Looking for group 31 battery suggestions.

So I'm looking to upgrade to a group 31 battery to run my fridge/accessories when I go camping. On our second generation Tacoma we ran the Optima Bluetop 31:

$400 OPTIMA Batteries High Performance D31M BlueTop Dual Purpose Deep Cycle and Starting Sealed AGM Boat and RV Battery, 900 CCA, Dual Terminal, Maintenance Free, Versitile Mounting

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00099DW6...olid=1UV8W73CF2RSD&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

This was a great battery but wanted to see if anyone had any other suggestions on some group 31 batteries that I should consider before I get another Optima. The Optima allowed us to never be stranded in the truck even when running the fridge for a few days without starting the truck. I'll have a few lights, fridge, compressor and eventually a winch attached to the battery.

Love to hear what people are using...

 

This

 

That one does have some more CCA and AH capacity to the Optima at the exchange of higher cost and higher weight. Any specific reason you'd suggest that one specifically?

 

So you are just upgrading the starting battery, right, not adding a secondary battery?

 

Yes, that is correct. Just planning to run one battery for the time being. Haven't come into an instance where I need dual batteries with a group 31.

 

Not sure about the difference, a buddy of mine gave it to me!

 

Haha. Well alright then.

 

$430 Odyssey 34R-PC1500T Automotive/Light Truck and Van Battery

Odyssey 34R-PC1500T. Fits in the factory tray. Only downside is since it’s an AGM battery you need a wall charger every month or so or after every time you pull winch on it.

 

Yup, dang lucky, he bought two for a project and decided to get rid of them. Even a blind pig can get a truffle from time to time!

 

Don't pigs SNIFF them out?

 

I'm specifically looking for a group 31. I have a larger battery tray already for the larger 31 size. I'm not a fan of having to hook up and charge something as additional maintenance if I can avoid it.

 

I bought a 2nd hand Northstar 31 it’s manufacturing date is 5 years old now and still kicking hard.

 

You can get by without properly charging an AGM, but your battery capacity and memory will get stuck at around 80%

 

I'm waiting on one of those voltage boosters for my 2nd gen... hoping it'll be here soon. Shipped from Australia. Also hoping my battery hasn't lost too much capacity yet. Haven't been running it very long.

 

That is a powerful mother! Just wish it was a little lighter. 15lbs heavier than the Optima but certainly a contender.

 

Oh for sure had to use a step ladder to get it in and the frontend dropped about 1/4in.

 

Are these voltage boosters a must? I ran the Optima for 2 years with many camping trips with fridge and winch but never used anything like this.

 

I think what was mentioned above by @SearArtist sounds right. I have two D27M optimas as house batteries, each connected individually to a Noco Gen2 charger. Those two batteries charged infrequently always seem to be sitting at higher voltage than my Optima yellow top 27 under the hood. That's what has driven me to order the voltage booster.

 

So can I just hook up to the voltage booster a few times a year and be good or do I need to get a battery monitor to keep a closer eye on the voltage?

 

there are no voltage boosters for 3rd gens. You have to have an external charger...or eventually there will be a OVtune with higher charging capability written into the tune, but you’ll be spending much more on that, versus what a CTEK charger costs ($100).

or you can just slap it in and call it a day, but you’re going to lose ~20% capacity of the battery by not giving it the juice it needs to properly charge.