Optima battery question(s)

[4x4junkie]

Threads like this are why I always stuck with wet batteries such as the Delco Voyager. Optimas (AGMs in general) are cool in that they don't spill or leak if inverted, however my thought is I'll probably have far more important things to worry about than a few drops of spilled battery acid if I was to invert my rig lol.

Until recently the Voyager had always lasted me a minimum of 8 years (10-years on average, used them for some 30 years now). Unfortunately the last pair I bought in '09 lasted "only" 5 years (died earlier this year). But even as that is, it's still on par with reports I see of current AGMs lasting on average (maybe longer, given some of the experiences posted above), so I still don't see what spending double-triple on a battery would get me.
(FWIW, I have come across info telling me the Voyager is no longer made by East-Penn (maker of the Deka line of batteries), but rather Johnson Controls now, so that would make sense why my last ones didn't last as long (Johnson Controls is the devil ))

I've recently been eyeballing the Kirkland deep-cycle battery at Costco for $80... Seems to be very similar to the current-generation Voyager (yeah it's made by JC too, but for $80...). If I can get 5 years out of those, then all the better since the Voyager has now crept a little above $100 (I still have to wait for my other pair of (well-abused) East-Penn Voyagers I bought in '04 to quit though so I'll have a reason to buy the ones at Costco lol).

 

[teotwaki]

Threads like this are why I always stuck with wet batteries such as the Delco Voyager. Optimas (AGMs in general) are cool in that they don't spill or leak if inverted, however my thought is I'll probably have far more important things to worry about than a few drops of spilled battery acid if I was to invert my rig lol.

Until recently the Voyager had always lasted me a minimum of 8 years (10-years on average, used them for some 30 years now). Unfortunately the last pair I bought in '09 lasted "only" 5 years (died earlier this year). But even as that is, it's still on par with reports I see of current AGMs lasting on average (maybe longer, given some of the experiences posted above), so I still don't see what spending double-triple on a battery would get me.
(FWIW, I have come across info telling me the Voyager is no longer made by East-Penn (maker of the Deka line of batteries), but rather Johnson Controls now, so that would make sense why my last ones didn't last as long (Johnson Controls is the devil ))

I've recently been eyeballing the Kirkland deep-cycle battery at Costco for $80... Seems to be very similar to the current-generation Voyager (yeah it's made by JC too, but for $80...). If I can get 5 years out of those, then all the better since the Voyager has now crept a little above $100 (I still have to wait for my other pair of (well-abused) East-Penn Voyagers I bought in '04 to quit though so I'll have a reason to buy the ones at Costco lol).

The OEM battery in my 2005 4Runner was a Panasonic wet cell battery which I recall lasted about 5 years. Toyota does not sell that battery here in the US so I changed battery brands and have been trying AGMs. My expereince with CostCo wet cells is that they always vented a fair amount of acid. I may try out one of their Kirkland marine deep cycles in my trailer when the 6+ year old Optima blue tops from Colorado die.

 

[4x4junkie]

The OEM battery in my 2005 4Runner was a Panasonic wet cell battery which I recall lasted about 5 years. Toyota does not sell that battery here in the US so I changed battery brands and have been trying AGMs. My expereince with CostCo wet cells is that they always vented a fair amount of acid. I may try out one of their Kirkland marine deep cycles in my trailer when the 6+ year old Optima blue tops from Colorado die.

Were they the actual marine ones that you had problems with the acid venting?

I was hoping their marine batteries had lead-calcium plates like the Delco Voyager which is supposed lessen the off-gassing (and subsequent water use) that contributes to acid spewing out the vents. Usually batteries labeled "Maintenance-Free" have calcium plates (and I realize most are not always entirely maintenance-free, but for sure they don't need attention quite as often (maybe about half as often). This is why I had stuck with the Voyager for so long... Until JC took them over, the Voyager actually was an honest maintenance-free battery (you couldn't add water to them even if you wanted to, they were sealed shut. But they simply didn't need it).

However if what FrenchieXJ mentioned is true of all Costcos, it would appear neither one of us will be trying a Kirkland battery anytime soon.
Perhaps they have an equivalent maybe (Interstate I think is JC's core brand), but for some reason I'm getting this funny feeling that if they do, they won't be $80 anymore.

 

[teotwaki]

Were they the actual marine ones that you had problems with the acid venting?

I was hoping their marine batteries had lead-calcium plates like the Delco Voyager which is supposed lessen the off-gassing (and subsequent water use) that contributes to acid spewing out the vents. Usually batteries labeled "Maintenance-Free" have calcium plates (and I realize most are not always entirely maintenance-free, but for sure they don't need attention quite as often (maybe about half as often). This is why I had stuck with the Voyager for so long... Until JC took them over, the Voyager actually was an honest maintenance-free battery (you couldn't add water to them even if you wanted to, they were sealed shut. But they simply didn't need it).

However if what FrenchieXJ mentioned is true of all Costcos, it would appear neither one of us will be trying a Kirkland battery anytime soon.
Perhaps they have an equivalent maybe (Interstate I think is JC's core brand), but for some reason I'm getting this funny feeling that if they do, they won't be $80 anymore.

The CostCo batteries that vented a bit much were the everyday starter batteries. I've yet to try the marine style.

 

[Hilldweller]

I've got Walmart marine batteries in the trailer now. Flooded but sealed and maintenance-free. 122A each, haven't vented yet...
~$86. Bring a meter and test them. Found a big swing in the voltages of what was on the shelf.

 

[LR Max]

After 10 years of loyal service, both of my optimas (a yellow and red) finally died. Was really sad because I liked Optima but with all the BS surrounding them (aka, trucks catching fire) they aren't really an option for me. My friend came and put a Deka in there. Been there almost 2 years now.

I've beaten the crap out of it. Back when I was having issues, I'd use the starter motor to move the truck. Did that a number of times. Finally after 5 days of constant abuse, I put a charger on it. OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Left it at 2 amps for about 3 days.

During this past winter when it was REALLY cold, it cranked over the truck no problem. The carb wouldn't have anything to do with it but the electrical system wasn't concerned.

Over the course of 2 days, I had to winch three times (once was a full 100ft pull), run with full lights for a while, and then a 9F cold start. No problems.

I'm pretty much sold on Dekas. Sure they aren't sealed and all that crap but I don't think I need it. Also sold on a single battery for my future use. No more dual batteries for me (if I get real antsy about it, I'll buy a jump box). When my DD needs a new battery, it'll be getting a Deka. They just work.