Battery Help

[CJAKE7]

I need a new battery - it will not hold a charge. I know very little about batteries but I want to plan for future accessories.
Right now I have a duralast 56-dl(610 cca). My goal for the jeep(85 CJ7 ) is used for deep woods camping. Planned accessories would be lights, water pump(for on board water), etc. at the campsite. No winch is in my plans at this point. I am undecided if I will go with a dual battery set up in the future or not. What do you guys recommend as far as a larger battery but keeping my stock alternator for now? Or is what I have fine? I'm in the dark.

 

[IOPort51]

buy the biggest , most CCA, that will fit in the battery box. The stock Alternator is pretty small but will do the job pretty well until you decide it is a problem.

 

[Rube83]

Also take note at what temp the batteries CCA's are rated at - some batteries say CA XXX amps @ 32 deg which is completely different then CCA @ 0 Deg F. CA's are 32 deg and CCA is 0 Deg.

 

[Torxhead]

On the rear of the battery mounting plate there is a little piece that can be removed for installing a larger battery, btw. If you live in an area where corrosion is a factor, then adding a brass battery battery clamp with a copper eye terminal, will make for a more secure battery connection, since it mixes up the connector material helping against corrosion.

 

[CJAKE7]

Thanks for the input guys. Are any of you loyal to any brand or are they all basically the same.

 

[Posi]

If your planning for a few additional accessories I would recommend upgrading your alternator from a 10SI to 12SI at minimum if you haven't already. It's basically a plug and play. I believe the 2 most important things with an alternator used in Jeeps is cooling, and idle charging amps, being we do a lot of crawling/idling in warmer weather. The 10SI in your CJ has a small fan and vents that don't allow for enough cooling and the idle output is low compared to the 12SI or CS units. The 10SI is rated at 37, 42, 55, 61, and 63 amps. The most popular is 55 amps and is most likely what is in your CJ. The 12SI is rated at 56, 66, 78, and 94 amps. The most popular is 78amps.


The CS144 series is the best at charging at or near idle with good cooling compatibilities plus it would be working at a low rate which will extend the life of the alternator. However, not a difficult install it isn’t a plug and play. I would also recommend a 825 to 850 CCA battery.

 

[Rube83]

I stick to CAT Batteries - but I'm a little biased...... 1200 CCA's goes a long way.

 

[Old Dog]

A lot of people including myself have been having problems with the newer Optima batteries, I'd stay away from them.

 

[Petescj]

A lot of people including myself have been having problems with the newer Optima batteries, I'd stay away from them.

Alot of people have been dealing with this from Optima. I dont know who makes them but I like the NAPA batteries. Ive had good luck with them.

 

[Posi]

I dont know who makes them but I like the NAPA batteries. Ive had good luck with them.

East Penn Manufacturing in RI

 

[mtnwhlr]

I hate acid batts and will never buy another one. I have been buying Optima but have been hearing bad things about them now that they are made in Mexico so I guess I will need to find a new gel batt to buy the next time I need one.

 

[Rusty4x]

Here's what our mechanics are putting in all the emergency vehicles. These batteries can be installed in any position like optima. They also seem much more durable than the interstate batteries they use to have to replace all the time.
This is the route I'm going.
ODYSSEY Batteries - Official Manufacturer's Site

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

Here's what our mechanics are putting in all the emergency vehicles. These batteries can be installed in any position like optima. They also seem much more durable than the interstate batteries they use to have to replace all the time.
This is the route I'm going.
ODYSSEY Batteries - Official Manufacturer's Site

Before buying my red top, I looked very hard at this battery. I thought about interstate as thats what I run in our everyday vechicles. The fact that I got the optima on sale for $125 is the only reason I did not get the oddyessy. Eventually the red top will move to my tractor and dual odyessies will slide in the CJ7 .

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[Posi]

Few companies make batteries

The batteries mentioned in this thread are made by:

Napa = Eastern- Penn and Jonson Control
Odyssey = Eastern- Penn
Optima = Johnson control

Johnson Control builds for the big box stores like sears, auotzone, advance auto, walmart, costcos and such.

I prefer Eastern Penn, besides Odyssey they also makes duracel and most AGM batteries.

 

[mstar]

From what I hear on this forum and a nw fishing forum the Odyssey seems to be the new Optima.The battery shop I deal with told me about the optima problems a few years ago and won't sell them at all.They keep a couple for warrenty. That being said I have a 10 year old yellow top in the '69 that's still going strong. Go figure. mike

 

[Neuner]

Few companies make batteries

The batteries mentioned in this thread are made by:

Napa = Eastern- Penn and Jonson Control
Odyssey = Eastern- Penn
Optima = Johnson control

Johnson Control builds for the big box stores like sears, auotzone, advance auto, walmart, costcos and such.

I prefer Eastern Penn, besides Odyssey they also makes duracel and most AGM batteries.

You beat me to it For your general lead-acid batteries there are only 2-3 manuf so it doesn't matter what brand you pick.

 

[mstar]

Just because a company makes a product for several retailers doesn't mean they are all made to the same specification.Don't fall into that trap.

mike

 

[Petescj]

Just because a company makes a product for several retailers doesn't mean they are all made to the same specification.Don't fall into that trap.

mike

Thats the truth. Ive seen it up close and personal when I was working for Kraft. We made alot of off brands that you would find on the shelves cheaper. There was alot more filler and such in those brands and you could taste it.

 

[Swilliams]

I have also had good luck with the Napa batteries. I use to use Interstate but dealer closed down in my area so I went to Napa

 

[wm69]

Sears Diehard Platinum is a rebadged Odyssey.

Optimas are made in mexico now. I've run Optimas since the late 90's, but won't buy another one. The last two I bought were both dead in under 6 months.