There’s another thread about battery trouble which got me thinking. My battery is 37 months old. Has anyone replaced their’s due to failure? I’ve had stock batteries last over 5yrs, others that have not fared so well. I don’t want to get stuck.

I just had this problem about 2 weeks ago. My whole battery started to die frequently after a year and a half's worth of use. My truck is an 05. I was freaking out since this is my first vehicle and I've never experienced a dead battery. I could even get it jump started. I quickly found out that it was leaking so I decided to upgrade for an Optima red top gel cell battery.

GUESS WHAT? lol I had the best luck of my life. My buddy gave me a brand new Optima YELLOW top for FREE! I know that nothing's really free in life but all I had to do was help my buddy with some computer related issues.

Anyways, this new battery has been incredible.

check the water level in the battery. I had a leaking battery when my truck was new, had it replaced and so far so good... although i dont think much of the stock batteries.

But to have it last as long as possible, make sure the water level in the battery is where it should be. These batteries are NOT maintenance free, you have to keep a check on the water level.

I've been thinking that I should replace it before it sh!ts the bed. I'de hate to do it now, maybe it will last 2 more years? delema delema
those Optima batteries are sweeet. thats what I plan on buying as a replacement, but when?????

sledgie, if i may offer my opinion: you've spent a lot of money on your truck. you have a big power sound system you have those big bright lights on the front. why not just buy a new battery for the sake of safety and not getting stranded. just my 2 cents.

My battery is just a year old, I've topped it off twice. Works well, passes load test OK.

Going on 4 years and no problems here.

On my 04 Titan my battery went in the first year, on my 06 it has lasted over two....I think its a hit or miss thing, but if you are running an aftermarket system upgrade to a yellow or red top battery

On my 04 Titan my battery went in the first year, on my 06 it has lasted over two....I think its a hit or miss thing, but if you are running an aftermarket system upgrade to a yellow or red top battery

which is better: yellow top or red top??

I got a 2years on mine...2004.

boought my truck brand NEW in dec 06. had been sitting on the lot for a few months though. The battery died ON THE TEST DRIVE lol! they put another new on in and its fine. I would go with an Optima yellow or red top though

sledgie, if i may offer my opinion: you've spent a lot of money on your truck. you have a big power sound system you have those big bright lights on the front. why not just buy a new battery for the sake of safety and not getting stranded. just my 2 cents.
Ya that's why i'm concerned. I'm taking the boat to Summerville lake in WV this week 250 miles one way. I don't need any extra excitement.

What's the difference between the Red and Yellow Optima?

thats what i asked earlier and no one answered.

i just looked on there web site. seems the red is a regular cycle and the yellow is deep cycle. if you use accessories; lights, wench, stereo, with your vehicle turned off get the yellow.
I have the lights and stereo but seldom, if ever, have them on without the truck running.
I think I'll get the red. plus it's less $$$.

i'll get the yellow cuz i leave my doors open and listen to music while i dry my truck off after i wash it. how much do these batteries run for?

We need model 34R. cost about a buck fifty. I'm going to run down to my local O.R. shop and see what they say.
Be back soon.

We need model 34R. cost about a buck fifty. I'm going to run down to my local O.R. shop and see what they say.
Be back soon.

$150 for the yellow top or red top?? could you find out the price of both please?? Thanks.

Ok, he doesn't carry them any more. They wouldn't give him a deal, he'd have to sell them at the same price as Auto Zone. so he told them to pi$$ off.
anyway here's a link:
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/

Auto Zone wants a buck-60 for the regular post. we need the reverse post, you'll see what i mean on the link. They didn't seem interested in ordering it for me eather. the yellow (D35)is a little small + CCA650 is a little low. the red 34R seems to be the best fit.

which is better: yellow top or red top??

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info.html

thanks for the link sygma.

sledge, don't waste your time with Optima. i had battery problems too with corrosion from the battery eating my positive and negative cables which caused me to have to replace both cables plus the positive circuit breaker thingamajigs. figured, let me research the best battery alternative to crap batteries that eventually gas and spew acid. the odyssey does neither. anyways, here's the 411 on Odyssey batteries!

btw, here's the model you'll need to get: Odyssey PC1700MJT Battery

best deal i found on the net, plus because of its advanced Mil-Spec design its safe for shipping via UPS: http://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey-pc1700mjt-battery.html hmmm, looks as if its on back-order, but you get the idea. search the web, plenty more places to order it.



Your Question: Why is the Odyssey better than Optima and is it worth the cost difference?


When comparing Optima to an Odyssey, you are comparing a 10 year old technology to a brand new one. To be more specific, the parent company (Enersys) invented and has owned both products. They owned the Optima technology and plant and finally sold off Optima over ten years ago to move on to creating Odyssey. The older spiral product and technology was abandoned because of the new technology which is now Hawker, trolling thunder, and now Odyssey.

Specifics:

Warranty
4 year full replacement vs. 1.5 year prorated

1 to 2 psi vs. 6-8psi bunsen valves
lower psi still vent while charging and this alone can contribute to failure as well as gassing

pure virgin lead vs. recycled lead
pure lead lasts longer

old spiral agm vs. thin plate
spiral equals less usable space, less reserve, less shock and vibration ability

lower resistance
charges faster, puts out higher cranking amps, contributes to longer life

more lead in the same physical size
The last one here is critical for the troll motor application. The amount of lead in a battery is the contributing factor when determining reserve capacity, or the ability to run electronics, pumps, lights, or a troll motor. Look at the physical weight of a battery compared to the same group size of a competing battery. For example.

Optima grp 24 weighs 38 lbs (34M) and an Odyssey grp 24 weighs 55 lbs (1500T).
Optima grp 31 weighs 59lbs D31M and an Odyssey grp 31 weighs 78lbs (2150)

Flooded vs. AGM (a personal choice)

Flooded product is less expensive and lasts a couple of years. The good thing about it is it is cheap. The bad thing is you have to add water, you have to deal with corrosion, and you have to replace every couple of years. There are reasons why they do not last long. By design they calcify faster because they loose charge faster. This is an issue because it leads to internal failure. The more calcification the more resistance, the more resistance the more heat and finally failure. By keeping them on an onboard trickle charger you have serious gassing issues and drying out concerns unless you constantly maintain them. Most manufactures of flooded product use recycled lead with calcium and antimony which contribute to the internal failure of the product. It makes life shorter, but it makes manufacturing cheaper. That is why you can save money and buy a 50 dollar grp 24. I wanted to get away from all of that flooded maintenance. If you do go the flooded route buy the heaviest one you can find in the size you like because weight equals reserve capacity.

AGM is more expensive, it lasts longer, and can be a set it and forget it solution for many years. The bad thing is the initial cost and there are a lot of garbage AGM’s out in the market. Some AGM's dry out in the first couple of years because of poor bunsen valve technology. Some have little lead and are not good for reserve capacity. Some claim to be AGM and are a flooded/AGM product. A Odyssey AGM has a service life of 6 to 10 years. They are maintenance free and can be left on an automatic charger like a ProMariner for the life of the battery. No worries about gassing or drying out. Look at the warranty of the product you are going to buy. Most of the Odyssey batteries have a 4 year full replacement.

I spent some time putting this together and I really enjoy discussing batteries. I tried to just give the facts, but I am an Odyssey fan and have one in everything I own that takes a battery.



- reply i got from a battery supplier



found this video! http://www.nmratv.com/index.php?stream=http://www.streetlegaltv.com/video/sema/wed-sltv-odyssey.flv&playlist=1


http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5162/odysseypc1700du8.jpg

here's the specs...


PC 1700MJT Specs:

1700 cranking amps for 5 seconds
1540 cranking amps for 10 seconds
1355 cranking amps for 20 seconds
68 amp hours
Short circuit current over 3500A
142 minute reserve capacity with 25amp load
With metal jacket and SAE automotive terminals
Length 13.02"
Width 6.62"
Height 7.68" including terminals
Weighs 60.9 lbsOdyssey design:

3 year full warranty
Rugged Drycell sealed design
Military grade
Vibration resistant
60% more starting power
Deep discharge reserve power
2 year storage life
8-12 year design life
Can be mounted in any orientation--------------------------------------------------------------------

per fellow titan forum member John Harden:

You get what you pay for.

In short, they are dry cell, dual use batteries in that they are BOTH a starting and deep cycle battery. They are also built for extreme use and have MilSpec high vibration resistance.

They also come with a non pro-rated warranty, which means if it fails during the warranty period for any reason, you get a replacement free of charge.

Are they the best batteries in the world. I doubt it, though they are extremely good. Mine in the bed is mounted on its side, which they are designed for.

Optima's are good batteries too as are the ProComp's, and all the other dry cell types. They don't quite have the power of the Odyssey's but they are still very good. You many not need all this power or care about the warranty, so it may not be the best choice for you. I particularly liked how the 1700 just slid right in and clamped down using the existing tray and clamping system.

The Odyssey I chose can provide 3.6 amps for over 20 hours before dropping to 10 volts, which is plenty of power for me.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

John

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The challenge with our trucks is that the positive terminal is the reverse of what is typical.

Optima's are great batteries, but in my opinion, Odyssey's are tough to beat. They are true, dual purpose batteries in that they are both starting and deep cycle. I just bought two, PC1700MJT's for my truck. One for the bed as an auxiliary battery and the other for under the hood. Shop around and you can find them for as low as $205 plus shipping of $25-$40 depending on where you are.

Nice thing about this model of Odyssey is it slips right in to the spot where your factory, 710 battery is. It is slightly larger, but MUCH more powerful. Also, the positive terminal is on the correct side and position on the battery so your OEM positive terminal slides right down on it with no modification.

You can check out the Odyssey battery I bought at the link below. They make quite a few models with this one rated at 875 CCA's at 0F and 1700 PHCA's!!!!

http://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey...t-battery.html (http://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey-pc1700mjt-battery.html)

Regards,

John




SORRY FOR THE LONG POST, JUST THOUGHT I'D THROW OUT ALL THE INFO I HAVE ON THIS BATTERY!

- h00ligan

WOW, that was great!
thanks Hooligan,
I knew someone here would know a little about batteries.
You're right, you get what you pay for and a battery is something you don't want to go cheap.

still going strong... i know i shouldn't say that, b/c as soon as i do something will happen today with my battery :-)... oh well, thank God i have triple A.

I'll probably go buy this in 2 years. Thanks for the link. I will save that to my favorites.

This site seems to have a pretty good price ($215.95) on the battery.
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/product.php?productid=2051

Shipping is $33.22 for me. I didn't order one but went through the motions.

2004 and still good.

hOOligan must have stayed at a Holiday Inn last night!

hOOligan must have stayed at a Holiday Inn last night!i believe Odyssey makes a special edition all covered and accessorized in chrome! only available to those crowned or labeled "chrome kings" :king:

i believe Odyssey makes a special edition all covered and accessorized in chrome! only available to those crowned or labeled "chrome kings" :king:
burn....LMFAO!

mine lasted JUST over a year... had it replaced and they almost charged me cause they said it was over the first 12 months:thumbsdown-big:

which is better: yellow top or red top??

Actually I prefer the "Copper Top Battery" lol.

Seriously, I still have the original battery in my '04, I check the water about once a month, add water if necessary, and clean the terminals etc.. I regularly get 7yrs out of the batteries I put in my old Buick and those are Auto Zone batteries.

ok, i just learned that you had to actually put water in batteries. LOL. i will probably put a yellow top in there once i get my audio install in.

Actually I prefer the "Copper Top Battery" lol.

Seriously, I still have the original battery in my '04, I check the water about once a month, add water if necessary, and clean the terminals etc.. I regularly get 7yrs out of the batteries I put in my old Buick and those are Auto Zone batteries.

You actually "maintain properly"; not many even know how or why, to do that.


Has anyone here ever installed one of those billet chrome covers from places like summitt? What is mounting the mount like?

hey sled watch out for the optimas they dont have the cold crank power that some of the others do.... the one i got from walmart last year was a diehard and i gotta tell you there was none better

My 04 was 3 years old and I used that battery for EVERYTHING. When I traded that truck in it was as good as new.

I still havn't bought one. lol

i would seriously consider the oddessy battery too, especially if your running aftermarket sound equipment. after install of techs box and subs plus amp, it took a few weeks before i noticed battery leaking, i was looking at optima's and got turned on to oddessy, i chose it due to almost a perfect fit in the tray.

i would seriously consider the oddessy battery too, especially if your running aftermarket sound equipment. after install of techs box and subs plus amp, it took a few weeks before i noticed battery leaking, i was looking at optima's and got turned on to oddessy, i chose it due to almost a perfect fit in the tray.

Where did you get it from? Thanks.

I just had to replace my battery this past week and I have had the truck for about a year and a half. It really gave me no warning. All of a sudden, it just started going dead and I had to continually get a jump. Luckily, I was always near someone to help with the jump. I checked the water levels in the cells and they were all good.

I just had to replace my battery this past week and I have had the truck for about a year and a half. It really gave me no warning. All of a sudden, it just started going dead and I had to continually get a jump. Luckily, I was always near someone to help with the jump. I checked the water levels in the cells and they were all good.
Yup same here, got a new battery yesterday. It just decide to go with no warning. Mine is a little over 2.5 yrs old.

my battery exploded spewing acid all over the engine bay. my custom airbrushed engine cover got splatted as well as the power steering resevior. the acid poured down and completely removed all paint from the frame and body under the battery. a day later it had surface rust all over the exposed bare metal. i am in the process of repainting it all black. f'n mess!!! i have an 05 with 42K

Last Saturday, I replaced my battery with the yellow topped Duralast from Auto Zone. My battery still worked but, it was getting weak, 5 of the 6 cells only had 75% power and only the last cell had 100% power. A hydrometer is great to have around to test the battery as long as you can pop the tops on battery.

Last Saturday, I replaced my battery with the yellow topped Duralast from Auto Zone. My battery still worked but, it was getting weak, 5 of the 6 cells only had 75% power and only the last cell had 100% power. A hydrometer is great to have around to test the battery as long as you can pop the tops on battery.
Same one I just got, which one did you get, the 24F?

Same one I just got, which one did you get, the 24F?

Yes I did.

I just dropped a 34 series optima (red top) in mine yesterady. 800cca 1000ca 100min reserve. I ran a 2 gauge jumper to the little fuse block as Autozone did not have the one with the reversed poles. My battery wasn't bad but i coundn't run any accesories....battery charger, invertor etc they would just shut off after a few min. I don't run them very often. It was just a matter of time before it gave up the ghost. I have been left on the side of the road before...not again well I hope.

I read this post and immediately check my battery for water. It was pretty low. So I put the caps back on and performed the 25/75 baking soda water cleansing and boy did it fiz. I took my fluke and measured 6.4 volts from the positive to the center of the baterry! Last time I checked plastic is not a good conductor, so on went the cleaning. dried off the battery and filled the cells. Hope it will last more than another year or more. Was your battery the original of is the alternator known for boiling these batteries like my frontier?

My battery was wet around the inside of the heat shield when I changed it. Hasn't rained here in a week or two. The battery holder was also rusted pretty bad.

When you buy a new battery or even for your existing one, buy a set of those little felt battery pads that go on the posts(one is red and the other is green), you can't beat em!! I've had problems with keeping my battery terminals clean in the past but, for an extra $1.50, my terminals stay clean and dry!!