Are all batteries the same?

LoL. But it did make me think of an idea. I have these flexible plastic cutting boards/pads. I'm gonna cut a square and glue it to the underside of the hood.

Kinda like these:

 

If they come unglued and hit the fan ...

 

That'll work, I'd just use a piece of Buna N material since I have a crap load of it, basically the same stuff toolbox drawer liner is made of.

 

Then it'll sound like a kid with a playing card in his bicycle spokes! That's a win in my book

 

Not all batteries are the same construction. Perhaps all lead acid batteries are, but absorbed glass mat in the case of Optima batteries are in rolls, that's why they have the cylindrical shapes in their cases. Odyssey batteries and many others are in stacked sheets.

Many say Optimas have gone down in quality, but I think they've always sucked compared to an Odyssey.

For those of you with issues where your vehicle sits idle for long periods of time, and those living in extreme climates, my dad has a boat with dual

$259 Odyssey PC925 ODYSSEY ODYSSEYODYODS-AGM28L

Odyssey PC925's, and he just doesn't get it out as much as he used to. That boat sits the whole winter, he climbs in it and it's torched off every time for the last 8 years he's owned it.

Don't misquote me and think I'm telling you it's a good idea to let any battery sit for long durations of time. What should really be done to extend their life is the battery should be put on a battery tender that is rated for the battery's amp cycle.

It can be hugely detrimental and it's also going to shorten the life to discharge AGM batteries repeatedly, which I believe is true for lead acid. You can also ruin AGM batts by charging them with an older standard battery charger, they often cut off the voltage too early and don't fully charge AGM batteries which shorten their life or they overcharge them which can mean death.

If you don't offroad you may have no need for one. They offer the advantage to the offroader of standing up against vibration and can be mounted in any position because they aren't filled with fluid, but in my opinion and the opinions of others who have owned them, an Odyssey battery is rarely if ever a purchase you'll regret

 

So how do you determine what a good battery is and what works right for you?

I have no problems dropping some coin on a battery if it means I likely will get some good time out of it. I'm just having a hard time determining what battery to get. I have no mods that run off the battery except for my AMP running boards.
I really just want a great battery that will function for a long period of time. Is that recommended 24F or 27F, or 31 (or something I have no idea what these numbers mean)?

 

Your 2nd gen likely came from the factory with a group 27F. The size should be marked on the battery.

1st gens mostly came with a group 35 sized battery but can fit a group 24F with no modifications.

Battery sizes, as in increasing capasity of reserve and cold cranking amp: 35, 24, 27, 31. The "F" indicator, 24F or 27F, means the positive (+) post is on the correct spot for both 1st and 2nd gens.

 

You can get an AGM battery for a decent price if you go the Sears DieHard Odyssey clone route. There is really no comparison between that battery and pretty much anything else on the market except for maybe Northstar. The Optimas (AGMs) are fine but they don't really stack up to the newer styles due to the extra real estate from rectangular rather than cylindrical plates and I hear Optima manufacture is not what it used to be.

Here is the test by Four Wheeler that convinced me to go Odyssey/DieHard. It is a great read. Granted if you don't have a winch you might consider it overkill but AGMs have other advantages in terms of total life, shelf life, maintenance, leaking, inverted use, cold/hot weather, charging rate, capacity, safety, and again they are not that much more expensive if you don't need the Odyssey branding. Almost all batteries picked for high end stereo work are AGMs as well.

Here is Odyssey's table of specs for their batteries (size, CCA, etc). The 31 size (PC2150) is obviously near the top but you can choose a smaller size closer to the stock battery (24F I think?) if cost/demand is a factor. I'd go the DieHard route if it was available since it is the same battery in the 31 size and maybe some smaller sizes as well.

 

So do I need to focus on that number when I live in a mild climate that rarely sees below 0F in the winter? Are those indicators of battery life?

 

Did you know that Odyssey is no longer making batteries for Sears. They lost that contract last year.

There are no guarantees on battery life. It mostly depends on how you treat it. Hot desert climes generally shorten battery life. Cold climes can deplete a charge on any battery, life expectancy will depend on how deeply and how often the battery gets discharged. Starting batteries do not like to be discharged.

 

@Digiratus
Oh wow. Good to know. I didn't even hear a rumor of that when I researched mine in November.

Yeah the battery size numbers are just age old conventions and don't have any meaning in terms of capacity. I just got the biggest I could fit/afford in the space available. If you pull the plastic box spacer out you can (I could) fit a 31 series in the stock location. The battery is so heavy though that I got a cage to mount it more securely.

I thought I had a pic of the stock mount with 31 series but here is someone else who did it:

 

That is what the web is claiming. It pans out when you try to find one to buy too. Hell, Sears is even selling Optimas now.

http://www.sears.com/automotive-batteries-car-batteries/b-1100206

 

How about a Deka Dominator (Intimidator?) AGM batteries? Costs less (150-180) than Odyssey and is available locally for me. Made in USA by East Penn.

 

I think it would be hard to go wrong with a name brand AGM. Maybe give them a call to make sure the terminals are in the right spot since I only see marine batteries on their website. Ask them to recommend an AGM for vehicle use, something comparable to a 27F or 24F if that's the size you need.

 

The 9A34R
http://www.eastpennmanufacturing.com/wp-content/uploads/Intimidator-Automotive-Flyer-1737.pdf

 

What are the advantages of going with an AGM? Just less corrosion?

 

Check out links in #8 and 10.
Generally speaking, agms offer spill proof design, vibration resistant, quicker recharge, higher cycle life and near deep cycle qualities with higher CCA's.