I'll give a thumbs-up for my Northstar 24F AGM battery. Same idea as the odyssey. Used and abused in plenty of winch pulls, -30 or worse daily cold starts, ARB fridge running 24/7, and I've let it run beyond flat multiple times. Always charges back up no issues. I've killed a couple of other batteries doing the same.
I'm picking up a new battery tomorrow. I decided to go with an Interstate Mega-Tron 24F instead of the Duralast, and the others that were mentioned. I talked to a couple people around my area that have these batteries, and they had nothing but good things to say.
I contact a local shop, and was given a 10% discount of the $147 advertised price. This battery has a 30 month free exchange on them if something were to go wrong, and a 6 year performance guarantee. The 24F battery has 800 cold cranking amps, 1000 cranking amps, and 125 reserve cap.
Now I just need to find a new battery holder.
Different internals in deep cycles.
Optima's website explains the difference in design and intent between the red top and the yellow top batteries pretty well. From my understanding, the Red Top is meant for starting where the yellow top is meant to sustain use over a longer period of time, even with the key off running exclusively off the battery, so different kinds of cells for different purposesYeah I know. But still... you’d think it would have more cranking amps ? And not to mention the yellow top is smaller than the old red top???
Yeah I know. But still... you’d think it would have more cranking amps ? And not to mention the yellow top is smaller than the old red top???
What's a reasonable life expectancy for the OEM batt? Mine (purchased 4R new 9/14) looks like it's on its way out.
It's been mentioned many times on here & other sites about the lack of quality in Optima batteries since they moved to Mexico. I'd be pissed if a $200 battery only lasted a year. They'd never get my business again. 10 years ago they were the best now people are having them fail after 3 months. You can get a battery with better specs for half the price as listed in this thread & they actually last! If I was going to spend big money on a AGM battery I'd buy Exide, Northstar or Odyssey. They blow Optima's away.
It's been mentioned many times on here & other sites about the lack of quality in Optima batteries since they moved to Mexico. I'd be pissed if a $200 battery only lasted a year. They'd never get my business again. 10 years ago they were the best now people are having them fail after 3 months. You can get a battery with better specs for half the price as listed in this thread & they actually last! If I was going to spend big money on a AGM battery I'd buy Exide, Northstar or Odyssey. They blow Optima's away.
Sorry for not editing down your post, but I like the idea of the 1 by 6 plank underneath the battery. Can I use Oak instead? I like oak myself lol^^ Exactly.
- Gates sold Optima to Johnson Controls who moved the manufacturing to Mexico...a dozen plus years ago.
- I've had two original USA-made Optima's which have worked flawlessly, both went 9-10 years in life.
- recent Mexican-made Optima is overpriced junk, with only a 3 year warranty / too many "short life" problems
- I stay clear of the Optima brand now
Yesterday, installed the following battery, with a 1x6" cedar deck board under the battery...to get the correct height.
- Canadian Tire Corp glass mat batteries have a full 5 year warranty, but in limited size groups...cold cranking amps @ 775
- put the same AGM battery in my wife's RAV4 (2 years ago) and got an older one in my John Deere 318...problem free
MOTOMASTER ELIMINATOR ULTRA (AGM) / #010-2120-4 / Made in USA
Group 34R/24R
LENGTH (in)WIDTH (in)HEIGHT (in)
10-3/4...........6-7/8............8
Regular Price: $219.99 Canadian / = 176 US$
Sale: $199.99 / PLUS $20.00 CORE CHARGE
MotoMaster Eliminator Ultra AGM Automotive Batteries | Canadian Tire
I have no beef with the toyota true start. 84 month warranty. for the 24F I see 575 CCA and 130 mins reserve. not the highest CCA's, but about $125
Sorry for not editing down your post, but I like the idea of the 1 by 6 plank underneath the battery. Can I use Oak instead? I like oak myself lol
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What's a reasonable life expectancy for the OEM batt? Mine (purchased 4R new 9/14) looks like it's on its way out.