When is a beasty 31M battery worth it?

[Sandroad]

I found some information directly from Sears on their DHP Group 31M.


“To fully charge a Group 31M, a minimum of 30 amps are required with charge voltage within the range of 14.1V-14.7V. It is imperative not to exceed 15.0V during charging as this will cause damage to the battery and cause premature failure.”


"Open circuit voltage at 77F after disconnected and at rest for 6 hours."

12.84V = 100%

12.50V = 75%

12.18V = 50%

11.88V = 25%

 

[Pork Soda]

So @Hayes, did you use the stock tray, etc.? That's looking like a more attractive option. Have to sell the Slee tray (not yet installed) when I make the purchase, but . . .

 

[TexasCrane]

Actually if you get ahold of Torfab they make a dual battery tray that fits 2 batteries where the stock battery sits, it is pretty slick.

It is a pretty slick solution. It fits two group 34 batteries. The downside is that it requires cutting up some of the fuse box bracket so it isn't exactly a plug and play solution.

I may be going this direction with my dual battery install.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

I replaced my 31 Diehard with an Optima blue 31series today. Hopefully it will last longer than the Diehard. FYI- sears told me they have had an unusually high level of returns for the 31 Series marine battery and many stores no longer carry it.

 

[hoser]

I've been intrigued by the DC-to-DC CTEK. 250S paired with their Smartpass. It only charges at 14.4v but is a 5-stage charger, up to 80 amps when used together. It has a battery temp sensor for optimization.

If anybody is using it, please chime in.

CTEK D250S DUAL - CTEK Battery ChargersCTEK Battery Chargers

 

[benc]

I have 2 Diehard group 31s and neither will hold a charge! Both About a year old, pretty frustrating to say the least.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[TXLX100]

Any other series 31 size batteries that are more suited for the 100 series alternator and engine compartment? Mine is pretty lame.

I have a Sears 31 marine / RV battery, it's a bit cheaper at $140. Haven't had any issues with it and keeps my fridge running at least 24 hours. I did have to order a different size screw on terminal and fashion an extension for the positive side out of copper bar.

 

[fjfowdie]

Yep those batteries are crap, both mine failed and had a difficult time returning them. They do not carry these anymore so their "replacement" was the diehard gold that has half the CCA and half the rc. The terminals were about 2" further away so all my wiring had to be extended.. Very fustrating

 

[wngrog]

So, if I take this battery out and use it on a boat, it will be OK?

What is the best Series 31 out there for the 100 series alternator, Slee 31 tray and hot engine bay?

 

[SmoothLC]

I think that's the question. I tried to find the specs for the NorthStar batteries yesterday (charging), but not sure if I read the spec sheet right (edit: it looks like the AGMs require a minimum of 13.0v to fully charge).

OTOH - Sears has to be going out of business. From all the reports on the intrawebs (difficulty returning/exchanging merchandise, poor financials, etc.), it seems it is just a matter of time.

Is Sears Going Bankrupt?

 

[LTrain0800]

I have my DHP on the charger now because the truck barely started this morning. I'm not impressed with the battery in this application. I'm thinking about switching to the Sears 31 marine/RV battery referenced above.

Sent from my Nexus 7

 

[Sandroad]

The Sears DHP marine may not be ok for other applications either. I invested heavily in them for a solar-electric system and 7 of them have failed either under warranty or soon after the warranty. For a Group 31, I'm switching to the Duracell AGM and so far so good. (but the longest I've had one is 2 years and it's still fine).
http://www.driveduracell.com/assets/duracell/image/1686.pdf

 

[Brian Waag]

Update from my last post: Sadly, I've begun experiencing problems with the DH series 31 battery, and from reading the posts above, sounds like similar issues. For the past 3or 4 months, I've been getting the low battery voltage alarm on the DH 31. This originally occurred after the car sat for just a couple of days. Fast Forward to this past weekend where I drove 4 hours to meet up with some friends for a camp trip. Less than 24 hours later, the alarm came on. So when I got back home a few days later, I checked the voltage within 5 minutes of pulling in the driveway and voltage was 12.2 volts. Within 15 minutes it was 12.09 volts. I checked my auxiliary battery and it was reading 13.01 volts.

I put a clamp-on amp meter on all wires attached to the + terminal, one at a time, and no noticeable current draw. So, when I get back home from the Thanksgiving holiday, I will be going to Sears for an exchange. Long term, who knows??

 

[Sandroad]

I know from experience the DHP 31 has a 3 year warranty with full replacement. However, of course they will have to test it and that takes a while, including in my case, removing from the truck and placing it in a special containment cabinet while testing in case it blows up (!). As was explained to me.

 

[DanInDenver]

After alot of back and forth, I have the AHC so cant yet fit a second battery, but wanted the AGM. I went with a Group 27 AGM from batteries plus. Full replacement five year warranty, 930 CCA, Capacity 20hr: 90AH. It fits with no mods needed.

 

[Brian Waag]

I know from experience the DHP 31 has a 3 year warranty with full replacement. However, of course they will have to test it and that takes a while, including in my case, removing from the truck and placing it in a special containment cabinet while testing in case it blows up (!). As was explained to me.

Yea, I was expecting that they'd want to test it first.

Also, just got back from Norcal, did not drive the cruiser but drove my wife's car. I just hopped in the cruiser to move it out of the driveway, and of course the low-voltage alarm was on. so, sitting for five days the battery drain to be low 11 V. Like many of you, I will be searching for a different battery because it appears that most folks commenting are having the same issues that I am. Need something reliable off-road and not have to worry about electrical problems such as a dead battery.

 

[wngrog]

I went to Sam's Club and they have a Series 31 standard liquid battery and a Series 31 AGM battery.

Both are Duracell

Is this an AGM problem or a Diehard Group 31 AGM problem?

@Sandroad

 

[ntsaint]

Interested as well. About to be on my 3rd diehard 31 in 3 years.

 

[TexasCrane]

I went to Sam's Club and they have a Series 31 standard liquid battery and a Series 31 AGM battery.

Both are Duracell

Is this an AGM problem or a Diehard Group 31 AGM problem?

@Sandroad

This is not an AGM problem. It's specific to the charging requirements of the Odyssey /diehard platinum group 31 battery. Other group 31 battery might have similar requirements but you'd have to check with the manufacturer to know for sure.

 

[Sandroad]

I got the Duracell Group 31 Marine AGM from Sams Club and no problems after about a year. In fact, I have 5 total right now since I'm using them for other things. They seem to be holding up well and are relatively (so to speak) inexpensive. I'll be using these from now on. I've also put the standard Duracell from Sams in my wife's Outback and my son's Civic and CR-V. No issues there either, with 1-2 years experience with them.