When to replace original battery?

The reason I recently purchased the Osessey 2150S was that I thought my battery was shot (been about years I think on a SEARs batt). I couldn't start the truck on two mornings (yes it was cold). Started searching for batteries and these AGM batteries caught my eye. They offer alot of perks. Eveyone has seen the Optamss' here in the threads I think. The deal on this brand new batterey was too good to pass up. Some are probably aware of the specs on these batteries but they dont get topped off with water and in fact are completely sealed some use gel and/or some sort of fiberglass technologies along with the highest purity lead. I'm not even clear on all this and probably should look at it all more closely now that I have one. Iwas working on the truck again today and was able to pull the cables to get some of any remaining slack out... crimped a new fitting on the negative terminal and was barely able to get all the mil-spec post fittings tightened up with the cable lugs on. Not perfect. I dont like how tight the cables are coming over the top of the battery but will suffice for because now I can atleast get the truck out of my garage and bring to a shop to "fix" the temporary fit. As far as charging and maintaining the battery: again. No fluid top-offs necessary because this not what I think they call a "flooded " or "fluid" battery. O Bought the latest-greatest charger available... a Norco G15000 which charge just about any type battery out there... lithium, AGM, 12V blah, blah. Also has what is called a "repair feature" which is suppose to use pulse tech to help revive an old or failing battery. Not sure if it works but might be a nice-to-have thing. dirt on top ofbattery? Nope. I'm anal about my truck and clean the engine compartment routinely. Spary it down with diluted simply green and lightly pressure wash. Usually before an oil change or before bringing to a shop for any sort of service. Mechanics love it! I also enjoy working under the hood without all the mess. Anyways.. thanks to all for the tips. Think I'm covered for now. happy holidays!

 

I'll also add that I think these Odessey batteries of this type (and made by a few manufacturers) are used in semi trucks, heavy-duty construction equipment... marine applications of course. I'm all for industrial. Claims are it can be drained down 80% and still start a vehicle. I think thats the beauty of these deel cycle batteries. yes? If its good enough for a semi, it might be overkill for a 1st gen but... I like the idea of having it in my Tacoma!

 

You will know when it's time to replace it.

 

I've had a couple go dead over the years. Maybe bad luck but they all just failed to crank one day. My new AGM battery should be here next week.

 

It's funny, after all this battery talk, my moms 1.5 yr old Autozone battery bit the dust. Just never know when a battery decides to call it quits.

 

That's a bummer, hope it didnt leave her stranded.

 

Ironically my wifes Honda CRV battery was shot this week too. Same problem with cold mornings. It was gone. Failed on two separate days. Got to fixing that that just yesterday actually. Which kept me from working on my own battery dilemma (if not the wife its kids... diversions, diversions from my truck). Anyway... I didnt go high end but still went with an Champion AGM battery for her car too. Pepboys had a sale going so googled for AGMs for a Honda CRV. Got one for her car too. part that sucked was that even thoigh I charged it before picking up the new battery... it wouldnt even start in the Pepboys parking lot. Thought I was past those days of installing parts AT THE AUTOPARTS STORE but had to do it with a simple pair of borroed pliers. Then had to mess with that battery too! Barely fit. Had to take out the plastic bottom tray just like my Tacoma! Same scenario. Funny now (but not at the time, it was raining). Tight fit but it works. Good deal. Got my $400 battery for $200 for the Tacoma and her $180+ AGM battery for family car at $140. I hope these AGMs are as good as the specs state. If so .. both our vehicles are good for at least 5 years..

 

My wife has a CRV also. They put way too small batteries in those. It’s a 2013 and I’m on battery #2.

 

Yea. Tight fit in those CRVs. However there seems to be enough room to get something in there slightly bigger than stock... The hold down brackets are usually adjustable with those J-brackets (honda has two)... or torch and bend brackets as I did with the Tacoma. Bigger battery= more buffer for powering electronics and quick charging (ie deep cycling batteries).

 

Curious. Which AGM manufacturuer did you with? ...and why you ultimately went with an AGM?

 

I had signed up for the Northstar GB but backed out before I paid as Batteries Plus was running some promos which allowed me to get the X2 (rebranded Northstar) for $5 more with a year longer warranty. As far as why, I understand well the law of diminishing returns so I will not claim that the AGM is twice as good as a standard flooded battery but they are more reliable and have more power than the standard 27F. Plus I wont lie, I like nice things and I can afford it. One less thing to think about for the next five years.

 

I made a similar thread as yours about 2 years ago, after getting 6 years out of an OEM battery with winter approaching. The general consensus was not to push my luck and just replace it, and low and behold a few weeks after that thread was made my battery died, but was lucky enough to get it replaced before it left me stranded. Penny wise pound foolish is a good term that comes to mind when being a battery scrooge.

Group buys are a great way to get a low price on something I need. When I see group buys for batteries it doesn't make sense for something that could die before the warranty and not be able to switch it out quickly. I like the convenience of buying a battery locally and if I ever have a problem there would be no shipping involved and it cheaper too. Say what you want about Consumer Reports, but the WalMart Everstart is their best buy at $94 with battery exchange and no hassle return.

 

AGM batteries are VERY similar to a conventional lead acid battery.
The physical difference is that there are fiberglass pads in between the plates, hence AGM "Absorbent Glass Mat". Its just layers of fiberglass.

The fiberglass pads serve three perposes;
1) They create a physical barricade between the plates, so that they cannot come in contact with each other through deformation or shock,
2) They suspend the liquid in the battery so that it remains in contact with the plates even when the battery is inverted,
3) They reduce the flow of fluid, which reduces the damage caused to the battery by overdrawing them.

So basically, they are more resilient against taking a physical beating or being overdrawn. In a typical automotive environment (i.e., commuting... which does NOT include offroading, rolling the vehicle upside down, or significant use of electrical equipment like winches for recovery), they don't offer any advantage.

 

I'm no expert, but I believe:

They tend to have a faster rate of charge, thus they recover from the load of starting faster and are in a state of full charge for longer periods. This is great for vehicles that take short trips.

They are more resistant to vibration. Good for city drivers, the roads suck. Vibration happens in almost any driving.

They are more resistant to sulfation.

They hold a charge better and longer while setting.

I'd say they offer a large number of advantages. They are clearly just a better technology. Particularly if you have upgraded your sound system or any other electrics or you tow. In general, they just last longer and work better.

That said I was in no hurry to replace my factory battery. When it did die though, I replaced it with a store brand agm battery from car quest and I don't regret that a bit.

 

My battery is slowly cranking. It’s an Interstate installed in July 2014. I just cleaned the terminals and posts, but didn’t seem to help.
Had it tested at a dealership today. Not much cranking amps.
Any consensus on a battery replacement?

 

I don't think there really is. Most like agm but lots of folks just go to Wal-Mart and get a cheap everstart and do fine with them.

Most seem to say optima quality has gone down, many people seem to like Northstar.

I like the agm batteries but I went with a basic agm from carquest, whatever their house brand was. It's only been a couple years I think so I can't really say if I'll get good life, but so far so good.

Good luck.

 

Thanks vwbuggsy! Got some research to do tonight.

 

I used the Advance Auto Silver group 27 battery. They had a sale and a 20% off online coupon. I replaced my oem battery at 5 years of age preventatively before the winter cold. You may be able to use that type of battery and upgrade to the group 27 (tow package) battery for the extra reserve power and probably less cost than agm. I also use those green and red treated felt washers. They keep corrosion to a minimum.