Front Range 4x4 Upcoming Trail Runs - Add a New Trail Run

Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: AGM Battery Life

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Member
    #853
    Last Online
    December 23rd, 2023
    Location
    Highlands
    4x4
    2006 Jeep LJ
    Posts
    7,483
    User Name
    Java
    Real Name
    Paul
    Thanks Given
    2,070
    Thanked 1,788 Times in 1,261 Posts

    Default AGM Battery Life



    On Friday afternoon the battery in my Daily Driver died, it was so low I couldn't even jumpstart the car. It's a 4 year old regular battery and I haven't been using my car much with the Covid. I was going to replace it, but saw it as an opportunity to replace my Jeep's battery with a new one and move the Jeep battery to DD, so I bought an Optima Red Top for the Jeep. I couldn't believe the date on my old Jeep battery- July of 2012. It's a Dekka Intimidator AGM, and its working fine. I know they last longer, but it's twice as old as the one it's replacing and the car started right up.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Member
    #1596
    Last Online
    14 Hours Ago
    Location
    Timnath
    4x4
    2012 Rock Ware Buggy & 2007 JKUR
    Posts
    1,570
    User Name
    newracer
    Real Name
    Michael
    Thanks Given
    174
    Thanked 690 Times in 428 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    I have a couple of AGMs that are about 7 years old and stiill going strong. That is all I will buy, especially since the price has come way down.

    I hope you got a good Optima, they have been hit and miss since moving production.

  3. The Following Member Says Thanks to newracer For This Post:

    Java (October 20th, 2020)

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Member
    #2215
    Last Online
    November 10th, 2023
    Location
    Castle Rock Colorado
    4x4
    06 Jeep LJ
    Posts
    209
    User Name
    Rocrawlr
    Real Name
    Gerald
    Thanks Given
    151
    Thanked 146 Times in 64 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    newracer previously posted:
    "I hope you got a good Optima, they have been hit and miss since moving production"

    I bought one of the original Optima Red Tops in the early 80's and it lasted over 10 years in my CJ7. That was when Gates here in CO was the manufacturer. Gylling a Swedish company also in CO purchased Optima in the early 90s. Finally Johnson Controls purchased Optima in 2000. Johnson Controls, also manufacturer of Interstate Batteries, moved manufacturing plants off shore (not sure date). East Penn manufactures Deka. NAPA, and AAA batteries. East Penn is the last of the major battery companies producing batteries in the US. Johnson Controls was recently purchased by Clarios and the other major battery company Exide has filed for Chapter 11. I had the opportunity to talk to a battery engineer a few years back and he said the Optima 6 pack was a clever design but in his opinion had more to do with marketing than battery performance as the voids between the coiled cells were wasted space as compared to the stacked plates in for instance an Odyssey battery. IMHO, next time I need a battery I will be looking at AGMs manufactured by East Penn and Enersys (Odyssey/Northstar). BTW there is a currently a world wide shortage of automotive batteries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One more note, I have been using Deltran battery tenders for years on my Jeeps, boats, RVs. The tender significantly extends the life of batteries that sit for any period of time.

  5. The Following 2 Members Say Thanks to Rocrawlr For This Post:

    Brian (October 20th, 2020),Java (October 20th, 2020)

  6. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Member
    #853
    Last Online
    December 23rd, 2023
    Location
    Highlands
    4x4
    2006 Jeep LJ
    Posts
    7,483
    User Name
    Java
    Real Name
    Paul
    Thanks Given
    2,070
    Thanked 1,788 Times in 1,261 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    I got this one, if you scroll down the page they have rankings, fwiw, of various batteries. This is #3. Experiences vary, as do reviews, but it's a solid brand and I'm hopeful it will last a long time. We also just put a Diehard AGM into our Xterra, so far so good.

    https://www.dontwasteyourmoney.com/p...y/#allproducts

  7. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Member
    #2036
    Last Online
    September 8th, 2023
    Location
    Broomfield
    4x4
    2005 Wrangler Unlimited (LJ)
    Posts
    1,844
    User Name
    open_circuit
    Real Name
    Trent
    Thanks Given
    586
    Thanked 811 Times in 483 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    I just bought a new red top optima last month. I had a red top optima in the Jeep when I bought it from the previous owner, but I couldn't find any date on it to know how old it was. The battery was apparently made in Aurora, though, so that gives some range for when it was made.

  8. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Member
    #1730
    Last Online
    November 3rd, 2023
    Location
    Denver
    Age
    58
    4x4
    84 CJ8
    Posts
    735
    User Name
    Spieg
    Real Name
    Brian
    Thanks Given
    179
    Thanked 165 Times in 144 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    I've pretty well given up on Optima. Back in the day, red tops were hard to beat (had some last for 8-10 years), but after having a couple of more recent purchases fail within a month or so after the 3-year warranty, it left a bad taste (especially given the price).
    Had a Bosch AGM (~$200) that lasted over 5 years, but they aren't available any more. Most recently I got one of these (so far so good).
    https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli34agmdp
    ___________
    ~Not All Who Wander Are Lost~ (at least not all the time)

  9. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Member
    #853
    Last Online
    December 23rd, 2023
    Location
    Highlands
    4x4
    2006 Jeep LJ
    Posts
    7,483
    User Name
    Java
    Real Name
    Paul
    Thanks Given
    2,070
    Thanked 1,788 Times in 1,261 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    CCA today. Wouldn't start the Jeep this morning. Amazon was very nice, referred me to this https://www.optimabatteries.com/supp...anties-manuals and told me to contact them, if they didn't honor it to contact them back and they will help.

    Not happy about this, I'm leaving for Moab in a few days and I hope they can get it straight before then.

  10. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Member
    #1596
    Last Online
    14 Hours Ago
    Location
    Timnath
    4x4
    2012 Rock Ware Buggy & 2007 JKUR
    Posts
    1,570
    User Name
    newracer
    Real Name
    Michael
    Thanks Given
    174
    Thanked 690 Times in 428 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    I hope they take care of it quickly for you.

  11. The Following Member Says Thanks to newracer For This Post:

    Java (March 9th, 2022)

  12. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Member
    #853
    Last Online
    December 23rd, 2023
    Location
    Highlands
    4x4
    2006 Jeep LJ
    Posts
    7,483
    User Name
    Java
    Real Name
    Paul
    Thanks Given
    2,070
    Thanked 1,788 Times in 1,261 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    Very nice rep at Optima got back to me right away this morning and thinks that it's likely sulfated given the numbers it's showing. So I learned what sulfated means today and it turns out I already have a slow charger that should be able to reverse it. I'm going to set that up right now, should be good to go in 36 hours.

    Kudos to both Optima and Amazon customer services.

  13. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Member
    #853
    Last Online
    December 23rd, 2023
    Location
    Highlands
    4x4
    2006 Jeep LJ
    Posts
    7,483
    User Name
    Java
    Real Name
    Paul
    Thanks Given
    2,070
    Thanked 1,788 Times in 1,261 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    It's still sitting on the charger so I have no idea yet if it's good or bed but this drunk guy makes some good screaming points. I think this is my last Optima.


  14. #11
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Member
    #2618
    Last Online
    July 27th, 2022
    Location
    Nederland, CO
    Age
    47
    4x4
    2011 G-Wagen and 2006 Range Rover
    Posts
    1,092
    User Name
    speedkills
    Real Name
    Shane
    Thanks Given
    496
    Thanked 435 Times in 266 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    Even a stopped clock is right twice a day but I wouldn't put much credit in anything that guy says overall. He has a pretty bad track record.

  15. The Following Member Says Thanks to speedkills For This Post:

    Java (March 12th, 2022)

  16. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Member
    #2744
    Last Online
    January 27th, 2024
    Location
    Denver
    4x4
    2004 Wrangler Rubicon
    Posts
    376
    User Name
    Steve-O
    Real Name
    Steven
    Thanks Given
    300
    Thanked 164 Times in 101 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    Paul previously posted:
    " but this drunk guy makes some good screaming points."

    Just made me laugh out loud at the office, thanks Paul 😂
    ___________
    Steven
    2004 Wrangler Rubicon

  17. The Following Member Says Thanks to Steve-O For This Post:

    Java (March 12th, 2022)

  18. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Member
    #853
    Last Online
    December 23rd, 2023
    Location
    Highlands
    4x4
    2006 Jeep LJ
    Posts
    7,483
    User Name
    Java
    Real Name
    Paul
    Thanks Given
    2,070
    Thanked 1,788 Times in 1,261 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    speedkills previously posted:
    "Even a stopped clock is right twice a day but I wouldn't put much credit in anything that guy says overall. He has a pretty bad track record."

    It echoed some of the comments above so I shared it, but I'm not a fan either. He has a video about why you should buy and Xterra where he demonstrates just how little he knows about them. Lots of opinion, little fact.

  19. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Member
    #1730
    Last Online
    November 3rd, 2023
    Location
    Denver
    Age
    58
    4x4
    84 CJ8
    Posts
    735
    User Name
    Spieg
    Real Name
    Brian
    Thanks Given
    179
    Thanked 165 Times in 144 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    Interesting data although it would have been better to comare all the same size batteries;
    ___________
    ~Not All Who Wander Are Lost~ (at least not all the time)

  20. The Following Member Says Thanks to Spieg For This Post:

    Java (March 14th, 2022)

  21. #15
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Member
    #2609
    Last Online
    6 Days Ago
    Location
    Littleton, CO
    4x4
    Jeep TJ, Nissan Xterra, Ford E350
    Posts
    255
    User Name
    Trevor?
    Real Name
    Trevor
    Thanks Given
    59
    Thanked 198 Times in 116 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    An anecdote that might be interesting: I made a bonehead mistake a month and a half ago and left the key in the accessory position for a few days in my jeep. I drew down my year-old Odyessey AGM to 2 volts and I thought I killed it. I tried charging it but couldn't get it to hold above 11 or so volts, like one of the cells had a short maybe. I figured there was nothing to lose in trying a few more times, and after 4 overnight runs on the charger it eventually came back. It's holding mid 13s and it started the jeep no problem during that last cold snap.

    So yeah, sometimes they can be brought back. I'm not sure I'm out of the woods yet so i'll keep an eye on it... and I'm not about to take it on a trip so I understand not wanting to trust it, but hopefully it works out for you, Paul.

    On another note, I am always shocked at how quick the electrolyte level drops in wet-cells here in CO. I feel like I topped off my batteries annually back on the east coast with half-an-ounce or so, but here if I go more than 6 months I need to add an ounce or two to each cell.

  22. The Following Member Says Thanks to Trevor? For This Post:

    Java (March 22nd, 2022)

  23. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Member
    #853
    Last Online
    December 23rd, 2023
    Location
    Highlands
    4x4
    2006 Jeep LJ
    Posts
    7,483
    User Name
    Java
    Real Name
    Paul
    Thanks Given
    2,070
    Thanked 1,788 Times in 1,261 Posts

    Default Re: AGM Battery Life



    So far it seems OK, haven't tested the voltage yet but it's starting up normally after 3 days on the charger. I had a similar experience during the pandemic, I replaced our security door locks and tried to buy the best I am familiar with, Marks Locks. Growing up in NYC they were what I saw on a lot of stores and houses, everyone liked them and they were made in upstate New York. I spent the extra to get Marks, then found out they had been bought out and moved to the Dominican Republic and the "knock off" amazon had was the same lock with different branding. So far I've not had any problems, but it makes me wonder how long they're going to last. Same wonderment with the Optima. I've never had a battery run down before, but I've never had my toys sitting like during the last two years before...

Similar Threads

  1. Battery Recommendations
    By FINOCJ in forum General Topics
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: June 10th, 2019, 07:37 PM
  2. '11 JK Battery - Suggestions
    By Fatboris in forum General 4x4 Tech Topics
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: May 26th, 2016, 07:55 PM
  3. Battery Charger
    By Patrolman in forum Cool Finds
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: March 17th, 2016, 10:09 PM
  4. Car battery life question...
    By Jackie in forum General 4x4 Tech Topics
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: July 29th, 2013, 10:26 AM
  5. What battery for winching use?
    By Andrew in forum General Topics
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: January 1st, 2010, 05:09 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
BACK TO TOP