Battery recomendation

108k with OEM battery, it’s finally starting to quit. I heard optima isn’t a solid choice anymore. I don’t have any extra electronics, might add a winch to my bumper though sometime soon. Any recommendations?

 

NorthStar

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-northstar-agm-battery-voltage-booster-upgrade.604478/

 

Is there a good place to buy them? Will a deep cycle help in the winter?

 

‘I got mine in a TW group buy. Should be a current vendor on TW

 

Wally World!

 

I always thought that a marine/deep cycle was a poor choice for a truck battery.

On their pro side, marine batteries not only have a greater amp hour rating than starter batteries, but they can safely discharge to a lower rate. With these batteries you can regularly use up to 80% of their charge capacity without significantly shortening their life. Or in other words, discharge from 12.9V (100% full) to 11.9V (20%). Compare that to a regular old starter battery that you absolutely shouldn't let it discharge below 50% (12.3V) and ideally, keep it above 80% (12.7V). Therefore on a typical group 24 marine with a 65 Ah capacity, you are squeezing 52 Ah or 650Wh out of a single charge. And that's way more than most campers need. And again compare that to a starter battery with "120 minute reserve capacity" (50 Ah) which would be an effective mere 25 Ah or 260Wh before hitting the 50% mark.

On the minus side, and why I think they are not ideal, is that in the real world your deep cycle is going to have a short life span. A good G24 marine has 550 CCA, while a typical starter has 750. Rule of thumb is that a well treated battery loses 10% of it's cranking amps per year. And going by the very unscientific but oft repeated rule of thumb of 2CCA per cubic inch, you need a minimum of 425 amps to turn the 3.5 motor. Notice how your marine suddenly has a little over 2 years of theoretical life versus a hair over 5 years for a standard starter.


That's why I hate deep cycles. TLDR: a deep cycle might have twice the effective reserve, but half the effective lifespan. You would be replacing batteries twice as quickly.
If you're really needing the extra capacity, run a temporary second battery for your accessories. But that's me and my weird opinions.

 

My battery gave me the sign it is time to replace it last week. I will be replacing it with a quality direct replacement. The factory one has lasted a little over 5 years and 76,800kms. I could probably go another few months but it's starting to get cold now... better to change now then when the truck won't start.

 

Went Napa legend just to see what all the hype is about

 

I got the Napa AAA battery deal, being a member of both.

 

The Walmart Maxx batteries have a three year free replacement warranty. Made by Johnson Controls....I've had very good service from them.

 

East Penn/Deka is what I would go with. Made outside of Allentown, PA.

 

Thats exactly why I’m doing it. Truck sat for two days in what I consider warm winter weather…20-30ish and it was dead as a door nail. Took half the noco charger to get it started.

 

you are a wealth of knowledge! Thank you for explaining that to me I would have never known. And I’ll take all this into consideration when I decide on my next battery tomorow

 

is that a good or a bad thing that you would need service on a three year battery

 

also a member and had no idea about this

 

The Premium AAA Battery is made by East Penn.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BAT8424FAAA

 

I went with a Die Hard Platinum 24f. If you go with the regular lead acid it's a 4 year free replacement. The AGM is 3 year free replacement. They sell them at Car Quest/Advance or Firestone. I'm in Arizona where the heat eats batteries so the 4 year free replacement was a no brainer for me. The factory battery didn't even make it 1.5 years on my '20. Now I'm covered for 4 years and don't have to worry about going back to the dealer. I'll probably swap that thing out a couple times in 4 years.

 

^^^^^ Agree^^^^^
DEKA has served me well for many years both at work and for personal use.

 

I didn't say that I needed service in three years, but that I got good service out of those batteries. And a three year free replacement warranty is good in my book.