X2Power SLI31AGMDPM (Group 31 AGM) battery, long term user experience.

@arwinnnsd

Given your situation, I would opt for the standard post.

I lived in El Paso for awhile and understand what you're talking about regarding the heat. You're going to be asking a lot out of that battery, especially after a few years of age. The five year warranty would be great peace of mind.

As you mentioned, when you decide to install some more electrical accessories, simply add a Bussman relay box. I would recommend installing a negative bussbar somewhere near the battery to collect all of your ground wires and then attaching that to the negative post with one wire - to keep it clean.

I believe you can run fused, constant hot circuits from a Bussman - not 100% sure though. I would do that for your constant hot USB power outlets in the cab. It would be an easy job.

 

yonah:

thats what I thinking, thanks for the nudge.

 

Any of you group 31 guys having issues with the inner fender cracking? Below my group 31 odyssey battery and behind my headlight the inner fender is cracking to shit. I'm thinking it's the weight of the battery. I don't have it in a battery cage, just the oem battery hold down. I'm wondering if the pelfreybilt cage somehow places the weight differently and prevents this from happening

 

Do you have any photos of the damage?

 

I'll try to grab some later.

It seems like a common issue, I've found people talking about it in other threads and relocating the battery to the bed. I'd just rather keep it in the engine bay if possible.

 

Pretty much behind the headlight

 

Never checked but I will now. Thanks for heads up

 

No problem. Another local guy has very similar cracks and he’s using a pelfreybilt battery cage

 

Sub'd

 

After reviewing your photos I inspected my truck very carefully and couldn't find any cracks. I have my battery cage torqued down pretty tight and generally check it every oil change.

Thanks for the heads up though. It's something to keep an eye on.

I wonder if @Pelfreybilt could chime in with any long term experience or insight into this issue?

 

I forgot to follow up to your question. Did you install your Group 31?

 

Yes sir!

 

How much longer did you need it to be? What size gauge? Im about to order my cage and 31 battery

 

For those following this thread, you gents will need to keep this thread going as I have listed my Tacoma for sale.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eful-overland-touring-built-truck-rtt.520589/

Thank you,

 

I ordered it 16 inches and it’s 2 gauge wire

 

Why! What!

 

Found a little information about the Northstar 31m
http://www.impactbattery.com/blog/2017/01/the-best-agm-battery-no-one-knows-about/

 

Yessir! I've got a bad habit of dialing a vehicle in and then moving on to something else. This Tacoma has been my favorite vehicle by far (I've also owned a first gen Jeep Brute and Hemi equipped TJ). I'll probably regret it, but you can't keep them all.

 

That x2 battery is ridiculously expensive.

 

Price a proper dual battery system (mount, components, etc.), then two quality AGM batteries, and a monitoring unit.

I've gone the dual battery route in the past and it's more expensive, with more components (complicated).

To each their own, but I found the single, large Group 31 option to be a practical middle ground between the 27F and a dual battery system (which can be difficult to install in an auto second gen - at least from my research).

And I'm sure there are cheaper AGMs out there, but I wanted the peace of mind that is backed by Northstar's reputation (and warranty).

The desert is no place to be stranded.