What Batts are you using?

[Lumpy]

Looks like my 7 year old blue tops are coming to the end of their life…What’s the braintrust recommend?

 

[was thatguy]

After 7 years?
New blue tops…

 

[counterpart7]

Batteries don't seem to be what they once were. I have two Interstates in mine that are a few years old. When they die I might slap some Costco Interstates in it and plan to swap them every 2 years(if they last that long).

7 years sounds like a good run. I would throw another set if blue tops in if you've had that good of luck with them.

 

[HBCraig]

Interstate marine and rv batteries

 

[77charger]

I need to replace my stereo battery as well been using lead acid group 27s been great from wal mart actually.But was thinking of going a different route this time.looked into lithium price seems great for long term but the downside need to modify charging system and they arent made for big draws so cant use as back up starting battery if needed.

 

[4Waters]

Auto Zone deep cycle marine batteries. The main reason for Auto Zone is because they are everywhere so if you have an issue and the battery is under warranty there is most likely an Auto Zone closer to where you are than a Napa, costco, O'Reilly's.... I get 5 to 7 years out of them, one of mine right now is 8yrs old and tested good this year but I will be replacing it next year for POM

 

[Andy B.]

I had interstates in lasted 2 years they aren't what they use to be. I went a different route I got 2 marine from o Reillys. My truck batteries lasted 4 years in Vegas heat going to see how long the marine ones last put them in a month ago....

 

[thedan]

I buy mine at Napa in Needles, normal lead acid for the boat. For my Yukon, I do the agm and they are about $175? This one is pro-rated and I just traded in a 3 year old dead one with $100 credit(I left the radar detector plugged in without the tender for 5 weeks!). Not sure if the boat ones are pro-rated.

 

[port austin pirate]

have had good luck with blue tops, last one lasted around 7 years, hopefully the new ones will have the same quality, never know anymore

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Cheap marine battery from Walmart going on year 6. But it is garage kept on a tender. It could be older haven’t checked but it’s the battery that came with the boat when we bought it.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Odyssey Extreme. All our boats, all our cars. Never an issue. Batteries last longer than we keep the cars.

 

[$hot]

X2 AGM batteries from batteries plus. One of the few batteries still made in the USA and quality

 

[02HoWaRd26]

I’m a believer in the Deka’s plus they have a good warranty. I’ve got one for my starting battery and then two FullRiver’s for my stereo.

 

[PlanB]

Odyssey Extreme. All our boats, all our cars. Never an issue. Batteries last longer than we keep the cars.

Same. I have them in everything I own. I am getting 8-10 years out of them.

 

[Runs2rch]

Auto Zone deep cycle marine batteries. The main reason for Auto Zone is because they are everywhere so if you have an issue and the battery is under warranty there is most likely an Auto Zone closer to where you are than a Napa, costco, O'Reilly's.... I get 5 to 7 years out of them, one of mine right now is 8yrs old and tested good this year but I will be replacing it next year for POM

This. Pretty much all of the standard lead acid deep cycles are Johnson Controls.

 

[was thatguy]

These threads alway turn into a list of favorite batteries.
My car batteries are all die hard gold or AC Delco AGM. I used to run ONLY die hard platinum, but they aren’t available anymore. (The Vette has a different one, but it’ll get replaced)
My boat is a blue top.
I’ve had my little boat for 18 years. It had a yellow top that went a few years, then an 8 year blue top, and now a 6 year blue top that shows no signs of dying yet.
(I just trickle charged it after sitting over a year and a half…it took a few hours to top off) I disconnect it in between uses.

in my experience…and no offense to anyone’s choices…
Odyssey batteries are the biggest waste of money out there. I tried twice with their nearly $400 batteries and both shit the bed very fast.

I tried 2 in house AGM from from all American battery in Havasu. Not cheap.
One is still in the Vette, the other failed after 1 year. I took it back and they flatly refused to even talk to me about it.
I had just full charged it and they said nothing was wrong. I told them I had just charged it and it would be dead in a week or less. (Nothing wrong with Tahoe it was in) They refused to hear it.
I traded it in as a core at the parts store for an AC Delco and will not step foot in All American again.

Anyway, all that aside, @Lumpy, what do you hope to improve on after 7 years?
Cost?
You can spend less than a blue top, or you can spend more than a blue top…but neither is likely to improve on that life.
I think you should call it a win and go with what just worked for you!

Same. I have them in everything I own. I am getting 8-10 years out of them.

I must have gotten the only 2 shitty ones!

 

[PlanB]

These threads alway turn into a list of favorite batteries.
My car batteries are all die hard gold or AC Delco AGM. I used to run ONLY die hard platinum, but they aren’t available anymore. (The Vette has a different one, but it’ll get replaced)
My boat is a blue top.
I’ve had my little boat for 18 years. It had a yellow top that went a few years, then an 8 year blue top, and now a 6 year blue top that shows no signs of dying yet.
(I just trickle charged it after sitting over a year and a half…it took a few hours to top off) I disconnect it in between uses.

in my experience…and no offense to anyone’s choices…
Odyssey batteries are the biggest waste of money out there. I tried twice with their nearly $400 batteries and both shit the bed very fast.

I tried 2 in house AGM from from all American battery in Havasu. Not cheap.
One is still in the Vette, the other failed after 1 year. I took it back and they flatly refused to even talk to me about it.
I had just full charged it and they said nothing was wrong. I told them I had just charged it and it would be dead in a week or less. (Nothing wrong with Tahoe it was in) They refused to hear it.
I traded it in as a core at the parts store for an AC Delco and will not step foot in All American again.

Anyway, all that aside, @Lumpy, what do you hope to improve on after 7 years?
Cost?
You can spend less than a blue top, or you can spend more than a blue top…but neither is likely to improve on that life.
I think you should call it a win and go with what just worked for you!

I must have gotten the only 2 shitty ones!

Havasu is the ultimate test of batteries with the heat. I keep all of my stuff on tenders and the only batteries that have lasted more than a few years for me have been Odyssey (I think X2 batteries are the same just labeled different). I was only getting 2-3 years out of Interstate batteries. I have had mixed results with Optima.

 

[wallnutz]

Just put two blue tops to rest from ‘07. I know they don’t make them like they used to, not sure what I’m going to replace them with.
Side note in ‘07 I paid $130 per battery, now the best price I found is $309 per battery.

 

[was thatguy]

Havasu is the ultimate test of batteries with the heat. I keep all of my stuff on tenders and the only batteries that have lasted more than a few years for me have been Odyssey (I think X2 batteries are the same just labeled different). I was only getting 2-3 years out of Interstate batteries. I have had mixed results with Optima.

The only Optima I run anymore is the blue marine in the boat. It seems to be the only optima that lasts.
In the past I worked a lot in ND, Colorado, Wy, MT etc.
and in the heat in Pecos, Midland etc.
sometimes my vehicles (usually a Cummins Ram, but also an old Tacoma) would be parked in airports for weeks at a time at sub zero temps. They’d look like igloos when I’d come back.
The only battery that didnt care was Diehard platinum’s.
Every other high dollar battery proved far too finicky and fragile.
Currently I work primarily in Wyoming. 2 weeks a month more or less.
The Delco AGM never misses a beat.
To me, and I realize some applications are steady draw with computers and shit always on tap, any battery that requires full time maintenance is not a dependable battery …it’s more of a capacitor. And the more expensive they are, they more care they seem to require?
Still, if he’s getting 7 years from blue tops I’d say that’s a win.

 

[PlanB]

The only Optima I run anymore is the blue marine in the boat. It seems to be the only optima that lasts.
In the past I worked a lot in ND, Colorado, Wy, MT etc.
and in the heat in Pecos, Midland etc.
sometimes my vehicles (usually a Cummins Ram, but also an old Tacoma) would be parked in airports for weeks at a time at sun zero temps. They’d look like igloos when I’d come back.
The only battery that didnt care was Diehard platinum’s.
Every other high dollar battery proved far too finicky and fragile.
Currently I work primarily in Wyoming. 2 weeks a month more or less.
The Delco AGM never misses a beat.
To me, and I realize some applications are steady draw with computers and shit always on tap, any battery that requires full time maintenance is not a dependable battery …it’s more of a capacitor.
Still, if he’s getting 7 years from blue tops I’d say that’s that’s a win.

Diehard Platinum is the same as Odyssey. Both made by Enersys. When Sears was still in business it was an easy swap out on the Diehard if you had issues.

 

[Cobalt232]

I have gotten 3 years on my last 2 Dekas. Kinda bummed.

 

[Lumpy]

These threads alway turn into a list of favorite batteries.
My car batteries are all die hard gold or AC Delco AGM. I used to run ONLY die hard platinum, but they aren’t available anymore. (The Vette has a different one, but it’ll get replaced)
My boat is a blue top.
I’ve had my little boat for 18 years. It had a yellow top that went a few years, then an 8 year blue top, and now a 6 year blue top that shows no signs of dying yet.
(I just trickle charged it after sitting over a year and a half…it took a few hours to top off) I disconnect it in between uses.

in my experience…and no offense to anyone’s choices…
Odyssey batteries are the biggest waste of money out there. I tried twice with their nearly $400 batteries and both shit the bed very fast.

I tried 2 in house AGM from from all American battery in Havasu. Not cheap.
One is still in the Vette, the other failed after 1 year. I took it back and they flatly refused to even talk to me about it.
I had just full charged it and they said nothing was wrong. I told them I had just charged it and it would be dead in a week or less. (Nothing wrong with Tahoe it was in) They refused to hear it.
I traded it in as a core at the parts store for an AC Delco and will not step foot in All American again.

Anyway, all that aside, @Lumpy, what do you hope to improve on after 7 years?
Cost?
You can spend less than a blue top, or you can spend more than a blue top…but neither is likely to improve on that life.
I think you should call it a win and go with what just worked for you!

I must have gotten the only 2 shitty ones!

Nothing really…I thought 7 years was a good run. One is OK but not great and the other is toast. I figured I would ask because I often hear batts are not what they used to be. I’d hate to spend almost $700 on two new blue tops and have them go south in a couple of years.

Thanks for all the reply’s everyone…very helpful and informative.

 

[bilz]

Walmart marine 5 sets in 27 years.

 

[CoolCruzin]

I run non-marine auto batteries
I have good luck with auto zone .
Any one else ?
I feel they last longer .

 

[was thatguy]

Nothing really…I thought 7 years was a good run. One is OK but not great and the other is toast. I figured I would ask because I often hear batts are not what they used to be. I’d hate to spend almost $700 on two new blue tops and have them go south in a couple of years.

Thanks for all the reply’s everyone…very helpful and informative.

In my experience the marine blue tops have stayed consistent and are still the same quality as the ones you had.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Odyssey Extreme. All our boats, all our cars. Never an issue. Batteries last longer than we keep the cars.

I’m on my fourth season, they hold just as many volts as the day I got them

 

[thetub]

I have gotten 3 years on my last 2 Dekas. Kinda bummed.

same here one of my Dekas shit to bed after 3 or 4 years...

little bummed too trying to stick with American made stuff

have an AGM Deka thats doing good so far... we shall see

 

[2Driver]

I had interstates in lasted 2 years they aren't what they use to be. I went a different route I got 2 marine from o Reillys. My truck batteries lasted 4 years in Vegas heat going to see how long the marine ones last put them in a month ago....

They have 3 quality levels of the same group battery.
I used to have a chart on the specs but the Costco interstate was about 7 lbs lighter than their best version of the same group

The group 27s I got for my boat were a good 6 years old and kept in the garage in Parker, no tender.

 

[Andy B.]

same here one of my Dekas shit to bed after 3 or 4 years...

little bummed too trying to stick with American made stuff

I heard that the optimal batteries ate made in Mexico after the company was sold. The guy at Sam's club told me that 3 or 4 years ago and truth to this?

 

[thetub]

I heard that the optimal batteries ate made in Mexico after the company was sold. The guy at Sam's club told me that 3 or 4 years ago and truth to this?

pretty sure everything now is made outside the US. I believe they are made in Mexico

I know Deka is made in USA and some Odessy are made in USA and some i think in the UK

whatever it is i think the lead plates are not the same anymore . meaning the mixture/metallurgy is not the same , as all that stuff is imported i think anyways and assembled here even if its made in USA ??

edit and Lifeline batteries are made here believe they got a place in San Dimas Ca. Military and Hose draggers use them i believe

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

These threads alway turn into a list of favorite batteries.
My car batteries are all die hard gold or AC Delco AGM. I used to run ONLY die hard platinum, but they aren’t available anymore. (The Vette has a different one, but it’ll get replaced)
My boat is a blue top.
I’ve had my little boat for 18 years. It had a yellow top that went a few years, then an 8 year blue top, and now a 6 year blue top that shows no signs of dying yet.
(I just trickle charged it after sitting over a year and a half…it took a few hours to top off) I disconnect it in between uses.

in my experience…and no offense to anyone’s choices…
Odyssey batteries are the biggest waste of money out there. I tried twice with their nearly $400 batteries and both shit the bed very fast.

I tried 2 in house AGM from from all American battery in Havasu. Not cheap.
One is still in the Vette, the other failed after 1 year. I took it back and they flatly refused to even talk to me about it.
I had just full charged it and they said nothing was wrong. I told them I had just charged it and it would be dead in a week or less. (Nothing wrong with Tahoe it was in) They refused to hear it.
I traded it in as a core at the parts store for an AC Delco and will not step foot in All American again.

Anyway, all that aside, @Lumpy, what do you hope to improve on after 7 years?
Cost?
You can spend less than a blue top, or you can spend more than a blue top…but neither is likely to improve on that life.
I think you should call it a win and go with what just worked for you!

I must have gotten the only 2 shitty ones!

The secret to the Odyssey’s is you absolutely must have a good quality charger/maintainer that knows how to deal with AGM.

For the boat, the NOCO keeps the batteries in good shape. For the cars, if it sits, I’ve had good luck with Schumacher Electric chargers.

And while these good chargers can bring back deeply discharged batteries, obviously the better option is to never let them get that way. Disconnect them if you have to.

 

[was thatguy]

Like I said, it seems the more expensive they are the more maintenance they require.
So after spending about twice what the average battery costs, I then have to buy a certain charger to keep that battery serviceable? No thanks.
I can’t plug a trickle charger in at Salt Lake City airport.

 

[Luvnlife]

I really have had good luck with interstate but I do buy from one of their distributors so the bats are always latest date

 

[Orange Juice]

Nothing really…I thought 7 years was a good run. One is OK but not great and the other is toast. I figured I would ask because I often hear batts are not what they used to be. I’d hate to spend almost $700 on two new blue tops and have them go south in a couple of years.

Thanks for all the reply’s everyone…very helpful and informative.

Buy a couple battery boxes that look cool, then go wal-Mart marine batteries.

I’ve never had one leave me stranded on the lake. Just make sure you deep cycle on a charger before using them, if you store for more then a few months.

Nothing kills a battery quicker, than trying to start a cold engine on half charged batteries.

 

[Vamodsquad]

Optima Yellow Top

 

[HBCraig]

Odyssey Extreme. All our boats, all our cars. Never an issue. Batteries last longer than we keep the cars.

Where are those sold?

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Where are those sold?

All American Battery in LHC and Parker is the place out here. They stock most of the common ones.

In SoCal, I get them at Four Wheel Parts, I just order them and when they come in I just go pick them up, since they don’t carry a lot of stock.

 

[PlanB]

Where are those sold?

West Coast Batteries (they are in Corona). I have them shipped to my house in SoCal.

Odyssey Batteries

High performance Odyssey batteries for automotive, motorcycle, ATV, watercraft and marine use

odysseybatteries.com

 

[575cat]

Horrible luck with Oddysey,s 3 set,s in 4 year,s try to keep charged with no avail , would like to with standard auto but the DCB battery hold down,s are the problem .

 

[Sleek-Jet]

pretty sure everything now is made outside the US. I believe they are made in Mexico

I know Deka is made in USA and some Odessy are made in USA and some i think in the UK

whatever it is i think the lead plates are not the same anymore . meaning the mixture/metallurgy is not the same , as all that stuff is imported i think anyways and assembled here even if its made in USA ??

edit and Lifeline batteries are made here believe they got a place in San Dimas Ca. Military and Hose draggers use them i believe

Interstate lead acid batteries are still made in the USA... The assembly plant is one of my biggest customers.

 

[sintax]

I’m a believer in the Deka’s plus they have a good warranty. I’ve got one for my starting battery and then two FullRiver’s for my stereo.

Same

I run Deka Marine Masters

 

[thetub]

Interstate lead acid batteries are still made in the USA... The assembly plant is one of my biggest customers.

had 2 of these on my old diesel truck and they leaked out on the terminals ... could of swore it was branded made in Mexico

ditched these after leaking like that

just checked and 98 percent made here still and 2 percent Mexico . maybe got the Mexico ones

the latest ones I had seemed poorly made, always use to use these for all my stuff but seems like quality went downhill

 

[was thatguy]

Horrible luck with Oddysey,s 3 set,s in 4 year,s try to keep charged with no avail , would like to with standard auto but the DCB battery hold down,s are the problem .

That was my experience with odyssey as well.
One in a C5 didn’t make it a matter of a few months. Total pain in the ass because every time I had to charge it the drive data reset and cleared the computer. At smog time I finally ditched that thing and replaced it. Then had to do a bunch of drive cycles to get the thing to pass smog.
Another in a Camry went maybe 6 months?
Neither held charge from the word go, had to charge them frequently.
Boats are one thing, but daily drivers shouldn’t need tended.
They say that Diehard Platinum’s are rebadged Odyssey’s…but be that as it may it was not my experience at all.
Besides the fact that from the day in 2008 or so when EnerSys paid $200 million for the diehard brand, there has always been a price point differential.

 

[Roosky01]

I'm on year 4 with the three Duracell (East Penn) AGM marine I bought at Batteries Plus. No issues at all.

 

[RitcheyRch]

Diehard Platinum is the same as Odyssey. Both made by Enersys. When Sears was still in business it was an easy swap out on the Diehard if you had issues.

Sadly, not anymore. The Die Hard Platinum AGM's are now made by JCI/Clarios from my research and phone calls to Odyssey.