When is a beasty 31M battery worth it?

[Hayes]

When is a big 31M battery really needed?
Assume a 100 series with mostly stock electronics (maybe a CB radio), typical charging of mobile phones or small electronics. No refrigerators, winches, or big aux lights. The audio system does get used for music around the campfire, and has drained the battery more than once under these circumstances.
Does this use warrant a big deep cycle battery? Maybe just a portable jumper battery? Both?

Discuss.

 

[Dog]

Turn off the music. Enjoy nature. Problem solved.

 

[hankinid]

Not in my opinion, but you know what they say about opinions.

If the oem group 24 goes dead due to music around the campfire, what's to say the group 31 won't?...just a few more sing-along's and it's in the same boat.

Since a stock LX has no room for a second battery, it may be your only choice.

Steve

 

[Hayes]

Not in my opinion, but you know what they say about opinions.

If the oem group 24 goes dead due to music around the campfire, what's to say the group 31 won't?...just a few more sing-along's and it's in the same boat.

Since a stock LX has no room for a second battery, it may be your only choice.

Steve

My LX has had an AHC-ectomy, and I have room for a second battery. Just not sure what's the best route to maintain starting power. I'm hesitant--but not opposed--to add an aux battery system, but maybe that's more appropriate than upgrading the primary battery. The portable jumper battery is a relatively easy and affordable solution, but it's also more cargo.

 

[Topmounter]

For the radio issue I'd just throw one of those jump battery things in the back in case it won't start. A bigger battery will play longer, but the end result will be the same. Or even better I'd just buy a portable stereo with some rechargeable batteries.

 

[TXLX100]

Run a portable speaker and charge it off the portable jump pack as needed. You can always upgrade the one battery to a 31, then look at adding another battery if you need it.

 

[OregonLC]

When is a big 31M battery really needed?

When you have warm beer.

 

[hankinid]

My LX has had an AHC-ectomy, and I have room for a second battery. Just not sure what's the best route to maintain starting power. I'm hesitant--but not opposed--to add an aux battery system, but maybe that's more appropriate than upgrading the primary battery. The portable jumper battery is a relatively easy and affordable solution, but it's also more cargo.

Slee has a battery tray kit that fits where the AHC pump was.

You can add a relay and control which battery starts the truck, or you can parallel them and use both for starting. Switching happens from inside the truck. More than a few threads showing installations.

Not sure of your definition of "affordable", but obviously easier to go with 2 group 24's.

Steve

 

[Sandroad]

A big group 31 deep cycle will last a lot longer than a standard starting battery and running it down won't be so hard on it. I think you'll be happy with a group 31 deep cycle and a backup portable jumper pack battery in case of too low a discharge on the 31.

 

[SmoothLC]

^ I plan to go with a 31 Marine on my next battery for use under similar conditions. Slee tray ready to go as soon as the present one dies.

For comparison sake, a Sears DHP Group Size 35 has 850 CCA and 130 mins. RC vs. a DH Marine Group Size 31 has 1150 CCA and 205 mins. RC.

(Yikes! When did the DH Marine 31 get so expensive?)

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Given your needs, an OEM sized battery and an Antigravity jump bag.

An Antigravity can start your LC without a battery - FWIW

 

[TwiceWithHair]

The sears guys look at you funny and try to talk you out of it when you tell em "I want a DH platinum in my stock truck with no sounds or lights."


...via IH8MUD app

 

[Sandroad]

Yikes is the right word on the price now. Sears has priced themselves out of the battery market for my money. At the very least, you have to wait for a sale. I’m still running a Diehard Platinum AGM 31 in my L.C., but in other applications I’ve switched to the Duracell Marine AGM 31. When the Diehard gets to be 4-5 years old I’ll switch in the truck too. I’ve purchased a total of 6 Duracells so far and they are holding up well and it’s $130 less than the Sears. As I’ve posted elsewhere, I’ve had several failures of the Diehard Platinum 31 and have lingering doubts about whether they are unusually prone to sulfation if not charged properly. Jury is still out on that for me.

 

[Brian Waag]

There are many schools of thought around batteries: 1 or 2, DH, Optima, Odyssey, etc., etc. As some have already mentioned, it really depends on your concerns, usage, and what not. FWIW, here are my thoughts. I have both the DH 34 and 31 using the Slee primary battery bracket, and Slee auxiliary battery tray (tore out the AHC to install an OME lift), and just installed the IBS dual battery management system. Is it overkill? Heck yes. It is expensive? Insanely expensive (~ $1100 for batteries, IBS, Slee stuff, other parts). Piece of mind when offroad? You betcha. My only electrical add-ons at present are a TJM 10k winch, and Hella offroad lamps on my front bumper. Additional items I'll be adding include more lights on the roof rack including spots on the front, camp lights on the side and back (most likely LED's). I also have a Helton hot water heater to yet install, plus plan to install a water tank and re-circulation pump for camp showers, and the large ARB compressor for my rear locker and airing up tires to install. I also have the Micro-start XP-10 Jump Starter/Personal Supply and a solar panel w/controller for my off road pop up trailer that I can also use on the Cruiser if needed or use for a fellow off-roader in need. With this set-up, I don't worry too much about how long I have my car stereo on when the engine is off, or have my camp lights on for too long (different story with the Hella's....) with my setup. I have read alot about batteries and the DH's always get good reviews, are very reliable and Sears has a 5 year return policy on them (something like that..). I have had Optima's in my 80 series, and have had problems with them, which is why I switched to DH's in my 100.

My Cruiser is not a street Cruiser, meaning I do all this to take it in the outback, where all of us long to be, and try to minimize the potential of a break-down that leaves me stranded a long ways away from help. As we know, these upgrades aren't cheap (not just the battery question btw), but then that isn't why we bought Cruisers. They get us to those places that most folks will never go, and have the piece of mind of a very reliable rig to get us there.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

[Keowee]

The antigravity jump bag that Phil mentioned looks like a good backup. Easy to store and powers phones and laptops as well.
I have drained my Optima battery with just the radio on.

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

I'm on my 2nd Diehard Platinum AGM 31 in three years and it barely can hold a charge. Something is wrong with these batteries. I trickle charge it once a month and it still has not lasted more than 1.5 years. I average about 5K miles a year. I'm thinking its time to switch to a Duracell 31 Series... Anyone tried this?


Sent from my iPad

 

[OregonLC]

^ Same here. I'm on my 3rd. At least they've been under warranty.

I don't think our charging system gives the right profile. I need to buy one of the recommended chargers and see if I can pump life back into them. A battery tender is useless at keeping them in shape.

Mine also sits for weeks at a time though...

Sent from my SM-G900V

 

[Sandroad]

^ Same here. i've given up on the Diehard Platinum 31 and have posted elsewhere my suspicions that our trucks don't get those batteries what they need for charging. i've killed 2 (3 really) through sulfating in my truck and I've not been able to revive them. Trickle charging them definitely does not work; they need gobs of amps to prevent sulfating. I have gone to the Duracell Group 31 Deep Cycle AGM. So far, so good.

 

[schlite60]

I have a DH group 31 AGM battery bought new 9/11 and still going strong (approx. 60K miles); maybe got one of the good ones. It looks like odyssey battery from the out except a grey case and Sears stickers. It also has the OEM Alternator in it which will get changed out shortly.

 

[wngrog]

I have a Diehard 31....it is crap. I can run it down with no music and just my ARB running in a day. I keep it on a battery mender when not in use and I have a solar panel I can keep it charged if I need the ARB going and not the truck more than about 8 hours.

I thought about a second battery but instead I am going to get one of the cool new jump box/USB chargers

Anti Gravity Micro-Start XP-1

Of course, this only applies when you are alone. A few weeks ago I was and the next morning it almost did not crank, even with the ARB set to the most sensitive setting to stop pulling the battery