AGM battery options?

Hey all, what are you guys running for 27F AGM batteries?

 

I would stay away from those batteries. They are not worth the money. I would buy a good conventional battery, that's what I'm going to do this fall. My battery is 8 years old, and was weak at times last winter. I checked prices, and there is no way I'm paying more than double for an AGM. I had an Optima battery one time years ago, and that one didn't last long at all before it failed. it would just go dead while the truck sat for a week or so. The battery I replaced it with didn't do that, so I know the problem was with that battery, and not the truck.

 

This is the bad boy that I put in my truck. I am going to be installing a winch and a 2000 watt inverter. I want to be able to run a Skillsaw or a Keurig off my truck and have plenty of reserve capacity.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli31agmdpm

 

I was considering the X2 as well.

@1moonshine2, the reason for using AGM batteries primarily involves off-roading and overlanding. They handle vibrations, constant movement, and extreme angles and conditions far better than a conventional battery. It’s well known Optima are no longer good options. A solid AGM is most definitely worth the money when you are off grid.

 

That's not good advice depending on what he's doing. I upgraded to a Bosch 94R AGM with 80AH to run my fridge. You cannot drain a conventional battery and recharge it back to life like you can an AGM. Now, I work for an auto parts company and received a hefty discount which is nice, but the Bosch was still priced well v. others. There's pics in the link below if you want to see how it fits.

 

The original post didn't mention any special uses. I thought some people just want one because they want one. I still wouldn't buy one for my use, way too expensive. If you have a use for one, then have at it.

 

I've heard good things about Northstar, which is what the X2 that @Muddinfun linked actually is. Never tried one myself, but I'll be considering one whenever the battery that came in my truck kicks the bucket.

I will say I've had poor experiences with both Optima and Odyssey batteries. First Optima was a pre-Johnson Controls that was an absolute beast. Starting with a friend of mine dropping a crescent wrench across the terminals while I was installing it cuz he thought it was hilarious (nothing caught on fire, so I suppose in hindsight it was) and ended up with someone stealing it, still working, out of the demo derby car me and the same friend ran, 8 years later. But my 2nd, post-JCI Optima, was cranking slow after 2 years in my lowly old Civic. I totalled the car before it actually died, but with how it was working by then, and how many more I've seen die in 18-24 months, I'm not paying the premium they bring.

A total of 4 Odysseys from when they were sold as Diehard Platinum got replaced between my old Tacoma and my old Subaru. The original and 2 replacements in the truck all went at 1-year intervals, and the one in the car died at 2 years IIRC. For what I paid I'm glad I got them from Sears and before Sears disappeared, cuz I would've been pissed to not have easy warranty replacement for them.

If you decide to go with a Northstar I'd recommend buying it from Batteries+ for the same reason, unless you have some other local source. They do give a rather generous warranty period, and a pretty wide presence if you need to warranty it.

Honestly though, unless you're doing a lot of wheeling that might beat a lead-acid to death, I'm not sure that AGM is worth it. I've been a proponent of them for years. Other than my old Optima, the only ones I haven't had an issue from were 2 Deka/East Penns- one the warranty replacement for the Odyssey in my old Subaru after Sears stopped rebranding them, and the Napa one I put in my old Tacoma once the last warranty Odyssey went up. But I didn't have either of them all that long to say they lasted longer than a flooded battery.

 

X2 or Northstar. How much is a tow/jump when you are stranded? Made in USA, at least it was when I got mine a few months ago.

 

I live in FL and heat kills regular batteries within 3 years - they last a lot longer in cooler/cold climates so I bought the Advance AGM Battery size 24F - 710CCA $158. (3 year warranty) from Advance Auto. After 4 years it was still in perfect condition but put a new one in anyway as I tow my boat and with the ramps do not ever want a dead battery! Old one is my backup one now for longer off road trips.
As a note if you order online usually a 20% or 25% discount. So really about $50 more than a regular wet acid battery - up to you.

 

I also have an X2 power and love it. Had a odyssey 24f in my 5th gen, but the 27 has a good amount more AH. I have been able to power my Dometic CFX50 for 3+ days off of it with only small bits of trail driving mixed in. I also like that I can warranty it out if needed at any batteries plus that has it in stock.

 

Looking at the Bosch AGM 24 series online, $170. It’s made by Exide, not sure of the quality.

My current Duralast crap will live in a battery box in the bed to power accessories, tended by a solar panel on the trail.

 

NSB-AGM27F. FWIW, there are periodic Group Buys for these. (Unfortunately, the most recent one just ended, so it'll probably be several months before the next.)

Don't forget a Voltage Booster to properly charge your AGM battery.

 

I just replaced my battery yesterday with a Everstart 24f from Walmart. It was $95. I have no clue why people spend upwards of $300 for a battery. I guess its the same crowd that buys YETI coolers.

 

TacomaMike37, for the reasons stated above, folks go with an AGM when traveling to remote areas, extreme conditions, and heavy draws. For normal road use there is no point, but we’re talking about a totally different use of the vehicle.

 

I have the X2 from batteries plus as well. I can tailgate all day and run 2 tv's and a small fridge, a large speaker and an electric grill through an inverter with the engine off for 8 hours while throwing back roughly a billion coors lights with the boys and the engine turned over no problem.

 

You used a boat battery? Direct swap, or did you add this and now running two?