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Big batteries

Grendel

Grendel

Iron Sharpens Iron
Joined
May 19, 2020
Member Number
297
Messages
3,449
So, in two projects, I am moving dual batteries out of the engine compartment to some very long frame rails.

What's the cheapest, best, BIG AGM battery out there?

The trucks will be run here in the North East, where it gets cold. They're diesel trucks, with big alternators, too.

So, not just size, but also cranking amps and cranking duration.
 
So far, seems like Group 31 is it.

I had those in my head already.
 
Any $$$ available for lithium? The size to AH ratio will help you here, but they ain’t cheap.
 
As mentioned before odyssey’s are bad mofo’s. I ran on board PC’s , comms and such on yard spotter semis for my company . Odyssey was the only brand that could handle the load when not in use and when in use without going below minimum threshold for the inverter and shutting off the electronics losing all data . Highly recommend !
 
Leadfoot21 said:
As mentioned before odyssey’s are bad mofo’s. I ran on board PC’s , comms and such on yard spotter semis for my company . Odyssey was the only brand that could handle the load when not in use and when in use without going below minimum threshold for the inverter and shutting off the electronics losing all data . Highly recommend !
Click to expand...
I've run them. Back in the day, when they built their own, they were worth the premium. Now, not so much.

My last group 31 Odyssey swelled about 4 days passed warranty.

So I will probably go down to the big truck stop and see what they have. That's the other thing, need to be able to find/warranty them anywhere.

So maybe not a deep cycle, but two "start" batteries.
 
I have a Group 31 AGM from Interstate in my 68. Was roughly 250 (with commercial account).

For years before I ran Fleet Farm branded AGMs in my personal fleet, they just didn't have any in stock when I needed this one.

Been happy with this interstate for the last 2 years or so.

If it weren't for not wanting possiblity of acid to leak, I'd toss in a $100 group 31 or two from a truck parts shops.
 
Grendel said:
I've run them. Back in the day, when they built their own, they were worth the premium. Now, not so much.

My last group 31 Odyssey swelled about 4 days passed warranty.

So I will probably go down to the big truck stop and see what they have. That's the other thing, need to be able to find/warranty them anywhere.

So maybe not a deep cycle, but two "start" batteries.
Click to expand...
Your gonna have to go to a equipment dealer/battery store to get the 8d’s. They are pretty exclusively used in heavy equipment.

I got two choices by me the shitty battery guy or cat. I pay the extra premium on the battery to get the ones from cat. They can take the vibration a ton better than the battery store batteries.
 
Grendel said:
I've run them. Back in the day, when they built their own, they were worth the premium. Now, not so much.

My last group 31 Odyssey swelled about 4 days passed warranty.

So I will probably go down to the big truck stop and see what they have. That's the other thing, need to be able to find/warranty them anywhere.

So maybe not a deep cycle, but two "start" batteries.
Click to expand...
My experience with them spans over the last 9 years and still no issues but I understand .
 
Leadfoot21 said:
My experience with them spans over the last 9 years and still no issues but I understand .
Click to expand...
Installed our first one in 2007. Installed the last one in 2016. Big difference in the two.

To me, not worth the cost over an Interstate/Deka or other actual battery manufacturer more commonly found.
 
I may not go AGM, after seeing something like this:

www.wheelco.com

904D | Deka | 12v Heavy-Duty Commercial Group 4D Battery | 1050 CCA

Features & BenefitsGenuine calcium lead alloy provides longer waterless operation and extended battery life.Anchor-locked elements with full-frame grids and tight-packed commercial plates resist the damaging effects of vibration, delivering more power-perpound than other batteries.Contain...
www.wheelco.com www.wheelco.com



But then again, used these to really good affect, too:

 
Last edited:
Grendel said:
I may not go AGM, after seeing something like this:

www.wheelco.com

904D | Deka | 12v Heavy-Duty Commercial Group 4D Battery | 1050 CCA

Features & BenefitsGenuine calcium lead alloy provides longer waterless operation and extended battery life.Anchor-locked elements with full-frame grids and tight-packed commercial plates resist the damaging effects of vibration, delivering more power-perpound than other batteries.Contain...
www.wheelco.com www.wheelco.com



But then again, used these to really good affect, too:

Click to expand...

CAT also carries sealed 4D batteries. We run them in our Gensets. I recommend them.

https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/153-5700

They have a few versions.
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
$336.17 is my price on those guys. No core charge.
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Shipping would suck. :flipoff2: I think those are them, though.

Nice specs:


● 1125 cold cranking amps
● 305 reserve capacity minutes
● 145 amp hour capacity
● Size group 4D
● Forged SAE terminals
● Removeable caps
● Reinforced casing
● Flame arrestor safety vents
 
Grendel said:
Shipping would suck. :flipoff2: I think those are them, though.

Nice specs:


● 1125 cold cranking amps
● 305 reserve capacity minutes
● 145 amp hour capacity
● Size group 4D
● Forged SAE terminals
● Removeable caps
● Reinforced casing
● Flame arrestor safety vents
Click to expand...
The big thing I have found cat reinforced the plates so you can shake them harder before they fail. They can ride it out on my crushers for a few years before they go bad vs one Season for the other brands. They do this so they don’t fail on they dozers. The constant vibration of the tracks.

You should be able to walk into you local cat dealer and buy them no issues.
 
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Yep walk in a get at a local dealer but at ~100# you probably won't be just walking out. Just think thought you'll never notice your light wallet when you haul on of those out the door. :flipoff2:
 
ThePanzerFuhrer said:
The big thing I have found cat reinforced the plates so you can shake them harder before they fail. They can ride it out on my crushers for a few years before they go bad vs one Season for the other brands. They do this so they don’t fail on they dozers. The constant vibration of the tracks.

You should be able to walk into you local cat dealer and buy them no issues.
Click to expand...
I have friends that own quite a bit of Cat equipment. They had some machines with batteries in them that were like 20 plus years old. Pretty impressive for stuff that can sit for long periods of time in the winter with little use.
 
ntaylor said:
I have friends that own quite a bit of Cat equipment. They had some machines with batteries in them that were like 20 plus years old. Pretty impressive for stuff that can sit for long periods of time in the winter with little use.
Click to expand...
As long as you keep them charged they’ll survive winter just fine. They go dead and freeze they are fucked.
 
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