batteries really stand out, both in color and price. Die Hard Platinum are AGM batteries. The Gold batteries are regular type. I forget which model or size is stock for the LC but you can put any battery in the car as far as I know as long as it fits. Some people like to modify the battery tray to fit the larger and more powerful Group 31. I went with the Group 34 because it was an easy fit but it had many more CCA than whatever they had as a stock fit. I went from a stock 450 CCA wet lead acid battery to an 880 CCA Group 34 AGM.

Putting the Group 34 battery in my stock location was no problem. I just used the battery with it's reverse pos/neg posts toward the firewall - so pos/neg terminals/cables were pulled out of the holes in the battery tray and moved to opposite sides. Once I severed the positive cable tie down near the base of the battery tray, the pos connector went in and on fine. I got the neg terminal post on just fine after I removed the frame grounding bolt/cable from the inner fender beside the battery. I ended up just pinching it down temporarily between a screw/bolt and metal bracket just behind the battery tray. I still need to enlarge the hole on the negative frame ground cable so I can put that screw/bolt through it into the metal bracket which connects to the frame. There are many options for this but I'm going the simple route and will just use a drill to enlarge the simple metal loop and use an existing bolt and bracket.
 
Last edited:
alia176 said:
by any chance was this battery located in the aux batt spot and what dual batt system are you running?
Click to expand...

Yes, it was my aux. battery, I am running the National Luna kit. I am going to try out the IBS system for the 4runner (ordering this week).

Please elaborate...
 
I bought two group 31 Sears Platinum batteries last year - one year later the battery in the starting position is dead - Sears after a quick test replaced it no questions asked.

Within that year of very light use - I dont think these batteries are all that ;)
 
Moody said:
Yes, it was my aux. battery, I am running the National Luna kit. I am going to try out the IBS system for the 4runner (ordering this week).

Please elaborate...
Click to expand...

We should probably start a new thread on this particular topic.

My aux battery died after two years of use but not abuse. My dual batt system is the Wrangler system which uses a 200 amp solenoid, pretty simple but effective. Thinking out loud, I wonder if the dual batt charging system contributed to the demise of my aux battery. My symptoms were battery voltage at 10 volts even after a proper charge (on vehicle or off vehicle). I guess I dropped a cell?

It'd be interesting to start a poll on this.
 
Interesting...Prior to the Sears battery, I had a standard Marine deep cycle from Costco. It crapped out after about 11 months, and then I replaced it with another, only to have it crap out at about 18 months. After the second battery I changed to the Sears DHP. It would be interesting to collect some data on it.
 
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