Sears Platinum Help

[Montana Cruiser]

Ok, so let me preface this by saying automotive electrical is NOT my strong suit

The battery in my 2000 4Runner has bit the dust and I need to replace, TODAY. I am going to go ahead and get a Sears Platinum, as I have heard great things, but I have a few questions.

Do I go with the reg auto battery, or the marine battery? Both have enough starting power, but I wonder if the marine would be better for me as I run a fridge in the back almost constantly. I don't have a winch, or a bunch of other things drawing power just the fridge. I don't plan on going dual batteries anytime soon (will carry a jumper pack as back-up, once I can afford a good one) ... so this will be my only battery. Pros and Cons of the auto vs. marine?

The other question is size, I would like to go as big as possible without a lot of modifications to get it in there as I am on a time crunch at the moment, but I also don't want to regret not getting the biggest one I can. Thoughts on size?

Thanks in advance for those who are more knowledgeable on these things

 

[joneseyyy]

I think most of the guys raving about their batteries are running Group 31 Die Hard Platinum Marine Batteries. I was able to barely squeeze one in the stock location of my 5th gen 4runner.

 

[Ryanmb21]

Bump, I too would like to hear about people running a fridge off of one battery.

 

[defrag4]

Looks like Sears has the PM-1 on sale right now for $214

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850131000P

 

[dwh]

Lead plate thickness.

Starting batteries have thin plates to enable a large dump of amperage quickly. They have higher "cranking amps" and "cold cranking amps" ratings, but lower "amp*hour" ratings. They don't last as long (before failure) if they are used to handle constant loads or if they are drained very deeply. The thin plates can basically do one job - fast amperage dump.

Deep cycle batteries have thick plates to enable a constant dump of amperage. They have higher amp*hour ratings, but lower CA and CCA ratings.

RV/Marine batteries are a compromise somewhere in the middle.

Thicker plate batteries can be used for cranking (it won't hurt them - even deep cycle batteries DO have CA and CCA ratings, though they may be marketed based on their AH rating), but cranking batteries shouldn't be used for anything other than cranking and occasionally listening to the radio.


So sure, go with an RV/Marine battery if it's got high enough CA and CCA ratings to crank the engine. Even better, go with a true deep cycle if it has high enough CA and CCA ratings. Especially, use a thicker plate battery if you have a constant load on it.

And yea, get the biggest that will fit. Or two.

 

[defrag4]

Thinking about picking up one of these as a backup battery to run my fridge, lights, and winch. Will the stock 22re 60a alternator have enough juice to recharge this thing?

 

[CCFD170]

Looks like Sears has the PM-1 on sale right now for $214

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850131000P

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!! I was just going to go get this battery tomorrow! You just saved me some bucks!!

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Well, I ended up with the Group 34 Diehard Platinum Marine, going back tomorrow to get them to adjust the price due to sale today.

Install was pretty straight forward, extended the positive battery cable with premade six inch battery cable, extended the ground on the negative side, added covers to both + and - terminals along with some no corrosive spray, built a padded extender for the factory battery bracket and called it a night ..... pics to follow next week.

Started it up and the engine cracked right off, very pleased!

 

[CCFD170]

just purchased online and will be picking it up tomorrow.

 

[defrag4]

ya im going to bite the bullet and pick one up as well

 

[defrag4]

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!! I was just going to go get this battery tomorrow! You just saved me some bucks!!

throw "sears2011" into the promocode for a extra $5 off bringing it down to $210 :Wow1:

 

[yubert]

Looks like Sears has the PM-1 on sale right now for $214

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850131000P

WOW!! That's one heck of a deal!! I just might get another one for my other Disco!!

 

[defrag4]

better act quick I think part of the sale ends soon, like tomorrow

 

[yubert]

better act quick I think part of the sale ends soon, like tomorrow

THANKS!!! I just ordered one. I have a PM-1 in my trail rig Disco2 and it's performed great over the past 2-1/2 years! So I can always use an extra battery for my Jaguar, if not for my other Disco!!

Oh and thanks again for the "sears2011" promocode. I like saving $$$...

 

[joneseyyy]

And so you guys know, I've been running my ARB fridge off of a single battery setup (Die Hard Plat Grp 31) for about 2 months now with zero issues. Truck sits for 24-48 hours with the fridge running continuously; zero hesitation on startup.