Another Battery thread, oh boy!

[NC Tom]

Folks, I've been looking around this forum and the general webbernet at battery options. I've read here that Interstate are a popular choice and that buying a Group 34 size will fit and will offer more performance.

 

I did look at Optima, but saw too many negative comments to pursue that. I have also read very good things about the Walmart EverStart.

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Maxx-Lead-Acid-Automotive-Battery-Group-Size-34-12-Volt-800-CCA/16795242?adsRedirect=true

 

I'm eyeballing this one because it checks offs two main boxes. High CCA and decent pricing. Warranty looks solid and the customer reviews are good, for what that's worth. The Interstate version of this battery is 2X higher! Is it going to be 2X better?

 

I've made a decision to routinely visit this forum before making a decision.

 

Thought's and or experiences?

[AnotherOldJeepGuy]

I have been very satisfied with my Napa 7558.

[NC Tom]

4 minutes ago, AnotherOldJeepGuy said:

I have been very satisfied with my Napa 7558.

Thank you, sir. I may be wrong, but I'm thinking that for a Renix Jeep, I should get a crap-ton of cranking amps.

[eaglescout526]

If everything is cleaned with no resistance, one shouldn’t need a lot of cranking amps to turn over an engine. If you need more amps, you probably have a lot of resistance and should have your wiring inspected before something happens. 

[NC Tom]

3 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

If everything is cleaned with no resistance, one shouldn’t need a lot of cranking amps to turn over an engine. If you need more amps, you probably have a lot of resistance and should have your wiring inspected before something happens. 

My current battery is dying, so I may be using this example incorrectly. My 88 starts better when I add my jump box in the picture. The extra amperage seems to turn the engine over substantially faster for a quicker start. My REM shows my alt working correctly, but without the jump box, it turns too slow to catch. Is there a minimum CCA I should look for?

[AnotherOldJeepGuy]

I replaced both my positive and negative cables as well.  This doesn't cost much and you can be sure all the current is getting to the starter.

[NC Tom]

Just now, AnotherOldJeepGuy said:

I replaced both my positive and negative cables as well.  This doesn't cost much and you can be sure all the current is getting to the starter.

Good idea.

[ghetdjc320]

The jeepcables kit is a good thing to do “while you’re in there”. I’ve ran optima yellow tops for many years now with no issues. I do suspect there was a bad batch after switching production companies. But my current battery is from 2024 with zero issues. Odyssey is who I run for marine applications and would definitely use them in automotive as well.

[llhat]

7 hours ago, NC Tom said:

Folks, I've been looking around this forum and the general webbernet at battery options. I've read here that Interstate are a popular choice and that buying a Group 34 size will fit and will offer more performance.

 

I did look at Optima, but saw too many negative comments to pursue that. I have also read very good things about the Walmart EverStart.

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Maxx-Lead-Acid-Automotive-Battery-Group-Size-34-12-Volt-800-CCA/16795242?adsRedirect=true

 

I'm eyeballing this one because it checks offs two main boxes. High CCA and decent pricing. Warranty looks solid and the customer reviews are good, for what that's worth. The Interstate version of this battery is 2X higher! Is it going to be 2X better?

 

I've made a decision to routinely visit this forum before making a decision.

 

Thought's and or experiences?

 

so a group 34 over the standard ?? group 58?   I can see the spec comparison  500+ CCA versus 800 CCA for the group 34...  so the dimensions are the same?

 

have a wally group 58 dated 2021,  so  at some point I know i'll have to update also...   try to drive it more often to keep a charge on it... but still probably less than 2k/ year.

 

[fiatslug87]

21 minutes ago, llhat said:

 

so a group 34 over the standard ?? group 58?   I can see the spec comparison  500+ CCA versus 800 CCA for the group 34...  so the dimensions are the same?

Group 34 is larger, taller but will fit the battery tray and not hit the hood. If you have the little OEM bracket that bolts to the radiator support it has to be flipped over, that’s it.

Group 34:

[eaglescout526]

Speaking of group 34. They will not fit in the 84-86 battery tray. You have to stick with 58 for those years. Learned the fun way. 

[fiatslug87]

1 minute ago, eaglescout526 said:

Speaking of group 34. They will not fit in the 84-86 battery tray. You have to stick with 58 for those years. Learned the fun way. 

Good to know 

[pizzaman09]

I just put a group 34 Interstate in mine to replace the groupe 56 Interstate that was in it that has been on its last legs since the day I bought the truck three years ago.  I usually buy the Walmart batteries but I had a horrid experience with trying to get a Warranty on one and wrote off ever doing that again.  

 

From a cranking speed standpoint, the new battery significantly sped it up but after a couple weeks it doesn't crank as fast as it had when the bat was fresh.  I wonder if I'm not quite charging at a high enough voltage.  My REM tends to show mid to low 13V when running.

[AnotherOldJeepGuy]

My charging voltage is something over 14, but don't remember how much.  According to the internet 13.5V seems to be the low end of the expected number and below that, as you suggested, may not get you to a full charge.  I suppose it could be the voltage regulator rather than the alternator, not sure how to know which other than by trial and error.

 

[eaglescout526]

25 minutes ago, AnotherOldJeepGuy said:

My charging voltage is something over 14, but don't remember how much.  According to the internet 13.5V seems to be the low end of the expected number and below that, as you suggested, may not get you to a full charge.  I suppose it could be the voltage regulator rather than the alternator, not sure how to know which other than by trial and error.

 

Ok let’s not turn this one into a charging/alt thread.

[coheed]

15 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

Speaking of group 34. They will not fit in the 84-86 battery tray. You have to stick with 58 for those years. Learned the fun way. 

Interesting that you say this. Both of my 86s, one early and one late, both had the same battery tray in them and the group 34 battery fits. I just had to flip the hold down wedge.

 

As far as an actual battery goes I've had an Interstate MTP-78DT in my truck for a few years and been very happy with it. I know most people don't need the dual terminal though. It's even sat for months while I was doing my engine swap, and a day on a 2amp charge and it's perfectly healthy again. 

[eaglescout526]

3 hours ago, coheed said:

Interesting that you say this. Both of my 86s, one early and one late, both had the same battery tray in them and the group 34 battery fits. I just had to flip the hold down wedge.

Well I’ll be damned. 

[Gojira94]

I'm also running a 34. And running the plastic tray for now. With a taller battery and the plastic tray, I recommend terminal covers of some sort in case the tray cracks/ breaks.

[jakesmog]

TL;DR

Good: $80-$120 Walmart 34 

Better: $220-$250 Deka Intimidator AGM 34

Best: $350-$450 X2Power/Odyssey Extreme AGM 34
 

There’s really two main manufacturers for regular flooded batteries— Clarios (Johnson Control) or East Penn/Deka. Clarios is definitely more cost effective and works just fine. These are the vast majority of batteries on the shelf at stores. East Penn definitely has better QC and design, but it won't magically solve parasitic drains or charging issues. 

 

For AGM, the best battery nowadays is an Odyssey EXTREME. Odyssey/EnerSys acquired NorthStar and their tech in 2019. NorthStar AGMs were making the best TPPL (thin plate pure lead) and have insane CCA and reserve capacity. Instead of asking a parts store to special order an Odyssey Extreme 34, the exact same battery is sold under the name of X2Power from Batteries Plus, ~$50 less, a longer warranty, and generally easier to find in stock. They used to bear the NorthStar label but now they are branded EnerSys and have the exact same spec sheet as the Odyssey Extreme.

Optima moved manufacturing to Mexico in 2007, and while that’s not directly a reflection of their quality, their spiral plate “6-pack” design simply doesn’t have enough lead for the space it takes up (compared to flat-plate). Its only saving grace is marginally better vibration/shock resistance, but definitely not CCA/RC or longevity.

Interstate is *typically* made by the inferior Clarios. Also much harder to find a place to warranty them. 

Personally, I’d either go with a cheap $80-$120 Walmart battery to save money (and I wouldn’t be scared of battery problems), or if budget allows to get a Deka Intimidator AGM $220-$250. AGMs recover considerably quicker and safer after sustained winching. If building out the dream rig I’d go with the X2Power for every last drop of longevity/reliability. 
 

Lastly, as far as warranties go, I think every single 12v lead auto/marine/RV battery in America voids the warranty if you present with less than 10 volts. This is because it overwhelmingly >99% of the time is due to a drain/draw. In the rare event of a battery with a manufacturer defect internal short, your battery would be dead on arrival. You can actually develop an internal short with poor maintenance and overcharging.

 

34 fit in my 89 battery tray fits fine. A 34 is only about 1/4” longer and 1/2” wider than a 58.

[NC Tom]

I decided to go with an EverStart from Walmart.

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Maxx-Lead-Acid-Automotive-Battery-Group-Size-34-12-Volt-800-CCA/16795242?classType=REGULAR&athbdg=L1600&adsRedirect=true

 

So far, so good.

[Htchevyii]

I went through 2 Interstates in just as many years. I think the vibration off-road I was killing them. We've got a few years ton the replacement O'Reilly AGM and it's still working well.