Aftermarket battery recommendations..

Best practice is to use a carbon pile tester to check both the battery and charging system health (alternator). Those battery testers that work off voltage are not as consistent.

 

I really like how so many guys throw around the term, "CCA's" without really knowing why that rating is important.

 

Reserve capacity should be considered too for the add on guys. I need reliable cold starts during hunting season so I based my battery needs on CCA.

 

Allow me to rephrase. I have AT tires on my truck and seldom off-road. I like the look and capability of it so i don't consider it a waste of money. I will say some to most of all vehicle owners don't use their vehicles in a manner that they get benefits of agms. Combine that with the under voltage charging system of Toyotas that never get the agm topped off and most users wouldn't notice the difference if they bought a top quality flooded cell. Now don't get me wrong i clearly agree the agm is far superior. My business changed to them ib all but one high current quick burst discharge application. However a lightly modded truck with a normal charging system whose battery is not outputting above alternator output or supplying long duration loads with the engine of just won't see those benefits. That isn't opinion. I have tested them and for my truck and the way i use it, i won'tbut one. Just don't need it. Hope that answer better satisfies the masses.

 

Extremely happy with my battery upgrade. DEKA ULTIMATE 727F 1030 ca 840 cca. Usually on sale for around $130 at PASCO battery warehouse. Try to match that at any auto part store or big box discount outlet.

 

Undercharging? My 2019 TRD Sport AGM's current standing voltage at 12.6V, on the OEM stock charging system:



My made in Mexico Optima AGM from my former 2002 Tacoma - OEM stock charging system, I did have to fab a custom hold down. It's still going strong, paid about $150 for it on sale back in 2016:



Most of the 3rd Gen 3.5L V6s come with a high output 130 amp alternator, the CSC1:



I have not experienced any issues with AGMs. And my daily commute is only 3 miles one way. Typical auto lead acid flood batteries last 3-4yrs around here and give out during the summer or cold snap. An AGM will go at least 5-6yrs with virtually no maintenance. In a fleet setting slightly less.

My wife's former 2014 Mazda OEM battery gave out at 1yr. We have owned many new Toyotas, and their OEM batteries lasted less than 2yrs. I had to sandblast and repaint the battery support area due to acid leakage damage on 2 of them. And I will add it happened rather quickly.

 

You can get a 7-8 stage charger and put it on the AGM every month or two. The Tacoma alternator won’t get to 14.7V float charge. But, I’m not certain the truck even uses it?

https://www.vmaxtanks.com/BC8S1215A-12V-15A-8-Stage-Smart-Battery-Charger-Maintainer-_p_218.html

 

Are you purposely ignoring the posts where people mention lighting fast cold starts with higher quality batteries? Lol

That alone (plus peace of mind) and performance when I want/need it is enough for me to want something superior to stock

 

I am not ignoring anything. Just giving you facts and numbers not subjective responses. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. But facts don't change.

And yes undercharging. A fully charged battery is 12.8 volts. Most agms require 14.2 to14.4 volts to fully charge. I think, don't know because i haven't tested it, that the charging system on thetacoma is about 13.6 to13.8. So you never see the ratings on an agm battery because best case you are 12.6 volts.

 

It's not like the stock charging system ever does an equalizing charge on the wet cell battery from the factory so to me "undercharging" would make no difference. How many drivers with a wet cell battery ever check the specific gravity or water level? The charging voltage for a glass mat or gel cell battery is not much higher and all types of lead-acid batteries would benefit from an equalizing charge every few months.

 

If mine is undercharged at 12.6V then it's not by much. Some sources state 12.6v is fully charged for all lead acid batteries including AGMs. One way to shorten a battery's life quickly is to overcharge it. It load tests fine and cranks over fast. Keep in mind I have been driving all week short trips, 3 miles one way back and forth to work so it's definitely going to be on the lower end of acceptable standing voltage.

Nobody knows how much shorter a life it will have without a periodic charge from a tender. I do plan to purchase a tender charger like Grossomotto recommended when I upgrade my wife's Camry to a Bosch AGM in a couple months.

 

@MtnFisher Hey buddy, hope you are still on here. Did you replace your tray with the second gen one? Also, what posts did you get? Looking at either the 27F that you have or doing this:

$324 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Battery

35-PC1400T.

What do you reccomend?