Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Although I know that PHCA is one way of rating a battery, I do wish all battery makers still included CCA so we can compare apples to apples. The Odyssey above lists CCA (330) but the Braille does not.

IMHO, I don't consider 330 CCA enough to support an everyday vehicle.

I first look for CCA of at least what the car originally came with, then brand quality and last weight.

NemesisC5

I've read that CCA refers to power available at zero degrees F. In warm weather typically one CCA per CID is a good benchmark, in cold weather typically two CCA per CID is a good benchmark. If you keep an Odyssey or Braille on battery maintainer it will likely provide you reliable starts as needed. I've been taking notice of posts regarding batteries for the last week or so and when I replace mine I plan to go with a lighter weight model like possibly one of the two I posted links for. I'm still looking and researching....

5.7stroker

iTrader: (36)

Right now I'm using an autocraft silver 25/75 in my trunk and I'm wanting to upgrade to a 34/78 AGM with 800+ cca. I've gone through 2 of these batteries under warranty in 4 years. Some times my car will sit for weeks so I use my deltran battery tender plus on the autocraft. The car is hard to turn over because I have the aftermarket grounds on the alt bracket instead of the block. When I install my 145a AD244 alternator, I'll have access to the ground bolt and will wire it properly then. I heard that people used the deltran battery tender plus on optima red tops for years with no issue.

What should I get now that the optima batteries have poor quality control and are failing left and right? I've heard good things about these class 34 type batteries:

XS power D3400 - $280
Odyssey HEPPC1500T - $300 (used to be diehard platiunum was the same?)
Deka Intimidator - 9A34R - $190 (same as Super Start 34/78PLT from O'Reillys for $189?) Probably the same as the Advance auto one which takes 30% coupon and also the duralast platinum from autozone. All look to have the same case and same specs. These are made by deka/East Penn rather than Johnson controls. There's also a DEKA 9A78DT on rockauto for $157 + shipping.

Anyone use a ACDELCO 34AGM 88864538? EXIDE PLAGM3478? Northstar NSB-AGM-34/78?

Since all batteries are pretty much made by the same 4 companies, I might as well get a deka
9A78DT from rock auto and call it a day.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

I bought an Interstate Megtron Plus BCI 65 to install in my trunk. Other than some test starting, it's been on a shelf all this time. While being on a battery tender, it's not lasted through two seasons.

I have an Odyssey Extreme series in my DD truck going on three years without fail.

There are a handful of AGM batteries on the market, Odyssey Extreme seems to best them all in every spec. Their BCI 65 has 950 CCA. I'll be buying this battery.

CCA (cold cranking amps) is current sustained for 30 seconds at zero degrees Fahrenheit.

And yeah, Optima isn't what it used to be.

Tuskyz28

Wonder if you take the your wires off the battery posts for the winter if it helps the battery stay charged up?

5.7stroker

iTrader: (36)

The battery will lose charge over time even with nothing hooked to it. My kill switch kills everything so no parasitic draw but it will still drain normally over time.

The rock auto 34/78 AGM deka seems to be the best deal and it has 995 ambient temp cranking amps per the rock auto specs. The Orielly 34/78PLT says 890 cranking amps. I'm tempted to call east penn and see what the actual specs are.

5.7stroker

iTrader: (36)

Sams has the 34/78 Deka w/ 775 cca for the best price at $129

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/durace...lp_product_1_2

1bdbrd

iTrader: (12)

Will this one be a direct swap in for a stock battery? I haven't been able to find external dimensions yet to make sure it will actually fit.

5.7stroker

iTrader: (36)

A direct swap is a group 75. I don't know if sams has the duracell AGM in a group 75. They have this which is not an AGM:

https://m.samsclub.com/ip/duracell-a...75/prod3590272

I'm going to get the group 34/78 because it's going in my trunk.

Here's the deka 75

http://www.remybattery.com/intimidat...t-battery.html

Looks like some have gotten certain brands of 34/78 to fit in the stock location under the hood.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...ttery-fit.html

1bdbrd

iTrader: (12)

That sucks that the OE size AGM is $50 more than the relabeled one is. I will give some thought to stuffing the bigger guy in there though. Thanks for the clarification!

98CayenneT/A

$65 walmart

5.7stroker

iTrader: (36)

AGM batteries are typically more expensive than the other technologies. Sam's has the cheapest price on the agm type.

Majestic9C1

iTrader: (19)

Using an O'Reilly 78 series in the factory location

wannafbody

iTrader: (2)

Watch some AGM's such as a Miata battery have the terminals reversed

1bdbrd

iTrader: (12)

Oh yeah I know the AGM is more expensive. I was meaning the bigger Duracell group 34/78 sized battery is cheaper than the smaller OEM AGM battery.

Did you do any mods to make it fit? The threads above made it seem like some small mods are needed but didn't look too bad.

5.7stroker

iTrader: (36)

After reading some more, I don't think you'll have a problem making the duracell 34/78 AGM fit with some minor bending.

Ridin' Dirty 666

I went with the size 75 Duracell branded EastPenn battery that you listed. It's been over two years, no problems yet. I only drive her 3 or 4 times a month, no tender, and she has cranked strong every time. I have even drained it at least twice while muxing with the stereo. Sitting outside on frozen football Sundays for 8 hours has not been a problem either.

5.7stroker

iTrader: (36)

Good to hear this. It's interesting how some people say that AGM's need to be on a tender all the time when not in use.

Majestic9C1

iTrader: (19)

nope.. a little tight on the radiator side but it does fit...

Ridin' Dirty 666

I do not have the AGM, just the standard acid flooded batt in the stock location. Sorry for the confusion.