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

I ended getting a terminal connector that made it barely long enough. There is a write up somewhere on TW on how to take apart the fuse box. Requires placing multiple zip ties on the attachment tabs. Let me see if I can find the thread.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-box-battery-wire-replacement-upgrade.420450/

Btw I had to replace the red wire. Kept the small black cable going to the fuse box stock.

 

Ah, yes. The only part of this mod that wasn't plug-and-play.

I cut about a 4.5-5" pigtail of AWG 6 (I think). Not 100% on the gauge size, but it's whatever the stock wire is that feeds the under hood fuse block. I solder slugged two eyelets on it and used marine-grade heat shrink on the connectors.

Then all you have to do it connect it to the old wire. I used a short bolt with a lock washer. Cranked it down as tight as it would go. Coated it with some liquid electrical tape, and then wrapped the entire connection point with a large piece of marine-grade heat shrink for good measure. This keeps moister out, isolates the connection, and basically wraps the nut in place. It will never loosen.

I have over 12k miles on this modification now. Lots of forest service and BLM roads. Schnebly Hill in Sedona and the White Rim in Moab. No issues to report, still holding strong.

I didn't want to cut the old wire and solder on an extension or anything like that. I prefer to keep OEM wiring harnesses intact. It makes the modification reversible if you ever need to revert to the OEM set up.

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Here's a screen cap of the pigtail from one of my earlier photos:



Please let me know if you need any further info or photos.

 

This would be the preferred long term solution. I was strapped for time when I swapped in my Group 31. I took the Taco for a cross country trip the next day ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Add this to the list. I may have to undertake this cable swap in the fall. I need to catch up on some nickel and dime projects that have been put off for awhile.

 

Thanks for the help guys .

 

Have this exact set up sitting in the garage right now, just need to modify the wiring to get it back together

 

Hey @yonah can you post up some more pics of the extension, I'm about to tackle it today at some point hopefully. This is the only thing holding me back is the extension part.

Did you just do the small wire to the fuse box or the big wire going to the alternator or wherever it goes

 

It will be a few days before I can get some photos, but I am certainly willing to help you out.

 

Good thread. On the fence if I want to go dual or single 31M like you have done.

It'd be interesting to see a side by side comparison of how many days say a 50L fridge would last on a single vs. dual setup

 

@Toynado

If you're spending a lot of time in the bush, I honestly think you would be better off with a Group 31 and a modest solar setup to keep the battery topped off. Nothing crazy, just enough to feed the fridge. Most fridges have a surprisingly low amp draw, even when they run continuously. The price will still be below what a dual battery set up would run - at least one that is set up correctly.

My plan is to eventually install a small flexible solar panel over my cab. The technology is getting more efficient every year and prices continually go down. However, right now the Group 31 does fine by itself. I very rarely run my fridge for more than two days before moving to another campsite etc. I don't like to stay in one place very long.

 

For anyone who is interested, I detailed my complete auxiliary power system in this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-off-your-aux-fuse-panels.308677/page-16#post-15840426

The X2Power Group31 is still going strong. No issues to report.

 

Fwiw I abused an x2 power in a truck pulling 1800 rms or so to power 4 sundown sd8's in a ported box and never killed mine. While running four pods and a lightbar as rocklights.

Ran strong for over 3 years of constant draw for bass til I sold it. Only drained it once when I left my "rock lights" on for two hours in a parking lot with the truck off. On a 20 degree night.

 

I don't plan on running a fridge, but do you think your same setup could run a fan or 2, plus charge some phones overnight? I'm trying to decide if I want to go the 31 route vs. dual battery.

 

You would be fine charging the phones. Once they're charged, the power consumption drops considerably as they simply maintain a full charge.

With the fan I think it would depend on the amp draw of the unit in question.

 

Finally got the X2power battery installed. Had to buy a longer battery cable and bolted together to the factory one. I put liquid electrical tape and heat shrink together.

 

Looks good!

 

subbed, I have a Diehard Platinum (Odyssey) in my jeep and it's still running strong 7 years later, multiple deep discharges (oops), 4 NE winters and 3 Arizona summers

 

odyssey about the best you can get add an upgraded alternator w 0g wire

 

^^^^^^good to hear

My Odyseey 31M arrived in the mail yesterday and have a Pelfreybilt cage to put it in once I get some time this week.

 

Hey all!

So I live in tucson which ruins batteries fast. But I am personally having a bad experience with an optima red. The battery started to die randomly at about two years and the receipt is lost; couldn't claim warranty. To I'm about to commit and buy the x2power group 31 battery. But I'm being indecisive and can't decide between the the regular battery $348.23 (10% discount) with a 5 year warranty or the marine battery $391.47 (same discount) 4 year warranty. I already have the group 31 SS cage by pelfreybilt, plan on doing the 2 gauge wire upgrade referenced above. I wouldn't be taking advantage of the double hook up for a minimum of 6 months, but I need a new battery by next weekend; hunting season is going full swing and I got an awesome GSP puppy to train

I'm basically down to an extra year of warranty versus convenience (but a lot of extra work hooking up baseman and etc). I'm hooking up a new winch next weekend as well and plan to get a couple new light bars over the next 6 months. I don't know if I'll ever hook up a fridge or get an arb cooler. I would like to be able to charge electronics with the car turned off, just like my wife's bmw x5. I use the truck bed outlet/inverter as for an electric tea kettle and other junk while luxury camping.

I'm leaning toward just the standard battery, but i'm being an indecisive little b!tch. Any words of wisdom from experience would be greatly appreciated.