Yellow Top, Red Top, or Otherwise?

Back in the day, I was running 3, 4, 5 wenches at a time in my rigs.


Winch... winch is the word I was attempting to type.

 

I lived in TX until recently, and as with you, it was the heat that'd kill them. They're more cold tolerant in normal exposure than heat tolerant (it can easily push up to the upper heat tolerances during summer months).

 

Stay with wench. It's much more exotic. LOL

 

In the other thread I linked, it shows that the Taco's charging system isn't rated for the higher requirements of AGM batteries. That could for sure be a factor. Your garden variety lead acid battery will easily last 3 years for not much money. It'll be more delicate, for sure and not a great choice for the Taco being used for offroad fun, so my guess is that the AGM batteries aren't going to last any longer without inadequate charging, but will be more robust when measured against LA batteries for physical tolerance.

I have a voltage meter in my truck, and sure enough it will sometimes peak out at 14.1VDC. That's the highest I think I've ever seen. Optima, on their site HERE, click on the "Charging your AGM Battery" section, and you'll see they advertise that they *can* be charged at stock charging voltages of our Tacos. However that's strange because they also state they require a higher charge voltage than LA batteries, which is what the Taco tends to generate. There's a bit of a catch 22 there, but it doesn't explain the glowing reviews from those who have had those batteries for a really long time.

A mystery is afoot!

 

I run a Batteries Plus X2 in my truck. Hard to beat the warranty (48 month free replacement, non pro rated) and I believe the X2 is actually made by Northstar or Odyssey. I was beating up my old LA batteries offroad to the point to where they seemed to be leaking a bit. AGM made sense for that reason. $0.02 of opinion.

Just be warned the X2 tends to be a bit taller than the stock lead-acid battery so you'll need to update your battery hold downs.

 

I think, in the VAST majority of cases where people were dissatisfied with Optima it was due, in large part, to the fact that AGMs have a different set of requirements than Lead Acid and they didn't understand that.

Optimas are available everywhere. Odyssey and Northstar are less available and they are generally available at places that have more understanding of an AGMs needs. Also, they are nearly double the price. Typically, someone who is installing an Odyssey or NS (or more accurately HAVING one installed) is going to also address the inefficiencies of a stock charging system in one way or another.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/agm-battery-charging-alternator-voltage-booster.611314/

 

People that had them for years never had a new one that was manufactured in Mexico and dies in a year or two. Personal belief is to avoid them because the money you would presumably save won't pay for a tow truck when it strands me on a long trip or offroad.

This has all been done before by lots of people so read those other threads. If you are going AGM go with Odyssey or Northstar/X2 and do the voltage booster in the link above. Otherwise stick with a lead acid (depending on your rig/setup) and save a few bucks but replace more often.

 

LOL... I especially love this one. It comes up often. It's comical in a Tacoma setting.

"They moved their manufacturing to Mexico, and the quality went to shit"



Unless you have a 1st Gen, chances are your truck was manufactured in Mexico. Most Tacoma manufacturing went to Tajuana in 2004 and ALL Tacoma assembly moved to Mexico this year.

 

I never said that ALL things made in Mexico are bad. But it is objectively true that Optima batteries manufactured in Mexico have dropped in quality. They are riding the namebrand but quality is gone.

Edit: Let me clarify I have no stake in this other than trying to steer people towards better products. Those same people might be on the trail with me and why would I want them to have failures? I no longer own any Optima products due to the lack of value versus competitor's products and first-hand experience with degraded quality in new manufacturing.

 

It's not objectively true. It's rumors on the internet true. As I have said before in this thread. Better part of 30 years of running Optima with no issues.

If I was suggesting a battery for someone who I would be on the trail with... I would suggest Optima without hesitation. My middle son's rig runs an Optima. My wife's rig has an Optima. My oldest son's truck has an Optima. Why? Because they needed a battery, and I installed an Optima.

 

Congrats we are happy you have had good luck. I will not recommend them because as I previously stated I have had failures (i.e. not just "rumors on the internet" like you want to believe, but real-world experience). 20-30 years ago I would have bought one when made by Johnson Controls. Not so much now, I paid for that mistake one time already and not again. You do you. I'm done here as I don't like unjustly being called a liar.

 

Nobody is debating the overall quality of Mexican manufacturing lol. People are observing an effect (batteries dying early) and identifying a cause (production shifted from USA to Mexico). Correlation being the quality issues happening at around the same time the batteries production moved to Mexico. Plain & simple.

Personally, I think Mexican manufacturing QA/QC is pretty damn good in most cases

 

Well, here's another proverbial monkey to put in the proverbial wrench.

When you go to https://northstarbattery.com/ it sure enough brings up the option for Transportation. There's also an option for 'Products'. Clicking on the latter brings you to battery packs like you'd use for UPS, etc. Click on the transportation link and guess where it takes you? Give up? It takes you to ODYSSEY batteries. See for yourself.

 

Found this guy on Amazon. Not sure if it is the right battery for my needs though...

NORTHSTAR Pure Lead Automotive Group 27F Battery NSB-AGM27F

https://www.amazon.com/NORTHSTAR-Au...sprefix=northstar+battery+27f,aps,1882&sr=8-1

 

All I know is I bought my group 31 battery from a group buy here on tacomaworld. Saved me a pretty penny and had help up great over the last two years. has plenty of cca and has not left me stranded… yet.
I’ve left lights on for days on end with no problem. Does well in the heat of the desert and well in the cold

 

Some is some isn't. All lead comes from Mexico 95%, so it makes sense to make them there.
Not much lead mined in the US anymore do to environment problems (lawyers)
I don't want to put a agm in my truck, changing the charging system is a big deal and I not up for it.
My costco battery is not holding well, too hot and too cold here in NM. Any other options?

 

I no longer trust the optima brand name.

My first red I bought in the mid 90s. It lasted over 10 years. My second was a yellow, bought around 2015, after 3 years it was pretty weak.

 

Optimas specs are complete crap. Yes they can be charged at lead acid voltages, just like any other AGM, but that will lead to sulfation in an AGM with loss of performance and early battery failure. But sure it will work, till it doesn't, just like any other AGM. They've really lost a lot of credibility. And yes, they used to be amazing batteries back in the day when they were made in the USA, which is where you see people give them so much praise. Then they were bought out, had massive cost cutting by the new owners and moved production to Mexico. Quality tanked. Batteries did not last like they used to. I've abused a USA made yellow top in regular extreme winching in sub zero temps doing things batteries should not have survived. Pretty regular for the battery alarm to sound in my Rubicon from extreme power draw winching on the battery, and then reving the engine/alternator to push the battery even harder. It never died. Sold the truck 7 years in with the most abused battery I've ever had and it took it like a champ. 3 years in on a Mexico yellow top on street duty only with no abuse whatsoever and it just dies with no reason. The batteries are not the same regardless of what the brand tries to sell you. Optima is coasting on a bygone legacy of the previous brand ownership hoping people don't notice. If you want a performance battery today, you look to Northstar or Oddessy.

 

If you are looking to run 1 battery in your vehicle, I would recommend flooded batteries. Most AGM require more of a 'special' touch and care in colder climates. They are also more prone to freezing when below 0.
Keep in mind that anything below 32' F is going to give your battery hell, anyways. To make things as easy as you can, try to do yourself a favor and wrap that battery in some battery insulation and keep it on a tender overnight if possible. It will protect the battery from both heat and cold.

If you prefer to run whatever is currently the "best" battery possible.
AGM: Northstar's 27F or Odyssey's 34R
Flooded: Duralast Platinum 27F-EFB, Diehard Platinum 27F, Interstate MTP 27F

I've run all of these, except the Odyssey.
Before you knock the Duralast, check out the stats. I'm running it now. Love it.