Battery replacement questions (is AGM always the way to go?)

[James9100]

Accidentally let my battery go dead and although I could probably charge it up I’m almost thinking maybe it’s time for a replacement anyways as it is nearly 8 years old (AcDelco flooded lead acid).
Read lots about recommended brands already, doesn’t seem to matter much these days if you spend the bank on an Odyssey or whatever so I think I’m leaning towards a NAPA (made by East Penn) or possibly a MotoMaster Eliminator from Canadian Tire (if anyone here happens to have experience with that one let me know how it’s been).
Have a few questions before I make a purchase though…

1. Is AGM better than conventional flooded in cold weather? I know it’s advertised to be but is that everyone’s experience?
2. I don’t drive my TJ daily, I do try to take it out at least once a week but that doesn’t always happen. From what I’ve read AGMs handle some sitting better due to the low self-discharge rate but again, is that everyones experience?
How long could an AGM roughly sit before it’s a problem?
3. Relating to #2… how long would you be fine with leaving an AGM sit for before putting it on a maintainer? I don’t really want to leave it on a maintainer full-time but I’ve read here that AGMs are rather high maintenance and that once they do discharge they’re pretty much shot.

My TJ does unfortunately sit outside, and being on the Canadian prairies we do see some pretty extreme cold.
Totally get how AGM is the way to go if you wheel but seeing as I don’t do any real wheeling I wanted to make sure that was still the way to go for me.
Basically my factors are
Cold weather
Periods of sitting (lets say 2 weeks max; in cold weather)

 

[James9100]

Or would you just charge it up and maybe give it a load test?
I was just thinking it may be an opportunity for preventative maintenance considering its age.

 

[ColoJeep]

For what it's worth I have used a NAPA legend AGM in my 99 4.0 TJ since 2010 it still works fine.
I like the no battery acid getting on top of the battery and never adding distilled water.

 

[TimV]

You may find this thread interesting:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/considering-a-12v-100ah-lifepo4-battery.80053/post-1603837

 

[Harold&Cat]

I recently switched to a NAPA marine AGM battery . It is a dual purpose battery , both start and deep cycle type . I bought it for the capability of it to run our refrigerator overnight while camping . It's a 34 series , so it is a direct fit .

 

[BlueC]

2. I don’t drive my TJ daily, I do try to take it out at least once a week but that doesn’t always happen. From what I’ve read AGMs handle some sitting better due to the low self-discharge rate but again, is that everyones experience?
How long could an AGM roughly sit before it’s a problem?
3. Relating to #2… how long would you be fine with leaving an AGM sit for before putting it on a maintainer? I don’t really want to leave it on a maintainer full-time but I’ve read here that AGMs are rather high maintenance and that once they do discharge they’re pretty much shot.

I don't know if there's a real difference between the two. I have both in multiple vehicles that sit for extended periods, especially in the winter, and they all seem to do the same. I tend to hook up a charger about every 3-4 weeks of sitting, and the charger always says my AGM in my Jeep is lowest on a % rating, but it's also my oldest battery right now, and the only one that isn't unhooked while sitting, so make of that what you will.

Back in '16 I decided to switch over to OReillys batteries, which I think are built by Johnson Controls, and I had good experience with them, AGM and lead-acid.

 

[mrblaine]

I recently switched to a NAPA marine AGM battery . It is a dual purpose battery , both start and deep cycle type . I bought it for the capability of it to run our refrigerator overnight while camping . It's a 34 series , so it is a direct fit .

View attachment 578208

If you don't put a low voltage cut-off protection device on that, you're gonna be very sad.

 

[mrblaine]

Accidentally let my battery go dead and although I could probably charge it up I’m almost thinking maybe it’s time for a replacement anyways as it is nearly 8 years old (AcDelco flooded lead acid).
Read lots about recommended brands already, doesn’t seem to matter much these days if you spend the bank on an Odyssey or whatever so I think I’m leaning towards a NAPA (made by East Penn) or possibly a MotoMaster Eliminator from Canadian Tire (if anyone here happens to have experience with that one let me know how it’s been).
Have a few questions before I make a purchase though…

1. Is AGM better than conventional flooded in cold weather? I know it’s advertised to be but is that everyone’s experience?
2. I don’t drive my TJ daily, I do try to take it out at least once a week but that doesn’t always happen. From what I’ve read AGMs handle some sitting better due to the low self-discharge rate but again, is that everyones experience?
How long could an AGM roughly sit before it’s a problem?
3. Relating to #2… how long would you be fine with leaving an AGM sit for before putting it on a maintainer? I don’t really want to leave it on a maintainer full-time but I’ve read here that AGMs are rather high maintenance and that once they do discharge they’re pretty much shot.

My TJ does unfortunately sit outside, and being on the Canadian prairies we do see some pretty extreme cold.
Totally get how AGM is the way to go if you wheel but seeing as I don’t do any real wheeling I wanted to make sure that was still the way to go for me.
Basically my factors are
Cold weather
Periods of sitting (lets say 2 weeks max; in cold weather)

I know 2 things to be true. AGM are the only thing I will run due to the non spillable nature which keeps acid away from stuff I tend to like. AGM are not the tiniest bit forgiving when it comes to being left to sit in a discharged state. If you miss that it ran down and sat for even 24 hours, you're likely going to need a new one. If you are one who needs to let a battery sit for a few weeks at a time, get a good maintainer on it.

 

[B1Toad]

FWIW I bought this one in Oct https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...post-battery-group-size-34m/ssbj/34magm?pos=2 which is made by East Penn and spec wise seems to be identical to the non-marine model that costs $90 more. Plus I got another 20% off by ordering it online delivered to my door (they give you a ticket to get your core charge back locally). So it ended up being $136 plus tax. The warranty is only 1 year but like I said it's the same battery as the one for $259 except for the extra threaded marine posts (which are great for aux loads) so I suspect the 1 year warranty reflects frequent returns due to the neglect of marine batteries in general.

It's also sold under the Duracell name which some people here on the forum are using but the O'reilly version with online ordering is the cheapest, (if the 20% is still available right now).

I also bought the little NOCO 2 amp maintainer and leave it plugged in all the time if I am not driving the Jeep. I installed it under the hood with the plug accessible from the front bumper area.

 

[ChadH]

I have been using Full River Full Throttle series batteries and have been very happy. Spoke with one of their electrical engineers and they seem to be better built than other options. I have also used their DC series for house batteries in the camping setup of my Gladiator and they performed very well. Pricier than other options but IMO not something to skimp on if your like me and can easily be 50+ miles from cell reception - bad time to get a battery caused no-start.

FWIW I bought this one in Oct https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...post-battery-group-size-34m/ssbj/34magm?pos=2 which is made by East Penn and spec wise seems to be identical to the non-marine model that costs $90 more. Plus I got another 20% off by ordering it online delivered to my door (they give you a ticket to get your core charge back locally). So it ended up being $136 plus tax. The warranty is only 1 year but like I said it's the same battery as the one for $259 except for the extra threaded marine posts (which are great for aux loads) so I suspect the 1 year warranty reflects frequent returns due to the neglect of marine batteries in general.

It's also sold under the Duracell name which some people here on the forum are using but the O'reilly version with online ordering is the cheapest, (if the 20% is still available right now).

I also bought the little NOCO 2 amp maintainer and leave it plugged in all the time if I am not driving the Jeep. I installed it under the hood with the plug accessible from the front bumper area.

NOCO's have an issue charging at temps below freezing though, FYI - unless they changed their internals in the last year or so.

 

[B1Toad]

NOCO's have an issue charging at temps below freezing though, FYI - unless they changed their internals in the last year or so.

Hadn't heard that but we don't get much freezing weather here anyway and when we do it's normally only for a few hours, (and usually only a few degrees below freezing). I use Victron Blue Smart chargers on some other stuff but they are too big to fit under the hood of the TJ.

Guess it would be a consideration for the OP though.

 

[Harold&Cat]

If you don't put a low voltage cut-off protection device on that, you're gonna be very sad.

Agreed , the refrigerator and inverter both have low voltage protection .

 

[Mr. Bills]

I know 2 things to be true. AGM are the only thing I will run due to the non spillable nature which keeps acid away from stuff I tend to like. AGM are not the tiniest bit forgiving when it comes to being left to sit in a discharged state. If you miss that it ran down and sat for even 24 hours, you're likely going to need a new one. If you are one who needs to let a battery sit for a few weeks at a time, get a good maintainer on it.

^^ This.

The primary advantage of an AGM starting battery in a jeep is zero chance of acid spills, not that it will start your jeep or run your winch any better than a flooded lead acid battery.

If you are a wheeler who never puts your jeep in a rollover situation, then the Costco Interstate Group 34 flooded lead acid battery for $114.99 is a great buy.

If you want AGM and don't want to spend the big bucks for an Odyssey ($385) that is overkill for 98% of jeepers, the mid-level Group 34 AGM battery manufactured by East Penn is also a great buy. This battery is sold with many labels, including the Deka Intimidator, O-Reilly Super Start Platinum, the NAPA Legend Premium, and the Duracell AGM. All of these sell for less than $300.

Regardless of battery type, a good maintainer is essential. I use the Costco-only 4A Deltran Battery Tender, $49.99.

 

[tworley]

I am using a Northstar X2. Going on 4+ years now though it sits on a schumacher 1.5A maintainer for 6 months out of the year.

 

[Moglocker]

If you don't put a low voltage cut-off protection device on that, you're gonna be very sad.

Hey do you have a link for this low voltage cutoff?because this is probably what just killed my expensive x2 northstar,I have a maintainer but forgot to plug it in one time when we went back home and now it’s bad warranty till 2027-thanks.

 

[mrblaine]

Hey do you have a link for this low voltage cutoff?because this is probably what just killed my expensive x2 northstar,I have a maintainer but forgot to plug it in one time when we went back home and now it’s bad warranty till 2027-thanks.

There are many different styles based on application. Where would you put it or put another way, what are you needing to kill the draw from?

We are using one for a higher wattage USB charging port so stuff can be used with the key off. The voltage can be set so that once it gets down to that point, it will kill the output and save the battery.

 

[cliffish]

Hey do you have a link for this low voltage cutoff?because this is probably what just killed my expensive x2 northstar,I have a maintainer but forgot to plug it in one time when we went back home and now it’s bad warranty till 2027-thanks.

I was going to ask the same...just let my TJ battery go totally dead and it was a nightmare to get it started to put it away for the winter. I usually have a trickle charge but got lazy.

 

[OHFIVETJ]

Installed an Odyssey over the summer, Autozone had a sale so far so good, keep ya posted in 10 yrs

 

[Apparition]

Hey do you have a link for this low voltage cutoff?because this is probably what just killed my expensive x2 northstar,I have a maintainer but forgot to plug it in one time when we went back home and now it’s bad warranty till 2027-thanks.

Does your Fridge have a low voltage cutoff? My Dometic has it built in.

 

[James9100]

Lots of great responses guys, thanks! Thinking I’m going to go AGM and if it sits for more than 2 weeks (or do you guys think that’s too long?) without being driven then I’ll throw a maintainer on it until it is driven.

NOCO's have an issue charging at temps below freezing though, FYI - unless they changed their internals in the last year or so.

Okay I was looking at the NOCO but not functioning in cold weather was a concern I had as, like I said, my TJ sits outside year round.
Anyone know of a maintainer that won’t have a problem in the cold?