SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day (8 Viewers)

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New SQOD, what is the correct battery size for a 2013 LC? No immediate plans for a dual battery setup, but is it common (or feasible) to go larger then the factory spec size?

Thanks,
Dave
 
Here is a stupid one....

I recently repaired the damper door for the cabin filter, the previous owner or dealer must have tried to manually move the door to change the filter and broke it :doh:.

Well now that it functions normally is there a way to set it so it defaults to outside air when you turn the truck on?
 
Well now that it functions normally is there a way to set it so it defaults to outside air when you turn the truck on?

I haven't found one. If there is enough of a difference between outside and inside air temps, the system will automatically switch to recirc. If you then manually select outside air, the good news it will stay on outside air until you switch the truck off.

HTH
 
I haven't found one. If there is enough of a difference between outside and inside air temps, the system will automatically switch to recirc. If you then manually select outside air, the good news it will stay on outside air until you switch the truck off.

HTH

One of my little pet peeves about the truck. I always want fresh air (except when in dusty conditions) and the fact that a software engineer somewhere programmed it otherwise is irritating. Probably responding to concerns about system performance and efficiency, but I've not had any issues with fresh air being cool enough, even on a really hot day. And no freeze ups, even in humid Michigan
 
Factory is 27F in the US. Slee Offroad sells a kit to replace it with a group 31. They also make a kit to hold a group 35 on the passenger side.

I have the Slee primary kit sitting waiting to get installed, was thinking about upgrading since my current battery is a no-name generic of unknown age. The Slee kit specifically mentions the Interstate 31P-AGM7 battery, but I can't find any info on this, their website doesn't seem to list it. Is there an equivalent alternative? Or should I contact a local dealer?
 
I have the Slee primary kit sitting waiting to get installed, was thinking about upgrading since my current battery is a no-name generic of unknown age. The Slee kit specifically mentions the Interstate 31P-AGM7 battery, but I can't find any info on this, their website doesn't seem to list it. Is there an equivalent alternative? Or should I contact a local dealer?

You'll need to special order it from Interstate. You definitely want that battery, as Slee's main tray comes with the unique terminal adapters required for that battery. Battery is fantastic. Highly recommend. Do not substitute for a typical "type 31," as this battery is rather unique--specifically regarding terminal configuration.
 
I have the Slee primary kit sitting waiting to get installed, was thinking about upgrading since my current battery is a no-name generic of unknown age. The Slee kit specifically mentions the Interstate 31P-AGM7 battery, but I can't find any info on this, their website doesn't seem to list it. Is there an equivalent alternative? Or should I contact a local dealer?

Likely any group 31 would work, EDIT: Markuson knows way more than I do, listen to him :D But I swapped the OEM Panasonic in my 2013 with the ODYSSEY 31-PC2150:

IMG_5057.jpg


(I've since added terminal covers...)
 
If you install the Odyssey or other AGM battery, you should look into an Alternator Voltage Booster, or do what I did and solder a diode in line with the Alternator Sensing lead to fool the alternator into charging at a higher voltage.
 
$400 for a battery??? :eek:

Now I'm worried how much the Interstate is after all.

I got mine for about $300. They usually give 10% ($40) off for ordering online, and they had a larger rebate when I bought mine which is now $30. So, $70 off right now. It's a rebranded Northstar.
 
If you install the Odyssey or other AGM battery, you should look into an Alternator Voltage Booster, or do what I did and solder a diode in line with the Alternator Sensing lead to fool the alternator into charging at a higher voltage.

It's not the fact that it's AGM, it's the Odyssey. Those and the former Diehard Platinum 31 (a re-branded Odyssey) seem to have (had) special charging needs to stay healthy. The DHP31 failed often in the 100 LCs and I've had many fail in other applications due to inadequate charging. Other than the Odyssey, A properly operating alternator/charging system in an LC can handle either flooded or AGM (but not gel) lead-acid batteries just fine.

And I should add that I only have the information on this forum regarding issues with the Odyssey, no first hand experience like with the DHP31.
 
Likely any group 31 would work, EDIT: Markuson knows way more than I do, listen to him :D But I swapped the OEM Panasonic in my 2013 with the ODYSSEY 31-PC2150:

View attachment 1483337

(I've since added terminal covers...)

I'm no battery guru! I didn't mean to imply that that is the ONLY battery that will work. Just saying that there's a reason Slee includes the terminal extensions. It's a somewhat odd battery with terminals much farther in that typical batteries. Also, some 31s have reversed terminal locations...so it's a little strange.

It's also true that it's helpful to occasionally top off AGM batteries with an external charger such as this:

IMG_2054.JPG

IMG_2055.JPG


That little orange plug I'm holding is a terminal that Slee installed (in the Bubba build) in order to easily plug in the charger you see pictured here...in order to occasionally top off the battery at a higher-than-normal level. It's not like you have to do that all the time, but it's good for the battery. The charger also comes with typical jumper clamps you can plug into the smaller plug type in order to use on other batteries that don't have the plug attached...but the plug makes it quick and easy.
 
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I run a CTEK 250S in mine as a battery separator/charger/solar controller full time and it charges the 31 at 14.4 if the battery needs it either from the alternator or solar. The only potential downside is that there isn't a battery connector switch like the ACR or National Luna has. There is depending on placement of Ctek a very easy work around that requires no tools and takes less that a minute to combine the two batteries.
 
It's not the fact that it's AGM, it's the Odyssey. Those and the former Diehard Platinum 31 (a re-branded Odyssey) seem to have (had) special charging needs to stay healthy. The DHP31 failed often in the 100 LCs and I've had many fail in other applications due to inadequate charging. Other than the Odyssey, A properly operating alternator/charging system in an LC can handle either flooded or AGM (but not gel) lead-acid batteries just fine.

And I should add that I only have the information on this forum regarding issues with the Odyssey, no first hand experience like with the DHP31.

Odyssey and Northstar both specify charging voltages in the 14.1 to 14.7 range for their AGM offerings.
Optima says your alternator should put out between 14.0 and 14.8 volts.
Interstate doesn't give out much information on their site, but I couldn't find a dealer that sold their AGM batteries in my area.
I didn't research any other brands, but these three all specify at least 14.0 volts for their batteries.

My 2015 LC was putting out 13.6V at idle before I put in the diode to boost the voltage.
 
Here is a stupid one....

I recently repaired the damper door for the cabin filter, the previous owner or dealer must have tried to manually move the door to change the filter and broke it :doh:.

Well now that it functions normally is there a way to set it so it defaults to outside air when you turn the truck on?

One of my little pet peeves about the truck. I always want fresh air (except when in dusty conditions) and the fact that a software engineer somewhere programmed it otherwise is irritating. Probably responding to concerns about system performance and efficiency, but I've not had any issues with fresh air being cool enough, even on a really hot day. And no freeze ups, even in humid Michigan

It's under climate settings called "efficient climate mode" or something close to that. Sorry for not being super accurate, my 200 is a couple states over right now.
 

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