Larger battery options for 2001

[Clifford]

Hey I'd like to put the biggest battery I can fit without modifying my air box and no major mods. Any suggestions? Impossible? This Sears is the stock but I'd like larger:
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
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[maclean216]

I have that battery. It has much more reserve time than other batteries its size. I went to the Die Hard after killing two other batteries with my Engel fridge. No problems since the switch.

It is a relabeled Odyssey battery.

 

[kball]

You want physically larger or just the most powerful? For power you'll have to compare different brands and types of batteries. As far as physically measured, the largest stock fit I believe is a 24F. Should fit without modifying anything.

Here's a chart I found with measurements of the different groups.

BCI Battery Group Size Chart

 

[02SE]

I'm running a Diehard Platinum P-1 group size 34 battery, with lengthened cables. It seems to spin the engine over much easier than the Optima yellow top I used to have.

The yellow top did last 13+ years, so I guess I'll see if the Diehard Platinum (re-badged Odyssey) has as much longevity.

I might have considered another yellow top, if there hadn't been so many stories on the wheeling boards of Optima's having nowhere near the longevity, after Johnson Controls bought them and later moved production to Mexico.

 

[Clifford]

Thanks guys. Thanks kball for the detials- very helpful.

I have 2 reasons for wanting largest I can fit:

1. Reliability/reserve. I go solo a lot and don't have any way to get going if my battery failed.
2. I sometimes bring an amp and next weekend will be going with a friend with 2 amps to jam while we are out- prob less than 200W. The inverter I have is supposed to beep and turn off it it gets 10V or lower. Anyway I don't know much about this subject but figured Optima/DH Platinum would cover reliability and size would cover use for amps.

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[Elton H]

look into doing the gm cs 144 alternator mod

 

[Clifford]

Thanks Elton. That looks like a great mod for various reasons!

Gm Cs144 (140 Amp) Alternator Swap On 3.0 - YotaTech Forums

I am actually hoping to pull 120W to 200W off my battery for a few hours without engine. Is that just plain ol insane? Didn't want to have to run the engine the whole time.
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[jham]

I have a group 34 Die Hard. You'll probably have to lengthen some cables. I also re-did the ground to chassis connection with a much heavier gauge cable. Starting power and voltage increased.

 

[DoWnAqT]

27F will fit without mods really, thats the Toyota Tundra battery, I run a Interstate MTP-24F which is the strongest they make of the stock size, and I run a plow on it and it barely dims the lights now.

 

[Clifford]

I found this handy calculator (link below, scroll down to "How long can I run the inverter on my battery?") and it has become clear to me that given a high estimate of 200W, my dream of playing music for hours in the desert without the engine running is a pipe dream. And too risky. I will most likely just go for the stock size. Gonna have to run the motor- and will park farther away and bring an extension cord.

Inverter FAQ - DonRowe.com - Frequently Asked Questions about Power Inverters

Even if I estimate a more realistic 120W usage, the 59W/Hr of the stock group 35 size DH Platinum I get 2.45hrs. Not nearly enough overhead to play for a couple hours and not worry I won't be able to start the truck in the morning.

 

[supplyguy]

You and your buddies could all invest in a small portable gas generator maybe?

 

[Clifford]

Yes supplyguy great idea but I just don't have the time to get a hitch mounted rack and shop for generators before next weekend. I only have stock roof rack and need to bring a lot of firewood, gonna be cold! (Mojave north of Barstow)
Thanks- something worth looking into as I plan on getting more folks out there in the future!

 

[that$pit]

ever think of running two batteries, Don't know if another one will fit well on the other side, but its a thought

 

[Clifford]

I just got the stock size Die Hard Premium tonight at Sears- would have got a larger one but that was all they had and I don't have much time before departure on Friday. The old battery I had looked- old- and I'm almost positive I've had a few sluggish starts in the last month or 2. Anyway I will have better peace of mind over the next few years and esp this weekend. Thx.

 

[TXLX1]

27F fits with no modification (slightly overhangs plastic tray). It's less than 2" longer than 24f, and same height and width as 24f. I plan to use a group 31 next. 27F in an AGM battery would be ideal IMO, due to ease of install.

 

[jgue467]

...
I have 2 reasons for wanting largest I can fit:

1. Reliability/reserve. I go solo a lot and don't have any way to get going if my battery failed.

Well in that case, why not go this route: http://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerCo...60807993&sr=8-4&keywords=usb+car+jump+battery

Anker is not the cheapest of this type of battery but it is very high quality. I use Anker batts on my cell fones (they make all kinds of batts), last a Whole week without charging.

Get your favorite main battery and use this as a backup and its quite useful to charge fones and such when not in use. Luck. :cowboy:

 

[pauldub]

You can get a little genny from Harbor Freight for under $100

 

[pluton]

It's a four-year-old thread, but who knows....I replied!