4bangerjp.com
General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: Jeffy on May 17, 2011, 07:40:39 PM
-
Well, since this past winter my battery seems to be slowly going down hill. I can hear the alternator strain a bit as it charges. Once I've been driving for a while it quiets down and everything it well until the next day. The battery will still take a charge and has plenty of CC's to turn the engine over but I think it might need to be replaced. I replaced the alternator a few years ago so that should still be fine. The gauge has been reading at a bit over 14v for at least the past year. Digital VOM on my HAM reads 12.3v so the battery is probably getting charged while driving. I should also mention my Optima is circa 1998 IIRC.
-
You gonna get another of the same or switch?
-
You gonna get another of the same or switch?
I'm thinking Optima Yellow Top.
-
why not red top?
-
why not red top?
Because the Yellow Top is a Deep Cycle/Starter.
-
I'm in the same situation and our heat is hard on batteries. I can get an Optima Yellow d3478 (750CCA and 3 years free replace) for $190 locally or a Sears Diehard Platinum 3478dt (880CCA and 4 years free replace) for $180 on a current Sears special, normally $200. Used Optima's in the past, great battery, and I am sure they have sorted out their problems from the move of the manufacturing to Mexico. Sears Platinum is made by Odessey Batteries an excellent company, with the special price I think I will go Sears if it is in stock.
-
I'm in the same situation and our heat is hard on batteries. I can get an Optima Yellow d3478 (750CCA and 3 years free replace) for $190 locally or a Sears Diehard Platinum 3478dt (880CCA and 4 years free replace) for $180 on a current Sears special, normally $200. Used Optima's in the past, great battery, and I am sure they have sorted out their problems from the move of the manufacturing to Mexico. Sears Platinum is made by Odessey Batteries an excellent company, with the special price I think I will go Sears if it is in stock.
Is Optima still having issues? When I bought mine it was before they sold to Johnson Controls. That was before everyone like Excide and Napa had their own versions. Those were all copies of the Group 75/25's and a new battery to the line up. Mine's the old tried and true 800U or Group 34/78. Never had any problem with it till this winter. Voltage seems to drop when left overnight. Starts up OK though. Probably because of the high CCA.
I've heard good things about the Diehard Platinum. I've looked at the Platinum P-4 - Group Size 34/78DT in the past. I don't believe it's a Deep-cycle battery though. They have the Marine Platinum PM-2 - Group Size 34M that is though. No change in price which seems weird. I need the extra terminals and the deep-cycle will be nice since I've got the winch and all of the other stuff. I've probably drained my Optima down to nothing several times over it's lifetime. Sears actually has a 10% off right now so the battery is $179. Problem for me is tax is 10% which spoils any good deals. Still, maybe I should give them a second look. So thanks for reminding me about the Diehards.
-
I have loved my Odessey 1200 for many years! I'd buy one again, even though they are pricey!
-
I'm going Optima yellow top when mine dies; saw one getting REALLY beat up in our last wheeling trip (the white Jeep had alternator issues, and it still got the Jeep back on the road with only 3 jumps in 2 days), and I gave mine a thorough workout with all the winching I did (same goes for the Superwinch, by the way). Besides, yours lasted 10 years; that's a nice feat all by itself!
-
I have loved my Odessey 1200 for many years! I'd buy one again, even though they are pricey!
What's the advantage other then size and a little weight for going with the PC1200? Diehard Platinum's, more specifically the P-4 and PM-2 are Odyssey PC1500. I do like the warranty (4 yr/100month pro rate) and the fact that Sears is just about everywhere so they're easy to get replacements for no matter where I may be. They cost about the same as a Optima Yellow Top but have 130cca more and still deep-cycle.
Besides, yours lasted 10 years; that's a nice feat all by itself!
13 years if you're counting. I was looking at Odyssey's site and they list their lifespan to be 12 years with average replacement 4-6 years. I think the oldest Optima is something like 20 something years old.
-
What's the advantage other then size and a little weight for going with the PC1200? Diehard Platinum's, more specifically the P-4 and PM-2 are Odyssey PC1500. I do like the warranty (4 yr/100month pro rate) and the fact that Sears is just about everywhere so they're easy to get replacements for no matter where I may be. They cost about the same as a Optima Yellow Top but have 130cca more and still deep-cycle.
13 years if you're counting. I was looking at Odyssey's site and they list their lifespan to be 12 years with average replacement 4-6 years. I think the oldest Optima is something like 20 something years old.
Don't know about those Die Hard ones I have not done any research. Mine has knurled brass terminals that are threaded to you can add your winch leads to them. The Odessey lineup don't seemed to mind being discharged and recharged over and over again. Some of the other brands have problems if you discharge alot.
If Sears has them then it would seem like a great way to go.
http://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey-pc1200mjt-battery.html
This is like the one I run. I forgot they have various models of each size. The only changes are the terminals.
-
Optima Bluetop, similar to the yellow with the addition of 2 stainless studs on top.
-
Don't know about those Die Hard ones I have not done any research. Mine has knurled brass terminals that are threaded to you can add your winch leads to them. The Odessey lineup don't seemed to mind being discharged and recharged over and over again. Some of the other brands have problems if you discharge alot.
If Sears has them then it would seem like a great way to go.
http://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey-pc1200mjt-battery.html
This is like the one I run. I forgot they have various models of each size. The only changes are the terminals.
I think the PC1200 is one of their original compact designs.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/autospecs.html
The Diehard Platinum are made by Odyssey Battery and are just re-badged Odyssey batteries. I've also heard that the Odyssey's don't have the side terminal problem like the Optima does which is good if you want to run a winch off the side terminals. I guess they use larger copper straps that can handle high amp draws without heating up. I'm thinking about going with the Marine battery since it had posts on it already. I have screw-in posts on the Optima. It would force me to clean up my wires a bit as well.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850090000P
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850134000P
(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c166/rdewry/battery.jpg)
(http://imagethumbnails.milo.com/000/959/364/trimmed/959576_2260364_trimmed.jpg)
(http://www.longtonbatteryservices.co.uk/upload/terminallayoutimage/1286356330.jpg)
-
Optima Bluetop, similar to the yellow with the addition of 2 stainless studs on top.
Isnt the Blue top the deep cycle one and the red top the CCA one and the yellow the one in between?
-
Isnt the Blue top the deep cycle one and the red top the CCA one and the yellow the one in between?
Yellow and Blue are the same except the blue has threaded posts.
-
What I like about the brass terminals is having zero,zip,nada signs of corrosion on the cables or anything. It's been nice not having to mess with that. On the other 2 auto's we have it's always a hassle. I am using those felt pads with some spray on grease stuff that is supposed to keep the corrosion away but it always comes back after cleaning them up. Not sure the brass is the key or what but it's nice not having a mess!
-
What I like about the brass terminals is having zero,zip,nada signs of corrosion on the cables or anything. It's been nice not having to mess with that. On the other 2 auto's we have it's always a hassle. I am using those felt pads with some spray on grease stuff that is supposed to keep the corrosion away but it always comes back after cleaning them up. Not sure the brass is the key or what but it's nice not having a mess!
Never had corrosion issues with my Optima either. Although unless you're using copper terminals on your cables, have to watch out for galvanic corrosion. Not really a big deal though.
-
Yellow and Blue are the same except the blue has threaded posts.
Yes and no. There are 2 bluetops available, one is the same starting/deep cycle as the yellow top, the other is strictly a deep cycle battery not suited well for automotive use. I believe mine is the D34M.
-
Optima Bluetop, similar to the yellow with the addition of 2 stainless studs on top.
I got a Optima yellow top for free last year. A bit larger than your regular automotive battery, and it had threaded studs on top. I'm thinking it may have been the marine version. It seemed to hold a charge so we tried it out. After a bit of semi-mild wheeling, my rig stunk like rotten eggs, and if it were a regular battery instead of a gel one, it would have boiled over. I now know why it was free. My next battery will still be an Optima yellow top, but it's gonna be brand new with warranty... And for automotive use.
-
Mine has some threads in the front (for additional posts, I guess!).
-
Mine has some threads in the front (for additional posts, I guess!).
Those are for the screw in type terminals or you can get adapters that give you threaded posts to use it in a marine application or just add accessories. Just be careful if you use a high amp draw accessory like a winch. Optima gives a warning about using a winch on the side posts.
-
Those are for the screw in type terminals or you can get adapters that give you threaded posts to use it in a marine application or just add accessories. Just be careful if you use a high amp draw accessory like a winch. Optima gives a warning about using a winch on the side posts.
Yeah, i read that one... I dont use mine at all.
-
Yeah, i read that one... I dont use mine at all.
I use mine for all the accessories. I really should clean it up and add an AUX, fuse box but it's extra $$ that won't really change anything other then make it look cleaner.
-
I use mine for all the accessories. I really should clean it up and add an AUX, fuse box but it's extra $$ that won't really change anything other then make it look cleaner.
I used military connetors for the battery, and that helped a lot. Also added a 6 fuse holder (marin type) under the hood (still got 3 left for other stuff).
-
I used military connetors for the battery, and that helped a lot. Also added a 6 fuse holder (marin type) under the hood (still got 3 left for other stuff).
I'd like to get a Marine battery since they have the threaded bolt already. Although I have noticed the Standard Diehard Platinum has a 4 year and 100 month pro-rate while the Platinum Marine only has a 3 year warranty. A bit of a gyp since they are the same battery with different posts. Gonna have to decide if the posts are worth the 1 year less warranty.
-
When we last bought our bass boat trolling battery I was told the marine battery was best for use in low current (trolling motor) drains not for high current such as winching use or some of the Hollywood jeeps I see/hear with mega bass sound systems and blinding lights, and so the marine might not have the life expectancy. Anyone have experience?
Also my Sears special on the 3478dt has ended but they the marine batteries are now on special.
-
When we last bought our bass boat trolling battery I was told the marine battery was best for use in low current (trolling motor) drains not for high current such as winching use or some of the Hollywood jeeps I see/hear with mega bass sound systems and blinding lights, and so the marine might not have the life expectancy. Anyone have experience?
Also my Sears special on the 3478dt has ended but they the marine batteries are now on special.
There are typically two types of Deep Cycle batteries. Starting/Deep-Cycle and the standard Deep-Cycle. Starting can be used as everyday battery. Deep-cycles are designed so they can be drained and recharged often. Regular batteries like to be full or close to it all the time. They don't want to be discharged and start to degrade when it happens often.
The two I'm looking at are:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850134000P
and
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850090000P
-
There are typically two types of Deep Cycle batteries. Starting/Deep-Cycle and the standard Deep-Cycle. Starting can be used as everyday battery. Deep-cycles are designed so they can be drained and recharged often. Regular batteries like to be full or close to it all the time. They don't want to be discharged and start to degrade when it happens often.
The two I'm looking at are:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850134000P
and
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850090000P
so what made you change your mind from Optima?
-
so what made you change your mind from Optima?
Optima has had problems way back when they were bought out by Johnson Control. This happened in 2000. I bought my Optima in 1998 si I had heard and seen some of the problems. Since the change in ownership Optimas were no longer made in Colorado. I think they are now made in Mexico. There were many accounts of batteries failing early. Only after 2 years. I had forgotten about Odyssey though. Odyssey Batteries is one of Optima's prime competitors but they were always more expensive. Although the Group 34 isn't much more then a deep-cycle. Now compared to a Red-Top they still are expensive.
-
Optima has had problems way back when they were bought out by Johnson Control. This happened in 2000. I bought my Optima in 1998 si I had heard and seen some of the problems. Since the change in ownership Optimas were no longer made in Colorado. I think they are now made in Mexico. There were many accounts of batteries failing early. Only after 2 years. I had forgotten about Odyssey though. Odyssey Batteries is one of Optima's prime competitors but they were always more expensive. Although the Group 34 isn't much more then a deep-cycle. Now compared to a Red-Top they still are expensive.
just briefly read the description of the ones you posted, didn't say you can use them in any position, that's why i was asking - i will need to buy a second battery and was thinking either blue or yellow (have a red top on currently and i need a second one for cooler and such). I can only have the battery on it's side with the way i have them setup
-
just briefly read the description of the ones you posted, didn't say you can use them in any position, that's why i was asking - i will need to buy a second battery and was thinking either blue or yellow (have a red top on currently and i need a second one for cooler and such). I can only have the battery on it's side with the way i have them setup
Well, if you can't run them side by side then you can run then stacked. Otherwise you could mount the other battery in the back. If you don't have room then you might check out the smaller batteries that Odyssey makes as well. The one that Scott is using is a bit smaller.
Oh and the Odyssey can be mounted on it's side.
Like many popular spiral-wound batteries, ODYSSEY batteries employ dry cell AGM technology to contain acid, allowing the battery to be installed even on its side. But the densely packed flat plates in an ODYSSEY battery avoid the “dead space” between cylinders in a “six-pack” design. The result is 15% more plate surface area — and that translates to more power!
- http://www.odysseyfactory.com/batteries.html
I'll probably eventually run two side by side.
-
Don't know if it's true or not, but I was told that 2 925 Odyessy batteries will fit in the stock battery tray. They are pretty small. If you do a lot of winching might not be the best set up.
-
Another option would be to go with a Group 31. These are huge but smaller then two batteries.
Product Description
Height: 9-1/2 in.
Length: 13 in.
Width (in.): 6-4/5 in.
Product Overview:
Item Weight (lbs.): 75.0 lbs.
Battery Type:
Group Size: 31M
Temperate Zone: North or South
Transportation Type: Marine and recreational vehicle
Power Configuration:
Voltage: 12.0
Power Ratings:
Amp Hours at 20 Hour Rate: 100
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA at 0 deg.F): 1150
Reserve Capacity (RC): 205 min.
-
Now that's a battery!
-
Now that's a battery!
Some of the Expo guy's are running them. It's what you'd normally find in an RV, Diesel or other heavy truck.
There is also the Group 65;
Dimensions:
Height: 7-2/5 in.
Length: 11-4/5 in.
Width (in.): 7-1/5 in.
Product Overview:
Item Weight (lbs.): 60.0 lbs.
Battery Type:
Group Size: 65
Temperate Zone: North or South
Transportation Type: Passenger car and light commercial
Power Configuration:
Voltage: 12.0
Power Ratings:
Amp Hours at 20 Hour Rate: 75
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA at 0 deg.F): 930
Reserve Capacity (RC): 135 min.
For comparisons here's the Group 34/78
Dimensions:
Height: 7-4/5 in.
Length: 10-9/10 in.
Width (in.): 7-1/10 in.
Product Overview:
Item Weight (lbs.): 53.0 lbs.
Battery Type:
Group Size: 34/78DT
Temperate Zone: North or South
Transportation Type: Passenger car and light commercial
Power Configuration:
Voltage: 12.0
Power Ratings:
Amp Hours at 20 Hour Rate: 68
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA at 0 deg.F): 880
Reserve Capacity (RC): 135 min.
-
I have a yellow top on the YJ and love it, its getting old though...I wanna get one for the truck and KJ heh
-
I have a 34/78 Die Hard Platinum. I got it last summer at Sears during a sale for $165 out the door. It is by far the best battery I have had. I have used interstate mega trons and Optima red tops. Let me tell you this battery takes what ever you can throw at it. I plow snow with my Jeep. Plows DRAIN batteries! I have a front plow and rear that I use at the same time or by them selves. I do 15 driveways, a small parking lot, two private lanes and a apt. complex. Needless to say I work that battery HARD. My lights don't even dim when using the plows. I even plowed for just over 30 hrs straight, never turning the engine off, during one blizzard in February. The only complaint I have heard about these batteries is the side terminals. I guess some have broke off inside the battery making it inoperable. Warranty covers that but not out wheeling or in my case...in the middle of a storm when my job depends on it. I don't use the side terminals anyway. I use the Wirthco battery bolt extenders on the top post mounts. Anyway, I thought I'd chime in considering I use this battery. I also just got a Die Hard Gold for $90 on a midnight online sale to replace a Interstate Mega tron on my GMC Jimmy. I have not beaten on that battery YET so no review.
-
I have a 34/78 Die Hard Platinum. I got it last summer at Sears during a sale for $165 out the door. It is by far the best battery I have had. I have used interstate mega trons and Optima red tops. Let me tell you this battery takes what ever you can throw at it. I plow snow with my Jeep. Plows DRAIN batteries! I have a front plow and rear that I use at the same time or by them selves. I do 15 driveways, a small parking lot, two private lanes and a apt. complex. Needless to say I work that battery HARD. My lights don't even dim when using the plows. I even plowed for just over 30 hrs straight, never turning the engine off, during one blizzard in February. The only complaint I have heard about these batteries is the side terminals. I guess some have broke off inside the battery making it inoperable. Warranty covers that but not out wheeling or in my case...in the middle of a storm when my job depends on it. I don't use the side terminals anyway. I use the Wirthco battery bolt extenders on the top post mounts. Anyway, I thought I'd chime in considering I use this battery. I also just got a Die Hard Gold for $90 on a midnight online sale to replace a Interstate Mega tron on my GMC Jimmy. I have not beaten on that battery YET so no review.
how does plowing drain the batteries?
-
Hydraulic pumps are run off of battery power. Every time you lift or angle the plow it draws power. I run a 160amp alternator on my Jeep and a 220amp on my Jimmy. When I plowed with the stock alternator and a 4 year old Interstate Mega tron 1000ca my voltmeter would drop to 9, lights would dim, and the heater motor would slow down any time I lifted or angled the plow.
-
you're running off the alternator not the battery, if the alternator can't keep up then the battery would be drained, of course you're better off with the 160 amp. A good alternator should keep up
-
In my experience you need both a good battery and a higher amp alternator. Most of the time the engine is at idle or just above idle when plowing. This doesn't give the alternator much of a chance to charge it. Plow trucks out the factory have a "plow prep" package that includes both a heavy duty battery and a heavy duty alternator. Its important to have both.
-
In my experience you need both a good battery and a higher amp alternator. Most of the time the engine is at idle or just above idle when plowing. This doesn't give the alternator much of a chance to charge it. Plow trucks out the factory have a "plow prep" package that includes both a heavy duty battery and a heavy duty alternator. Its important to have both.
i see what you mean, i guess i was just not getting my head around how much you'd move the plow up/down (i never plowed so that's not surprizing). Probaly somewhat similar to winching i guess (as far as using the battery)
-
I don't know how many amps a winch pulls but I figure it would be in the same ball park, if not more than a plow. The plow motor draws 190-200 amps (theoretical) and 183 amps (actual). The battery cable to plow is 4 gauge or bigger. My route is 3 hours long (up to 5 inches of snow) with the longest rest time of 15 minutes but most of my accounts are with in a minute or two of each other if not next door to each other. I know many don't plow here but I thought maybe this could be some sort of comparison to winching and the abuse the Platinum takes without skipping a beat.
-
OK did some more testing. Actually observing. When starting up the Volt gauge drops to just above 9v. So that's between 9v and 9.83v. When it sits overnight and I get in it the meter is no more then 10.66v. After driving it for a while it gets over 11.49v but then drops between 11.49v and 10.66v when I shut the engine off. When driving the Volt Gauge reads 14v which means trying to recharge the battery and not just top it off. The digital volt meter on my 2M radio says 12.2-12.3v still. I'm thinking maybe a cell is going bad and shows when under a load. I don't have a load tester to really try it out though. Still, I'm thinking it's the battery now. Thoughts?
-
I'd start with the battery.
-
sounds low to me, so would replace the battery first (you have to do that anyway) and go from there.