X2Power SLI31AGMDPM (Group 31 AGM) battery, long term user experience.

EDIT:

I've decided to go with the X2Power SLI31AGMDPM Group 31 battery instead of the Odyssey PC2150. I came to this decision mainly due to the SLI31's longer warranty (4 years) and nationwide dealer network (Batteries+Bulbs) in the event that I actually have to file a warranty claim to secure a replacement battery - although I doubt I will.

SLI31AGMDPM:

https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/marine-and-boat/deep-cycle/bci-group-31m/sli31agmdpm



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Original post:

I've been researching a group 31 battery upgrade for my '12 TRD Sport. I like the simplicity of a single battery system. I've decided that if I got this route, the Odyssey PC2150 battery (likely the ST-M - http://www.odysseybatteries.com/batteries/pc2150_series.htm) is the battery I want.



I know I will need a new mounting bracket to securely fit this behemoth (http://www.pelfreybilt.com/_p/prd1/3494213141/product/2005+-battery-cage), but my main concern is the OEM alternator's ability to charge the PC2150. During my research I ran across this thread and it raised some concerns:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diehard-platinum-31m-odyssey-31m-pc2150-charge-issues.401151/

That being said, I am very interested to hear the long term (at least one year +) experience of second gen owners who have swapped in an Odyssey PC2150. Have you encountered a similar experience to the above thread - mainly charging issues?

Thanks in advance,

 

I cant speak for this model battery specifically but I have had odyssey batteries in my motorcycles and they have been amazing, have used tons of other brands but these and a couple others stood out as quality batteries.

And I will be keeping an eye on this thread as I would love one of these in my taco.

 

Oh yeah, agreed 100%. I installed DieHard Platinums (rebadged Odysseys) in my last three Jeeps and experienced zero issues. However, those vehicles all received an OEM group size battery, nothing larger that could really be considered a significant upgrade.

 

Some great info here as well, but I would like to hear some feedback from Tacoma owners:

 

I have an Odyssey 1200 Series Battery in my car, I would not hesitate to use one in the Tacoma.

 

TTT.

I'll add that I called Pelfreybilt and spoke with one of their techs over the phone. Asked him the same questions and he said they all ran various group 31s with no issues - which is good.

To those who have installed an Odyssey PC2150 - which model did you go with?

 

Interesting, seems like the external charger is the only relevant option

 

After some research I stumbled upon some interesting information. Apparently a group of engineers left Odyssey and started Northstar batteries. Northstar rebadges its batteries for Batteries+Bulbs under the brand "X2Power". I called the Batteries+Bulbs down the street and they had a group 31 AGM X2Power battery in stock, so I purchased it online and picked it up an hour later.

I bought the marine variant SLI31AGMDPM (with dual posts of course); this is a rebadged Northstar NSB-AGM31M. It came with a 48 month warranty, which is a year more than the Northstar badged unit. Interestingly, the standard two post X2Power group 31 unit has a five year warranty - pretty damn good.

My PB battery cage is on the way. I'll bolt it in when the cage arrives and provide some feedback.

 

Sub'd

 

I had a diehard platinum battery in my 2002 Tacoma 3.4L for 7 years going strong. When the time comes I'll put one in my 2015.

 

An update.

The PB Battery Cage is on back order (even though their webpage states "In Stock", but I digress...). I spoke with Mike from PB and he stated that there is a ETA of 1-2 weeks, so at this point I'm waiting for the cage to arrive so I can mount the X2Power Group 31 and test everything out.

Once the cage is in and I have everything buttoned up, I'll reply to the thread and add an update (user experience) periodically over the life of the battery - as long as I own the truck.

For clarity, here is a stock photo and the storefront webpage of the X2Power Group 31 (SLI31AGMDPM) marine variant:

https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/marine-and-boat/deep-cycle/bci-group-31m/sli31agmdpm


I'd also like to add that I recently watched the "Power Management" video from Expedition Overland's 2016 Tacoma build video series. They installed two SLI31AGMDPMs in the bed of their '16 Tacoma to feed the team's electrical requirements. I didn't hear the brand or model mentioned at all in the narration - so it sounds like the batteries were not supplied for free from a sponsor (no shout out or plug that you'll hear in the rest of these videos when mentioning build components). This leads me to believe that they actually had to buy the batteries and therefore put some thought into the pricepoint/warranty/performance aspects of their battery selection for the build - which I think is a good thing for us regular joes and a great endorsement for this battery.

Some screenshots:



Link to the aforementioned video:
https://youtu.be/oSX2KQZtkk8

 

Sub

 

I owe this thread a more thorough update, but this will have to do for now. I'll get some photos up this weekend.

I installed the PB Battery Cage and the X2Power Group 31 on November 22, the day before a 2,000-mile meandering drive halfway across the country - not the best thing to do, but I had a tight schedule and needed the space in my truck for the drive (which was also a move to El Paso - from NC - for a year of work). I had to lengthen the power wire for the OEM under hood fuse panel / distribution box, but other than that, it was a bolt in, plug and play modification. The Group 31 AGM battery is a beast... It fires the engine up in a heartbeat, no hesitation at all from the starter. I've also ran my ARB fridge for two days without starting the engine to maintain the battery, granted the temps have been rather low here and the fridge hasn't really worked that hard... but its a good sign.

 

bump

 

Here are some photos of the X2Power Group 31 installed in the PB Battery Cage. I'm going to tidy the cables/wires up in the near future, but for now this works.

 

Update?

Does the size of the battery make oil filter changes a pain?

 

Not really. I slide it in from the front and the rotate it up to engage the threads.

The X2Power Group 31 is still going strong. No complaints or regrets with the modification.

 

I fully charge the battery via an AGM battery wall charger once a month to fully top it off. I would say it takes about 3-4 hours for the battery to register "CHARGED" and the charger to enter "MAINTAIN" mode. From what I've read this is good maintenance in general for an automotive battery.

Again, no issues to report. I've ran my ARB fridge off of this battery for five days straight (with an outside temps of 80*/50*). The real test will come this summer when it heats up considerably and the fridge has to really work to stay cool. However, with the weekend trips I do, the single Group 31 is perfect. I generally park the truck and use the vehicle as a base camp for 3-4 days while hiking; during that time the Group 31 has no problem running the fridge and my LED work lights at the rear of the camper shell (which I probably use for an hour or so every night when prepping/cooking dinner). I too find a dual battery set-up to be more than what I really need. Simplicity is generally better anyway.

 

No low voltage from what I can tell. It takes a lot of effort to get this battery below 12v. I have my fridge set at an automatic 11.8v cut off and it has yet to power down due to low voltage.

Yes, my truck has the factory tow package.

 

@yonah how did you extend the cable wires? I tried to install X2power battery today but the secondary (smaller wire) wouldn't reach.