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Battery question...

RazorbackH3

RazorbackH3

Wooo Pig Sooie
Messages
528
Location
Tecumseh, Mi
Hey all, Razor here (Happy late Thanksgiving)

Just had a couple of quick questions that I was wanting to throw at you guys and gals...

1.) I am currently in the market for a new battery to handle a winch (Probably an Odyssey or Yellow Top). Which to get? I know alot of you swear behind Odyssey but what about you Optima folks? I honestly don't need mega CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) just around 650-plus (Able to handle a winch and 2 KC lights)... The optima is rated at about 750 cca from what I've read and the Odyssey is rated at about 850 cca... But the Odyssey is also about $100 more... I just don't want to throw a TON of money down for something that is more than what I need/require... Plus the winch wouldn't be an everyday use thing, just for emergencies when I do something stupid at Bundy Hill Offroad or if my family or friends ever have trouble in the winter...

2.) How did you guys go about mounting your batteries... Since I know for a fact that the Optima will require the stock battery box to be cut/modified a bit to get it to fit... What about the really big Odyssey... How does that sucker fit?

3.) Also just wanna make sure, but the battery group that I should go with is 34/78 right?

Sorry for all the questions, just couldn't really find a direct answer anywhere on the internet...
 
USMC_TOP

USMC_TOP

Well-Known Member
Messages
491
Location
Muir Michigan
Funny you asked this just now because I just came in from installing a group 34 diehard platinum. All you have to do is look at the bottom tray and you will notice it tapers in towards the bottom. I just cut a 2 inch chunk out of the fender side connected to the big drain hole in it. This allows the new battery to sit flat in the tray. Now all you have to do is put a small bolt and nut on the slot that holds the front end of the strap that go's over the battery. Put the strap back on and bolt it down. Only thing left is a little dermal work on the top so u have room for a real set of battery terminals.

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Best4x4

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,042
Location
Vidor, TX
I ditched my OEM battery box lid, but any Group 34 Battery will fit. I'm running a Diehard Platinum Marine Battery in the Alpha since it has a winch, and an Optima Red Top in my Adventure. Zero issues and a lot more AMP's vs any Group 86 battery!
 
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Best4x4

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,042
Location
Vidor, TX
I would have kept the lid, but it was cracked from a previous owner, and here in TX I've never had much luck with battery lids or covers making the battery last any longer. The Group 86 is an odd ball battery without a lot of options. Group 34 is very common with a lot more options to choose from.
 
RazorbackH3

RazorbackH3

Wooo Pig Sooie
Messages
528
Location
Tecumseh, Mi
USMC_TOP said:
I wanted to keep the stock look. Funny diehard does not make a platinum group 86 size just a gold.
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks USMC... How are you liking the Die Hard platinum? And it looks like it says 850 cca, am I seeing that right because if that's the case then that might be a good battery for me... I've got a Die Hard battery in the 3 right now... Just need something with a bit more beef, my current one couldn't handle a winch, too wimpy...
 
USMC_TOP

USMC_TOP

Well-Known Member
Messages
491
Location
Muir Michigan
Well I just installed it a couple hours ago so I'm now sure about it yet........:) from everything I have read these new AGM batteries are the bomb. The guy at sears said the same thing and he also said that as they become more popular they will make an 86 size in the platinum series. My old battery would die if I ran the stereo for 10 minutes. I'm only running the stock monsoon with a kenwood head unit. I'm 46 years old and I have learned over the years that you get what you pay for so I always buy good stuff and diehard platinum batteries have never done me wrong. I do plan on a brush guard and a winch next year so I'll be ready..........
 
USMC_TOP

USMC_TOP

Well-Known Member
Messages
491
Location
Muir Michigan
I know 2 batteries like SBG is running will allow you to all kinds of lights and sound systems and winches all @ the same time..........:) nice work on the mounting system you made! Whatever you decide to do just make sure you keep a strap setup of some kind like the stock one or like SBG has done. Never rely on just the plastic wedge that locks in the bottom. In my hardcore wheeling days my road dog had his battery come lose and hit the fan. Acid everywhere! Wasn't good.
 
Renagade132

Renagade132

ZAMU
Messages
1,248
Location
New Jersey
I'm definitely a fan of Odyssey batteries over the Optima. As far as comparison, I know that since optima got bought out by a different manufacter, to many issues come up, so it's not worth it, especially if just because you save a few bucks, you end up spending a lot more down the road...
 
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Best4x4

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,042
Location
Vidor, TX
I went with a Red Top in my wife's H3 and so far it's been perfect. I had an old Yellow Top that was close to 10 years old before I gave it to a friend (last I heard he still had it). I was going to put a Diehard Platinum in my wife's but they were out, and the Red Top looks good under the hood of a Victory Red H3 lol. I do agree though I certainly didn't hear good things after Johnson Control's bought em out, but here lately I haven't heard as much so they might have got the quality control issues taken care of for now.
 
RazorbackH3

RazorbackH3

Wooo Pig Sooie
Messages
528
Location
Tecumseh, Mi
Haha thanks guys... Probably put the Yellow Top on the bottom of the list then... Been looking for the Die Hard Platinum and everywhere online says it's unavailable... :roll: But alas, I will continue my search and yeah I've got the Odyssey Group 34/78 PC1500DT bookmarked... Does $280 plus free shipping sound like a good deal, on Amazon (Shipped and sold from BatteryMart) got only 1 left in stock? Not too much higher on the price compared to other comparable batteries, maybe $30-40 more... The winch that I'm looking at, same one SolidusJ uses on his H3T in his custom bumper if I remember right, says that the minimum recommended battery specs are 650cca and 130 minutes reserve capacity minimum... (What does the reserve capacity even mean?) Winch/electrical stuff is soo confusing... Anyways thanks guys for your help.
 
RazorbackH3

RazorbackH3

Wooo Pig Sooie
Messages
528
Location
Tecumseh, Mi
derian06 said:
I paid around 280$ on amazon
Click to expand...

So did I. :cheers: Went ahead and just bought the last Odyssey PC1500 34/78 they had on Amazon for $280 with free shipping, as well as the basic looking but fairly heavy duty clamp style battery terminals. Now comes the waiting game, battery should be here by next week and the terminals the week after...
 
derian06

derian06

Red Rockett
Messages
1,866
Location
Madison, AL
RazorbackH3 said:
So did I. :cheers: Went ahead and just bought the last Odyssey PC1500 34/78 they had on Amazon for $280 with free shipping, as well as the basic looking but fairly heavy duty clamp style battery terminals. Now comes the waiting game, battery should be here by next week and the terminals the week after...
Click to expand...

The amazon shipping is great, it'll be at your door by tuesday. my odyssey is only 750CCA feeling the pain right now.
 
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