Upgrading the battery

How did you get that graph?

 

Been running dual yellow tops for a couple of years now, no issues. Had a Duralast Platinum in the wife's IS-F. 1st one died under warranty I think around the 2.5 year mark and was replaced. Second one lasted 18 months. Replaced with a Costco Interstate. AZ heat is tough on batteries, but the yellow tops seem fine for now.

 

Got a link to a good tutorial on how to set up a dual battery in a 3rd gen on the cheap? I see some kits, but they are pricey even without the extra battery. Honestly, I'm on the fence on whether or not I really need it. My biggest draw is my occasional use of the winch. I don't have lights or anything like that as of the moment... maybe in the future, but I'm torn on whether or not to go dual battery. If I can do it for super cheap, I might go ahead and do it.

 

I’m in the same boat as you. Winch and a few additional lights and an ARB single compressor. I didn’t think dual batteries were for me. I just went with an AGM battery which will work just well for the winch. To me, dual batteries are for those with a fridge or those needing long term off the grid power without running the truck.

 

Screen shot from my phone. It is not OEM. It is for a third party monitoring app. There are several OBD plug in scanner options that let you track more aspects of your truck than the dash gauges, and more in depth for the ones you do have dash gauges for.

 

The cheapest dual battery set up is just carry around an extra battery. If your main drains below starting levels, just swap them or jump it.

Also, you can use an extra AGM battery in the bed and run a fairly cheap solar panel, if you do a lot of camping.

 

Is the Northstar 24f a perfect fit in the stock spot for 3rd Gens? There's a deal where i can get one for $217 in my area right now. Probably don't need a battery quite like this for my use, but I imagine it'll last longer than most I can get around here.

 

Yep, same as stock. Just get it, you wont be sorry. At that price, your looking at less than $22. a year for 10 years(thats about what they are good for).

 

I just installed a 24F "X2Power Premium AGM Battery" by NorthStar. Batteries + Bulbs had 20% off and it still cost $260. My Toyota battery wasn't giving me any trouble but at 3 1/2 years old and driving across the country once in awhile it gives me peace of mind. I hear people say these batteries will last up to ten years, I guess I'll find out.
Robert

 

Putting it on a charger once a month means it’s properly charged once a month for maybe 12 hrs? For the rest of the month it’s not fully charged. Plus, a charger designed for sla batteries will read 100% charged when an agm battery isn’t at 100% so if you use the wrong charger you won’t get even those 12 hrs.

 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but is there any reason why everyone is using a $55 factory tray to use a group 27F battery instead of buying a regular aftermarket 27F battery tray for like $8-15? I mean like I like factory parts but I’d like to save that money if I can. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would assume because the factory one is a direct bolt in with no modifications. Guessing the generic aftermarket one would most likely need work to make it fit.

 

I went back and forth on a couple of batteries after mine crapped out (out of the blue) Wednesday morning. I ended up with the Interstate MTX-24F AGM battery. We'll see how it works over time.

 

Old thread I know, but after 4 years on the OEM 24F I bought the OEM 27F 2nd gen battery tray for $28 a few months ago as I knew my battery would soon be 4 years old and on borrowed time. So yesterday I checked my 24F and its was 100%. My luck it would die soon so off to the dealership and bought a 27F Truestart with a 2 year/ 84 prorated warranty. I got the battery for $130 and put it in this morning. Went in just perfect, lots of room, no issues and I can say it starts so much easier and seems to start quicker than my 24F. I know it may be in my head but maybe the orginal battery was on its last leg, didn't want to chance it as I know the time would come it wouldn't start, nice piece of mind now!

 

Old threads rock.

 

How's that AGM battery working out? and are you using it with the stock alternator charging voltage?

 

Hi KT, the AGM battery is working well in the Tacoma. Stock alternator. I do charge battery every month or two with Noco Genius 10 charger to maximize battery health with its AGM setting. Time will tell, it always does. 27 months, so far all good! Robert

 

I have been running an AGM battery for over a year with no issues and have yet to top it off