Are all batteries the same?

I'll be needing a new battery for my 02 in the next month or so. The Duralast (autozone) in there now is getting really sluggish. It's only 3-4 years old. Only aftermarket stuff is a basic pioneer head unit and a marine band radio. The marine band only gets turned on once in awhile.

Are the batteries you get at places like napa, oriellys, and autozone all pretty much equal? I see those yellow and red top deep cycle batteries but I don't know if those are for me with my current power requirements.

Any advice?

 

I don't find paying extra for those optima or other brand "gel" batteries makes sense for "normal" use. but if your rock climbing and might roll the truck over or Baja racing and the battery may end up bouncing loose then a gel battery is better suited for that activity. over all they don't last any longer then regular batteries but cost twice as much.

just get a recognizable name brand AGM (all glass filled matt) so the liquid doesn't slosh around inside. they are the "safer" version of liquid acid batteries today.

I have read a lot of posts about this "battery" question and it seams they are indeed all about the same, just be sure when you buy to pay attention to the date code on it, some batteries may be 2 yrs old still new sitting on the shelf so they put those out front and the "fresh" new batteries arte in the back of the rack. that said, months don't matter "as" much but watch out for the mfd year stamped on it

 

Thanks keakar! Sound advice right there

 

I have different requirments being I intend to support a winch, many lights, and an audio system. But it is worth noting that the AGM batteries are worth it just because of the superior extreme weather performance. They hold up better to lots of heat and very cold temps and are more consistent with cranking power.

 

Who all sells those AGM batteries? I don't think I have ever seen one labeled AGM.

 

Odyssey, Optima, Johnson Controls, Northstar, most auto store brands have a higher end model that is AGM (absorbent glass may) and chances are it it made for them by one of those brands I listed

 

The answers are coming in. No, batteries are not the same. You start by narrowing down if you want/need agm or traditional lead acid. When looking at whatever type you choose check out how and with what they are construct with. Then move on to CCA and reserve power ratings. There is always a difference in quality. Someone on this forum uses the line " you can pay now, or you can pay later". It usually is always true.

 

Here might be some helpful links:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/car-batteries/buying-guide.htm
http://www.autobatteries.com/en-us/battery-technology/
http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/the-best-car-battery-brand-to-use-for-lasting-performance

Remember the minimum CCA is 710 and you'll need a group 24F. Others may fit buy you may need to adjust the hold-down bolts.

I recently bought an Interstate battery from Costco ( they are phasing out the Kirkland brand).

 

I bought mine from pepboys bosch AGM with a 30% off and free install coupon. Best 130 dollars spent.

 

if you are interested in learning more about what batteries are all about, this is a good read: https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/battery-basics.html

 

Pretty much all batteries are the same. They are all built the same way just use slightly different technologies. AGM use Sulfuric Acid gel mat and regular acid cell batteries liquid sulfuric acid. One doesn't leak and one does when turned upside down.
Don't waste your money on a big name brand batteries. Research the warranties on batteries and base you decision on that. I will never own another Optima battery. Junk. Some people love them and some people don't. The make GREAT door stops.

 

I've used an Odyssey battery with a lot of success.

My truck has had increasing demands as I've added lighting, a compressor, etc, but I bought my Odyssey PC1200MJT 10 years ago when my truck was basically stock, and it's still going strong. It retails for $200 and is small by comparison to a stock sized battery so you'd need to find a way to hold it in the stock location, but it's been worth every penny. I welded and mounted a custom tray, and in the entire time I've had it I'd only drained it once, and I've had no issues since.

 

I vote for the Odyssey or the Sears DieHard which is the same. I went through the comparison in the fall when I got mine and I don't think much out there is close when it comes to cold/hot weather and capacity. I got the PC2150 (31 series). It can technically bolt up in the stock position but I got a cage and modified the hold-down to make sure it stays put.

 

I like your positive post insulator!

 

@bry838
LoL. That was the mock-up to make sure the terminal would clear the hood and not weld it shut I think I had an inch and change. Just for safety I've been trying to think of a good insulator that I could stick to the underside of the hood.

 

Living a few miles from the East Penn Manufacturing Plant (Deka ) I have been using there second batteries for 20 plus years without any problems.

There are really only a few companies that make batteries in the USA .

Funny thing I had a Interstate Battery Salesmen tell me he thought the AGM batteries were a waste of money for the average type battery user .

I go through a few batteries a year I forget to bring them in out of project vehicles they discharge and freeze I am getting better .

 

I've been doing the same for my 2nd battery on the pass side; a temp solution is to wrap a mtn tire inner tube around the battery terminals.

 

NAPA has AGM batteries $220 for a 24F vs $140 for a conventional with a 7 year warranty. I went with the conventional battery.

The counter guy at the NAPA store I went to said Optima batteries used to be good but no longer are (he used stronger language).

I'm confident that the NAPA battery with a 7 year warranty is better than the $60 battery with a 1 year warranty. All batteries are basically the same construction but some are better than others.

 

couldn't you just use the top cover from one of these battery boxes, or just use the whole box? http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOCO-HM318B...ash=item25a4fc38cb:g:zK0AAOSwcwhVODnG&vxp=mtr

 

Gross, and no, at that point it would about 1.75-2.25 inches taller. I have a couple of these from our old boat. They are flimsy garbage that doesn't even have any internal reinforcement and is made out of regular crappy ABS plastic rather than glass fiber reinforced plastic or glass ball reinforced resin. @alphabravo has a great box holding his battery and the proper thing to do now would be put a thin insulating material on the part of the hood that could (under very constrained and likely dented circumstances) make contact. I will give the box you posted a tiny bit of credit though, at least it boasts reinforced handles, mine had those so of course it cracked in between the reinforcements.