Whats's the new "best battery" for an overland vehicle?

[prerunner221]

I tried searching but couldn't find anything recent, so what's the newest go-to battery for these 12V thirsty vehicles? I have all the usual lights, phone and camera chargers, fridge, and all of that stuff we all have. My factory battery is on it's last leg so I need a new one, but I'm curious what everyone's running. The last time I really looked into batteries was almost 10 years ago, and back then the Optima yellow tops were as good as you can get. Now they are extremely expensive and I've heard their quality has really gone away.

I would like a deep cycle, just so if/when I run it down camping I'm not damaging the battery. I would also like top and side posts if possible so I can run the truck off the top posts and the accessories from the side post, just to clean it up a bit. Right now my top post has 6-7 things running to it and looks like a mess.

I appreciate any feedback! Happy travels.

 

[prerunner221]

Forgot to say this is going into an 08 FJ Cruiser, in the factory location.

 

[Dipodomys]

I don't know that it's the "best," but I've been using dual Odyssey PC1200s in my Tacoma. Two batteries take up the same space as a standard battery, with essentially the same power. I've had these for seven years, absolutely no problems, still going strong. One is primary, the other runs goodies, including a fridge. I "rotate" them when I do oil changes. They can be run to zero charge with no ill effects. The aux battery can run the fridge for 24 hours in warm weather no problem before fully discharging. Here's a photo of the setup.

This of course requires an isolator or similar dual battery setup. I had my local welding shop make up a simple battery tray to hold both batteries ($40). It fits in the same location as the old stock battery. Odyssey makes a bunch of different batteries with lots of terminal configurations (top and side mounts, reversed + or -, etc.). They are not cheap...more than $200 each, but I've been very happy with the investment. The dual battery controller was also an investment (National Luna, http://www.nationalluna.com/DIY.htm), but I've used lower cost isolators before and they have crapped out. This one has performed flawlessly. They sell a complete kit with everything you need. Shop around.

As for your existing messy wiring, have a look at this from Blue Sea Systems (https://www.bluesea.com/products/5023/ST_Blade_Battery_Terminal_Mount_Fuse_Block). I have not used it myself, but it looks like a great idea. I have used other Blue Sea Systems products (fuse boxes, circuit breakers, bus bars), and the marine-grade quality is top rate. Not absurdly expensive either.

 

[Stryder106]

Odyssey = Die Hard Platinum. Same case even (just a different color) and a much better price point.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

Here we go again.

Odyssey = Die Hard Platinum. Same case even (just a different color) and a much better price point.

Not any more. Sears terminated their contract with Odyssey a couple of years ago. The new DieHard AGM Golds appear to be Northstar, but maybe not. If you find a Platinum in a Sears store, it will be old stock.

They can be run to zero charge with no ill effects.

Not true. Odyssey wants you to charge them when they get to 12.2OCV. Below 11.2OCV will damage them. Below 10.5OCV is considered battery abuse. Overdischarging an Odyssey without an immediate recharge using a suitable charge profile will cause sulfation, and cumulative loss of capacity.

I would also like top and side posts if possible so I can run the truck off the top posts and the accessories from the side post,

Then you are probably looking at a G34/78, as used in GM trucks. Since you probably want to install the biggest battery that you can physically fit, another alternative is a marine battery with an extra set of top studs for accessories. Make sure your positive alternator cable and main ground are attached to the large primary posts, since the marine studs are not designed for high current loads.

 

[Stryder106]

Here we go again.


Not any more. Sears terminated their contract with Odyssey a couple of years ago. The new DieHard AGM Golds appear to be Northstar, but maybe not. If you find a Platinum in a Sears store, it will be old stock.

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

 

[jeffjeeptj]

Pay attention to all of Ducky's Dad reply. In particular the "suitable charge profile" portion.
I have a collection of 5 Odyssey and Sears Platinum. Odyssey has a bunch of technical information on their website including a tech manual http://www.odysseybattery.com/documents/US-ODY-TM-002_1214.pdf
a list of approved chargers (pay attention to amp requirements/battery capacity) - http://www.odysseybattery.com/documents/ODYSSEY_approved_12V_chargers.pdf

and more than enough info that may make your head hurt. My first entry into the Odyssey rabbit hole was in 2004 when I was tired of the factory battery in wife's 2003 Sequoia causing constant corrosion growth at the terminals and the structure on the underside of the hood above the battery. I did not pay any attention to the Odyssey since all corrosion ended as soon as it was installed. It did well for 7 years. That battery was replaced with an identical Odyssey due to its early failure at 7 years. Now that I know about Odyssey charge profiles, I think the failure was due to the Sequoia ECM controlled battery charge profile. Now, I periodically disconnect the Sequoia cables, discharge the battery to 12.2, and recharge using an Odyssey charger. Also, i use a PC1700 in the winter, and a PC2150 in the summer when towing the adventure trailer. Only need a starter battery in the winter. Larger battery in the summer for the usual adventure/expedition loads. Swapping them also allows me to test and recharge fully.

There is a tremendous amount of battery info here in the various threads. Search on posters Ducky's Dad, diplostrat, and DWH for a bunch of accurate, informed, and unvarnished info. I am not as technically savvy as they are. Knowledge is power.

In my opinion, much has changed in the battery world in the 10 years since you last bought.

 

[e60ral]

I would like a deep cycle, just so if/when I run it down camping I'm not damaging the battery. I would also like top and side posts if possible so I can run the truck off the top posts and the accessories from the side post, just to clean it up a bit. Right now my top post has 6-7 things running to it and looks like a mess.

I appreciate any feedback! Happy travels.

A lot of the 31m batteries will have a regular battery terminal and also a threaded post on the top so you can cleanly divide your wiring, getting one with both top and side will limit your shopping.

I use a Duracell Ultra 31 Platinum which is made by East Penn/Deka that I bought from batteries plus https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli31dtmagmdc

Odyssey and Northstar are generally regarded as the best, east penn/deka closely behind. The East Penn /Deka batteries are half the price so it was an easy decision for me even if I get 1 less year out of the battery (which i'm not saying i will, just that even if i did need that extra year of warranty i'm still better off)




Keep in mind that your FJ will probably not fully charge the battery, if you operate like this all the time you will get sulfation which will reduce the life and performance of your battery. I use a NOCO on-board charger (14.4V charge) and I occasionally plug in overnight to top-off my battery.

Assuming the fender in your FJ is similar to my 4Runner, you will need to get a new battery tray otherwise all the extra weight rocking on the fender with the factory plastic tray will eventually cause your fender to crack. You can get a fancy "overlanding" battery cage or just buy a cheap metal battery tray and bolt in place. You will probably also need longer j-hooks for the tie-down and depending on your battery your stock wiring may not reach so you will need to make wire extensions or bus bars of some sort or run new wire.

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

I'm still running Optimas. Never had an issue really. I switched to Canadian Tire Eliminiators since my Optimas were dying after a good 7-8 years of hard use, but one only lasted a few months, and they wouldn't warranty it since one of the poles were bent (honestly, no idea how). I looked around and found the Northstars for C$404+tax and the Odesseys were C$492+tax. I got the Yellow Tops for C$300 with tax to my door . Looking at 2 batteries, that's $200 more to go with the Northstars, and $400 more to go with the Odessey. Are they probably better? Maybe, but I have no experience with them, but I think it also comes down to value, and what you can afford. I could of waited, bought one of the other options, but did I find it necessary to go that route? Not really, the Optimas always did a great job and found it wasn't necessary to go with "better". Maybe one day, but to each their own, and to go with what you want, need and can afford. Sometimes the "best" is just money wasted.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

Are they probably better? Maybe,

Are the Odysseys and Northstars better than the Optimas? Absolutely yes. Are they enough better to justify the price differential? Generally not, and that is why I bought Optimas for my house batteries. However, I now wish that I had laid out the extra bucks for a pair of Odyssey 34s instead of the Optima 34s. Why? Because the Odysseys have just a little more capacity than the Optimas in the same group size, and my fridge needs all the juice it can get from a pair of 34s. The Odyssey is 68ah/135min reserve, vs the Optima at 55ah/120min reserve. So for a pair of G34s, the Odysseys provide an extra 26ah. That is enough to make a difference.

I like my Optimas, but I'll probably move them to a different vehicle when the other vehicle needs a battery.

 

[GoodEnoughforGabe]

Ive been running a Northstar AGM in my Gen 1 Tundra for about 1.5 years with no issues whatsoever. They are the same batteries that police vehicles use to run their lights/sirens/radio/computer all night long. Love mine

 

[e60ral]

I've read that Optima has improved their quality a bit after their initial drop when they moved to Mexico. Even if the quality was equal to before, I don't like that they are made in Mexico because Mexico doesn't have the same environmental and occupational regulations and making batteries is a pretty nasty business.

If you want a quality product a step below northstar or odyssey, look at batteries made by East Penn/Deka

 

[Idaholandho]

After giving up for good on Optima's I have been running dual Northstar's for 2 years hard without a glitch.