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AGM Batteries

36K views 94 replies 29 participants last post by  Pressurized 
#1 ·
I went to crank over my Jeep today and the battery was down to 11 volts and it wouldn’t crank over. Quickly got going with a little booster pack I carry with me. No big deal. Hopefully it was a fluke. I run a fridge, but it hadn’t even been 24 hours since I went for a 45 minute drive. Never had this happen before. Yes, I am going to review my low voltage cut off settings.

Anyhow, I realized a while back I will need to get a new battery and have settled on a AGM because of the fridge. I had it narrowed down to an Optima H6 or an Odyssey 34r-pc1500t. Was looking around and found this Duracell for about $180 otd. It is rated or 70 ah. Am I missing something else that makes the other two worth almost $100 more?


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#3 ·
Am I missing something else that makes the other two worth almost $100 more?
Yes, you've been missing checking out my AGM battery comparison matrix which includes each batteries specs.

The Odyssey has 880 CCA and weighs 52.3lbs vs The Duracell which has 770CCA and weighs 42.5lbs. In other words the manufacturers of the Odyssey battery have figured out how to pack over 10lbs of additional AGM battery material into the same size battery container resulting in higher specs across the board over the Duracell battery and that's the reason they cost more. You're paying a higher price for their technology and additional performance you get. Also check the warranty terms on each. 1.5 years vs 4 years.


 
#4 ·
Warranty is a good point. Not sure if it is worth the extra cash.

I did notice the CCA difference too. But if the Duracell has enough juice to easily turn over the engine doesn’t more CCAs really do nothing? Sort of like running a wider fuel line. Yes, I can move more fuel but my engine already has more than enough. Or is there something else I’m missing?


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#7 ·
Maxx Start from Wal-Mart.
5 year warranty, 800 cca.
$120.00

Used these batteries in other vehicles, no issues. Of course, I don't have a fridge anything similar.
 
#8 ·
If your added electrical accessories can discharge your battery on a regular basis, a deep cycle battery is a good idea.

Many people equate an AGM battery with being a deep cycle, but that isn't necessarily the case- while you can certainly buy an AGM battery that is a deep cycle, you can also buy an AGM battery that is primarily a starting battery that uses AGM technology. Deep cycle batteries are capable of being discharged below 12V many times without becoming damaged, which is not always true with an AGM starting battery. An Optima Yellow Top is a deep cycle AGM, but an Optima Red Top AGM is a starting battery that won't rebound from deep discharges without damage.
 
#10 ·
I went to crank over my Jeep today and the battery was down to 11 volts and it wouldn’t crank over. Quickly got going with a little booster pack I carry with me. No big deal. Hopefully it was a fluke. I run a fridge, but it hadn’t even been 24 hours since I went for a 45 minute drive. Never had this happen before. Yes, I am going to review my low voltage cut off settings.

Anyhow, I realized a while back I will need to get a new battery and have settled on a AGM because of the fridge. I had it narrowed down to an Optima H6 or an Odyssey 34r-pc1500t. Was looking around and found this Duracell for about $180 otd. It is rated or 70 ah. Am I missing something else that makes the other two worth almost $100 more?

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My ARB Fridge caused me to look at AGM's. I chose an Odyssey Extreme 34R-PC1500T. I chose this battery because it is 100% Made In USA, 100% new non-recycled lead, and seemed to have great reviews. I have had MAJOR problems with 2 Optima batteries which are now made in Mexico so they were completely out. My other choice is North Star which is also made the same as Odyssey batteries. I have one of those in my garage just waiting for the dual battery set up (reverse terminals). At $300+, do your research well, they aren't cheap.
 
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#11 · (Edited)
I previously used Optima yellow tops in my TJ; however, as mentioned above, their quality looked to markedly drop off after they relocated the manufacturing facility south of the border. My first yellow top made in ~eight years and the replacement that came from the non-US source barley made it to three years. After researching, the Sears DieHard Platinum was my choice to replace the Optima and it performed flawlessly for more than three years and was still going strong in my TJ when I sold it in 2017.
Have been told the DieHard Platinum is no longer available, but haven’t confirmed. As my JK is just a bit more than two years old, hopeful I have a little while longer before I need to consider a replacement. Sears DieHard Platinum Marine is leading candidate so far should the DieHard Platinum be no more.
I also carry a NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp Jump Starter that, depending on the location of the stranded vehicle, is so much easier and safer than jump starting by using another vehicle. I’ve used to help others, most notably my dad.
 
#12 ·
You are correct. The Sears Diehard platinum has been discontinued. I currently have one installed, going on 6 years now. The Diehard Platinum used to be the best value AGM since it was really a rebranded Odyssey at a reduced cost. The Duracel Platinum is likely the best value AGM currently where the Northstar and Odyssey are the top performers.
 
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#13 ·
Those of you who have purchased Odyssey or Northstar (or really, anything that has to be ordered online rather than walk into a store), what is the plan for when those batteries do eventually die (and they all will, eventually)?

This wonderful Monday morning featured a no-go event for my Jeep starting on its own. Hoping it's a fluke, but I'm keeping my portable jumpstarter around just in case and researching batteries once again. I know I will get an AGM deep cycle battery, as I have one in my Chrysler that I've abused over the past 5 years and it keeps on ticking. Sticking to single battery since my Jeep is a daily driver, no plans yet to go overlanding and no desire to spend gobs of money today if I don't need them for another 5 years anyway.

I understand Odyssey makes awesome batteries, but I'm unsettled by the fact they're online-only. Sounds like Northstar is the same. Push comes to shove, I'm OK with dropping an Autocraft Platinum into the Jeep to match my M, knowing I can walk into AAP for warranty replacement or EOL replacement if need be. The Odyssey needs more planning for that eventuality, and batteries just don't allow for that. What are Odyssey users doing or planning to do for when it does eventually go tits up?
 
#15 ·
Those of you who have purchased Odyssey or Northstar (or really, anything that has to be ordered online rather than walk into a store), what is the plan for when those batteries do eventually die (and they all will, eventually)?
I picked up mine local at 4WP.
 
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#18 ·
Thanks for everyone’s input. I drove 40 minutes to 4 Wheel Parts this afternoon and by the time I left (15 minutes tops) I had to start it off my booster.

I ended up with an Optima M6 for about $260. The Odyssey was my first choice, but I couldn’t find one locally today and I didn’t want to jump start it anymore as it is my dd. Hopefully I will have some luck.

Should I be plugging it into a charger? This is my first AGM.


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#21 ·
Looked a little harder at the chart above and what Batteries + Bulbs is showing me is available at the store in Novi, MI... Looks like the X2 Power Premium AGM Deep Cycle is a Northstar rebranded battery. 770 CCA. With online 15% discount, plus core charge and tax, $270 OTD. I would get the core back and there appears to be a $20 MIR --> Total $230 all said and done.

Can anyone confirm if my understanding is correct?

https://www.batteriesplus.com/produ.../jeep/wrangler/2016/v6-3.6l-600cca/sli48agmdp
 
#30 ·
Looked a little harder at the chart above and what Batteries + Bulbs is showing me is available at the store in Novi, MI... Looks like the X2 Power Premium AGM Deep Cycle is a Northstar rebranded battery. 770 CCA. With online 15% discount, plus core charge and tax, $270 OTD. I would get the core back and there appears to be a $20 MIR --> Total $230 all said and done.

Can anyone confirm if my understanding is correct?

https://www.batteriesplus.com/produ.../jeep/wrangler/2016/v6-3.6l-600cca/sli48agmdp

Your understanding is correct. The X2 Power Premium
AGM is a rebranded Northstar.

The JK calls for a Group Size 34, while some have been running H6 sizes as well because they're similar dimensions. My chart is referencing Group Size 34 batteries only. So you should be looking at a Group Size 34 batteries.

This is the X2Power Premium Group Size 34 AGM.
https://www.batteriesplus.com/produ...BDy3-OgRNk4HT9n0rrKiEfL7h7O9xxihoCl6sQAvD_BwE


I would recommend getting a 34M Group size. The "M" stands for "Marine" where you typically get 4 terminals on a Marine battery instead of 2 which comes in handy for connecting accessories.

Here's the Marine version.
https://www.batteriesplus.com/produ...and-boat/deep-cycle/bci-group-34m/sli34agmdpm
 
#22 ·
I got an Odyssey on amazon for my 2012 a year ago was 230$ shipped. About 300 now! As much as the prices jump around id put one in the shopping cart and watch it. They are excellent batteries from components to build quality. I have a warn 9k lb winch and a dometic fridge/freezer as well. Go camping most every weekend and never an issue. Just be sure to throw a charger on it after you use alot of juice for the longest battery life.

Also if it isnt already, hardwire the freezer to the battery. Arb makes a nice kit with everything, i mounted it in the top of the speaker box and its 10 gauge wire iirc. Using the cig lighter plugs will make the freezer run weird and think theres low voltage because factory wiring is tiny and alot of voltage drop. Mines set to medium and it has never shut off because of low voltage with proper wiring.
 
#24 ·
#26 ·
What is a wwjk? I put in 2016 wrangler on their search and first one that pops up says its a diehard agm. the Odyssey that fits a jk 2012+ is a 34R size. R is for reverse polarity. The jk terminals are backwards from most and the oem battery is a group 48 size. Not sure who else makes reverse 34 batteries.
 
#43 ·
My battery seems to be dying too. Are these AGM batteries overkill if not running accessories? I don't have a winch or fridge but the standard oversize tires and other physical mods. Is a $300 Odyssey worthwhile in this case? If not, I'm looking at the Interstate from Costco for $116.
 
#45 ·
#46 ·
Did anyone notice that the battery terminals on the Odyssey seem smaller? I just found out that my negative terminal will turn, or spin, with very little force and I have the tightening nut as tight as it will go. Rather than getting a new negative lead, or cutting the lead lug off and installing a new one, I ended up shimming the terminal for a tighter fit...for now.
 
#53 ·
Yes. I ended up buying a set of shims from O'reillys, and cutting one in half to use on the negative terminal. Works great.

Positive terminal is fine with the OEM clamp.

Mark

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#49 ·
Battery was weakening yesterday so I went ahead and replaced it this morning with an X2 Power Premium (relabeled Northstar) this morning on my way to the office. I noticed that the negative cable appeared to not be able to fully tighten, so the battery clamp might have been my issue all along. Planning to fix it tonight, and search for new terminals that fit the battery recess, since OEM is garbage.
 
#58 ·
My experience is similar with the 34r in the jeep, as well as the Diehard Platinums in my crawler and tow rig. I like to think the tow rig and crawler see the (Odyssey) charger monthly in the winter, but certainly not the rest of the year.

Mark

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