'11 JK Battery - Suggestions

[Fatboris]

I've run several batteries over the years, I used Optima Yellow Tops in my rigs but I've heard hey aren't what they used to be. I'm not running a bunch of accessories. Single battery setup, Warn winch, no other accessories to speak of. I work in oil and gas so I don't need to elaborate on the state of finances right now. The vehicle does sit at times for months so this go round I'll be putting a quick disconnect on the battery.

Is anyone a raving fan of any batteries out there? I want to be as excited about my battery as this guy is about his...Oi!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2RSu9Gw61U

[Chris]

Go to Batteries+ and see if they can wire up a bunch of Energizers for you to be as excited as Jacko!

[Jim]

I have a "garden variety" battery in mine - that came in the jeep 4+ years ago (this might be its last season).

I prescribe to the "buy the largest that will fit" mentality but don't otherwise get into brand/type. The prior owner perhaps had the same philosophy as this battery does not fit the tray - it overhangs a fair bit.

The jeep can sit for a month+ in the winter and I've never had issue with it not starting (no battery disconnect either).

I've had some hard pulls with the winch - the hardest might have been close to terminal melting*. I'd have no issue with garden variety again.

* Ask Chris & Rob about the time we pulled a tree off of a trail and I kept being pulled, sitting sideways on a trail, standing on the brake pedal, front wheels into a wheel rut and Chris hooked up to my tail end for extra support and his front bumper was pulled out/away from his vehicle - that was a hard winch pull - straight line via one angle change pulley.

[Tom]

Watching this thread. Have a new winch arriving Fri and 4 yr old oem battery.

[Java]

I have an Exide gel cell in my Jeep with just a winch, OEM otherwise. It's done it's job since 2011 without any issues, I'd get another one.

NAPA battery in my wife's Xterra, came with it. Solid so far.

My DD has a $24.95 battery from the recyclers just west of 44th and Kipling.

They all work, but I like the Gel Cells for offroad. I had a red top Optima in my last Jeep that never failed in 10 years.

[Brian]

My last battery was an Optima Red Top. It lasted 12 years. My rig sits most winters as well. I just pull the cables off and leave it in a trickle charger. Needless to say I replaced it with another Optima Red Top.

[Spieg]

Agree with getting the biggest/heaviest battery that will fit the tray. If your vehicle sits for long periods, I'd get a battery tender... Best thing you can do to extend life (especially in winter ).

Personally I'm a fan of AGM batteries to keep acid creep away; but they can be expensive. I got a Bosch Platinum at pep boys on a good sale a few months ago (made by same company as Odyssey but half the price).

[newracer]

I have Diehard Platinums (rebranded Odyssey) in both of my jeeps but I heard they are no longer available. I think they are available from other sources though.

Many people just say but a decent one from Walmart as they have a decent warranty and can be replaced anywhere.

[dieseldoc]

optima used to be built in Colorado they are Mexican made now. I have yellow top that was sold as a blemish from interstate batteries, its going on 8 years old, sat in storage for 4 years, deep cycle charged it and works just fine.
melted the ground post(chevy one) on a hard pull in my sami buggy....I would do one again.

gel cell is a good Idea but as mentioned above the biggest one you can fit, the more CCA you have on hand the better.

[Chris]

Doink previously posted:

[Fatboris]

Appreciate it. I'll have to pull the battery. I think there's a spacer in there that cuts down the tray size. I'll pull it and measure that up.

[Bob]

X2 on Napa because of all their locations, even in a lot of small towns. For the most part, lead acid batteries are made by the same few companies, so what you buy is basically the same but with different retail branding.

[Brian]

I've heard the same thing Chris. The first one was bought in 1999 and replaced with another one in 2011. We'll see how this newer one does. Five years on this one and so far so good.

[Geno]

I ran Optimas for years, they are not what they use to be. I still have a yellow top in the wife,s Highlander. I am running Odyssey,s in all the trucks with winches. I am very happy so far, had a issue with one in Roberts Blazer at 37 months, well,they still replaced it 100%. they have 3 year full replacement. When I blew up the motor in jeep in June 2013 , I winched to the tree at the "ledge" at the bottom of Hackett gulch, ran my CB for 2 days and ran the lights on jeep for 6 hours all with the motor not running, charged back up when I got it home 2 days later, and to this day still no problems. I will buy Odysseys for the near future, I know they are big $$ but when I needed to winch my dead jeep up a hill at night and headlights till 1 am , it came through and worked great. my

[Hypoid]

I'm running the AGM from East Penn Manufacturing. So far, so good, but I'm not putting anything more than cranking loads on it... Yet.

I bought mine from Hensley Battery, then noticed East Penn also produces the AGMs for Auto Zone and O'Reilly's. Price-wise, they are not much more than a regular lead-acid battery.

I will likely buy another when I need a new battery.

[Fatboris]

Chris previously posted:

[Fatboris]

This gives me a strong short list. One of the few occasions I have time, which is good because I have no money. I'll watch the sale ads until something hits my price point. Geno, I have that mindset with recovery gear, I wont buy cheap or Chinese. You're spot on, and since it's not a DD my battery will only really matter when I am on a trail (or in a bind). Hopefully oil will get back over $60 a barrel. Then I can get back to rig life and afford a dual battery setup with a pair of Odysseys