What batteries are you running?

[dezm]

I know most people in the past were running the Diehard series from Sears, but Sears is no longer (at least in Canada.)

 

Other than the usual Optima fans, any other options out there that people have had success with? I'm interested in the Motomaster Ultra AGM from Canadian Tire, and the Everstart Battery Maxx AGM from Wal-Mart  as they are supposedly made by reputable manufacturers and are priced decently. 

 

I'd also be curious to hear if anyone has been able to fit a larger than stock battery without serious modification to the tray etc.

 

[colinnwn]

My first Optima lasted 10 years. I got a Bosch AGM that lasted 11 months. I replaced it with an Optima and at about 2 years old, while it is still starting my truck, the resting voltage is sitting at 12.2 volts. That may indicate a shorting cell inside.

There is another really expensive brand that is used in aircraft a lot, that I can't think of the name of right now.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[RainGoat]

I did a deep dive on this subject this spring. For AGM, Odyssey & Northstar/X2 Power from Batteries Plus (rebranded Northstar) seem to be the top of the heap. The X2 Power has a 5 year warranty which is tough to beat. For a wet battery it's hard to top Interstate at Costco. 42mo warranty & most batteries

 

Best dual battery setup I've seen in a Pathfinder goes to [mention=1343]XPLORx4[/mention]  https://xplorx4.shutterfly.com/437

 

Another

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/167538-Dual-battery-on-R50-Pathy-with-VQ35

 

I would advise against Optima. I was an Optima fan & have owned 3 (1 red top & 2 yellow tops). My red top was purchased 3/27/04 & I think it might still be going today (I gave it to my brother about 3 years ago). My 2nd Optima Yellow Top was purchased to replace the Red Top (it still worked I just wanted a deep cycle battery since I was running alot of accessory power). It lasted 8yrs (11/20/09-11/2017). My third was purchased after Johnson Controls bought the company & moved production to Mexico. I bought it for my wife's MDX because I felt the OEM battery didn't do a good job with all the electonics drain I would get while simply cleaning the car. It did improve that but it only lasted 3yr 10mo (1/2015 - 11/2018). I just replaced it with an Interstate.

 

 

Battery	Yellow Top	Odyssey	Northstar	X2 Power
Group	34/78 / 75-25	25 / 34 / 34/78	27	27           34/78
PHCA		1400 / - / 1500	1750	1500
CCA	750 / 620	850 / 792 / 850	930	930          880@0*F/585@-20*F
CA	870 / 775	990 / - / 1250	1080	1050@32*F
Ah	55(120AH)/-	65 / - / 68	92	90             68/64@20*, 61@10*
Reserve	120” / 100”	130”/ - / 135”	195”	133"
Weight (#)	/ 38.81	50 / 46.6 / 49.5	68	69.75       48/50#(26.2kg)
Length (")	10 1/16 / 9 1/16	9.46 / 10 1/4 / 10.86	12.44	12.46     10.87/10.9"(276mm)
Width (")	6 13/16 / 7 1/16	6.84 / 6 13/16 / 7.09	6.77	6.77         6.99"/7.01"(178mm)
Height (")	7 7/8 / 7 5/16	8.69 / 7 7/8 / 7.88	8.86	8.75         7.76"(197mm)
Warranty (yr)	3 / 3	4 / 3 / 3	4	5               5 (4 if Northstar)
Cost	282 / 272	290 / - / $262+t=289.18	350	330          300

[RainGoat]

That table looks okay on a desktop, not so much on TapaTalk

[dezm]

54 minutes ago, RainGoat said:

I did a deep dive on this subject this spring. For AGM, Odyssey & Northstar/X2 Power from Batteries Plus (rebranded Northstar) seem to be the top of the heap. The X2 Power has a 5 year warranty which is tough to beat. For a wet battery it's hard to top Interstate at Costco. 42mo warranty & most batteries <$100 (I jsut paid $85 for a 24F for my wife's MDX).

 

Best dual battery setup I've seen in a Pathfinder goes to @XPLORx4  https://xplorx4.shutterfly.com/437

 

I would advise against Optima. I was an Optima fan & have owned 3 (1 red top & 2 yellow tops). My red top was purchased 3/27/04 & I think it might still be going today (I gave it to my brother about 3 years ago). My 2nd Optima Yellow Top was purchased to replace the Red Top (it still worked I just wanted a deep cycle battery since I was running alot of accessory power). It lasted 8yrs (11/20/09-11/2017). My third was purchased after Johnson Controls bought the company & moved production to Mexico. I bought it for my wife's MDX because I felt the OEM battery didn't do a good job with all the electonics drain I would get while simply cleaning the car. It did improve that but it only lasted 3yr 10mo (1/2015 - 11/2018). I just replaced it with an Interstate.

 

Battery	Yellow Top	Odyssey	Northstar	X2 Power
Group	34/78 / 75-25	25 / 34 / 34/78	27	27           34/78
PHCA		1400 / - / 1500	1750	1500
CCA	750 / 620	850 / 792 / 850	930	930          880@0*F/585@-20*F
CA	870 / 775	990 / - / 1250	1080	1050@32*F
Ah	55(120AH)/-	65 / - / 68	92	90             68/64@20*, 61@10*
Reserve	120” / 100”	130”/ - / 135”	195”	133"
Weight (#)	/ 38.81	50 / 46.6 / 49.5	68	69.75       48/50#(26.2kg)
Length (")	10 1/16 / 9 1/16	9.46 / 10 1/4 / 10.86	12.44	12.46     10.87/10.9"(276mm)
Width (")	6 13/16 / 7 1/16	6.84 / 6 13/16 / 7.09	6.77	6.77         6.99"/7.01"(178mm)
Height (")	7 7/8 / 7 5/16	8.69 / 7 7/8 / 7.88	8.86	8.75         7.76"(197mm)
Warranty (yr)	3 / 3	4 / 3 / 3	4	5               5 (4 if Northstar)
Cost	282 / 272	290 / - / $262+t=289.18	350	330          300

 

 

Some great info here, thanks Raingoat!

 

From what I've read so far it seems time and time again that Northstar comes out on top.

 

Unfortunately for my purposes, I'm having trouble justifying almost $380 for one here in Canada. Especially for a starter battery. Hoping to work towards a dual battery setup in the near future.

 

Would be interested in hearing any experiences with the "off brand" AGM options from Wal-Mart etc!

[RainGoat]

Totally get it, that’s why I went with an Interstate for my wife’s MDX this time. I felt my perceived benefit just wasn’t worth the money this time. (For perspective my 1st Red Top was $100 & my YellowTops were ~$210, so prices have notably risen.

 

Just for clarification, the X2 Power battery from batteries plus is a rebranded Northstar with a better warranty. Also, you can get 10% off by ordering online or just speaking with the manager & asking “Do I really need to order it online?” 2 managers I spoke with preferred the call. Also, almost 6mo of the year they have some sort of coupon knocking $30 or more off, in addition to the 10% off. Plus LOTS if locations to service the warranty in the U.S.