westslope Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I'm experiencing some electrical issues which might be caused by the battery. Replacing the current battery soon looks a real possibility. I wanted to get an idea of folks' preferences for batteries that are used in Pathfinders that do hard, pounding gravel roads and off-road. Lead-acid? Gel? Sealed? Standard automotive? Deep cycle? Are there any brand names that stand out for reliability? One of the best batteries I ever used was a Trojan deep cycle marine battery (Group 27) though a lot of people seem to think that running a deep cycle battery in the 1993 stock pathfinder is not such a good idea. In case it is of relevance, I should point out that I use deep cycle marine batteries (now size Group 24) with a 52lb. thrust saltwater electric motor on a canoe. The current and possibly failing battery is a NAPA hybrid starter-deep cycle battery. I like the idea of paying more for thicker plates and, hopefully, greater longevity on rough, pounding roads. Must admit that I feel like I'm grasping at air when it comes understanding batteries..... Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Napa batteries should come from us batteries...those r pretty good batteries...I know from data I've seen they r better than the Trojans and most agm batteries but these were in 48 and 72v ev setups...I just use whatever is cheap at the parts store and typically don't have issues for the 3 year life cycle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I use used batteries from stuff we scrap at work ad still get a couple years from them so no brand loyalty here best one I had was a Carquest honestly though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahardb0dy Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I use batteries from Walmart, I usually ask for one for a full size Ford as they fit and have a higher CCA and reserve, last time I asked for the Ford battery it was the same number that was listed for the Nissan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 After all the trouble I had with batteries a couple years ago, I won't use anything but a delco battery. Don't buy anything at walmart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5523Pathfinder Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I have a red top optima in my rig. I swiped it out of a used car(Xterra) over 7 years ago. I have had absolutely no issues in that time. I have only a few extra added electrical items(stereo, cb, ect). It handles everything I have thrown at it. I don't really recommend a deep cycle battery, as they operate differently than a regular battery. Unless you have lots of load on it, your just going to kill if faster than its designed for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devonianwalk Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Had an Optima red top last for seven years. I didn't want to pony up the $170 (is that right?) so I settled for a $110 Duralast battery. After about a year, I'm happy so far ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trogdor636 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I had a Optima Red in my 2WD Hardbody back when they only cost 110 bucks. I still kick myself for not taking it out when I sold it. Johnson Controls makes a bunch of batteries resold under different labels (including Wal Mart) and even Optima. When the time comes ( My Pathfinder has a battery from the old Kragen..now Oreillys... made in Feb 2003 in it and its still kicking) I'll probably buy a battery at Wal Mart because they have stores everywhere, are usually open 24 hours, so its easy to warranty out even when your on a road trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 You can get pretty good deals on batteries if you order online from Advance Auto and pick-up in store. CCABIN is $40 off $100. Just make sure you get the "freshest" battery off the shelf if you can, find the one with the newest date code sticker. I don't recall who makes AAP's batteries. I've had an Interstate battery for a couple years now and it's been fine. I might go with an AAP battery when this one needs replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92Path_68CJ Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 (edited) Walmart battery, with CCA of 750. Works great on the pathy and even better on my CJ, which needs a ton of power like my last diesel... Edited September 11, 2012 by 92Path_68CJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesRich Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I've used walmart batteries in my quest and haven't had one last more than 3 years. I always got the best one they offered. My pathfinder had a little autozone battery in it when I bought it in 2010 and it just doesn't seem to want to quit. I put a optima yellow top in my titan 3 years ago and it's holding up good. It sits a lot since I got my pathfinder and it always starts right up. Most important though I haven't cleaned the post since I put it in there. I'm thinking of a diehard AGM for the pathy when it needs one. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trogdor636 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 You can get pretty good deals on batteries if you order online from Advance Auto and pick-up in store. CCABIN is $40 off $100. I've had an Interstate battery for a couple years now and it's been fine. I wish I had an Advance Auto Parts near....they always have good deals. I like Interstate for their warranty. A truck at work was bought with an Interstate battery, who knows how old and how many owners, it died and we took it in to the local Interstate shop. Runs a number off it, gives me $36 towards a new battery no questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harbinger Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Don't buy anything at walmart. Hear hear! I have a Optima Red Top in my truck. I've only had it in there for a few months but I'm really happy with it. Will probably add a yellow top when I can afford a second battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I have a Optima Yellow Top in my current WD21 that I bought used 3 years ago. Works great so if you are willing to pony up, you can't loose in my book. http://www.optimabatteries.com/us/en/products/yellowtop/ In the past I have found Sears Diehard and Interstate batteries to be consistenty reliable, well warrantied and fairly priced. I'm not sure if you have easy access to them or not... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trogdor636 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 There is a local guy with some "reconditioned" Optimas but I've been hesitant to buy. I was high on Diehard until a guy I know went through about 3 in a month, and Sears treated him like an a-hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nismothunder Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) Wal-mart EverStart brand. I have 1 battory for my boat, pathfinder and impala. Its a deepcycle Everstart. I'll get the specs on it later. Before that the boat had twin napa's that died after a year. The pathfinder had a green and white one. I think it was a AllState and it lasted until late 2010. It was punched for like 05. Could of been a Diehard. 650 max with a cold crank amp of 500. Its a little tike. never had a problem with it though. Going on 3 years old. Edited September 15, 2012 by nismothunder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stioc Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Sears Die-Hard Platinum are supposed to be rebadged Odyssey batteries...even if they aren't I've heard nothing but good stuff about them. Do a google search on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westslope Posted September 15, 2012 Author Share Posted September 15, 2012 I have a Optima Yellow Top in my current WD21 that I bought used 3 years ago. Works great so if you are willing to pony up, you can't loose in my book. http://www.optimabat...ucts/yellowtop/ In the past I have found Sears Diehard and Interstate batteries to be consistenty reliable, well warrantied and fairly priced. I'm not sure if you have easy access to them or not... B I believe the Sears Diehards are available here. I like the idea of the starter/deep cycle Optima Yellowtop. Only $30 more than the Red Top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westslope Posted September 15, 2012 Author Share Posted September 15, 2012 BENEFITS OF THE YELLOWTOP®: Deep-cycle and cranking power Up to two times longer life More than 15 times the vibration resistance Completely spillproof, mountable in virtually any position Maintenance-free Faster recharging Optimal starting power 300+ discharge/recharge cycles 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Didn't Optima switch manufacturers a few years ago and their newer batteries have turned to @!*% as a result? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 I hear bad things about them all the time locally, mostly that they just don't last like they used to, and they work fine one moment, dead the next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Sears Die-Hard Platinum are supposed to be rebadged Odyssey batteries...even if they aren't I've heard nothing but good stuff about them. Do a google search on them. I run one. The best part about them is that they are AGM. I refuse to run any other type of battery in my vehicles. AGM car battery > any other car battery The best benefit of AGM is that you will never have corrosion around the terminals again for as long as you own the vehicle. These batteries will probably outlast your vehicle too! It's an expensive investment but very well worth it in the long run if you care about your vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5523Pathfinder Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Didn't Optima switch manufacturers a few years ago and their newer batteries have turned to @!*% as a result? Some are supposedly made in china. Some of the issues also have to due with what battery is used where and for what application. Getting the right battery with pleanty of cold cranking amps is key. Cheap is not better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 The pathfinder had a green and white one. I think it was a AllState and it lasted until late 2010. It was punched for like 05. Could of been a Diehard. Interstate colors are green and white, I don't know if any other brand has the same color scheme... http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Vehicle B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahardb0dy Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 The optima's went up so much in price over the years, way more than normal inflation. When they first came out I owed a buddy some money and bought him a yellow top instead and it was about $100, now I see them going for around $180. I think everyone has had there own experiences with what ever batteries, some times you get a bad one even if it is "the best battery that everyone recommends", I always use batteries from Walmart as was said already they are readily available, if you have a problem you can find a walmart basically anywhere, and even living down here in too hot Florida they seem to last just as long as any other battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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