Post by: JFanaselle on October 21, 2017, 12:35:41 PM
Just over 2 years ago, I purchased an Odyssey Extreme AGM battery. At the time, the guy at the parts store told me the one that fit my rig is the 35-PC1400T (Group 35). The battery is now starting to act up on me (slow starts after a few days of sitting, voltage testing in the low 11v range after a few days of sitting), and I'm about to replace it. In searching for the same battery, I also stumbled upon the 34R-1500T (group 34) model, which seems to fit. The specs on the two batteries are very similar, and the prices are within $10 or $11 bucks of each other. The group 34 model seems to have more cold cranking amps (880 vs 850 on the group 35), and the reserve capacity minutes is slightly higher (135 minutes vs. 125 minutes on the group 35). The group 34 is actually the slightly cheaper battery, and I just want to make sure I'm not doing something stupid before I buy it. Anyone have any experience installing a group 34? There is some feedback on TNX that it's shorter (about an inch), and requires a spacer under it in order for the OEM battery clamp to work. I'm ok with this, just need to make sure the battery will work, and is in-fact better than the group 35 I already have in there.
Here's a link to the two batteries: https://www.4wheelparts.com/Batteries.aspx?t_c=6&t_s=12&t_pt=4219
Post by: RBduffer on October 21, 2017, 02:40:33 PM
But for that kind of $$$ it should last at least 4 or 5 years. Either you got a bum battery. or there is something wrong with your charging/regulation system. I hope that they at least pro rate it. As far as the spec differences go, they seem too close to worry about. Any decent battery should crank our rigs. If you are running a fridge or such while parked then more amp hours is what you are looking for. BTW are you using solar to maintain your battery?
Post by: knightrider on October 22, 2017, 02:02:54 AM
They need to be charged at a higher voltage(14.8v) with high amperage (20a+) bulk with a 13.7v float charge which most vehicles won't do. The nissan smart charging system will put out around 14.2v when the battery is low and 13.2v(the voltages can vary depending on the age of your alternator) when the battery is topped off but this is not enough to truly fully charge an odyssey.
Odyssey has lots of published info regarding charging their batteries properly and have also done tests with different charge voltages, 14.2v vs 14.8v charging was 50 cycles vs 300 cycles until total capacity was down to 80%
http://www.odysseybattery.com/documents/US-ODY-TM-002_1214.pdf
Finding a charger to top off the battery is a bit of a chore as you also can't go over 15v or you risk offgassing and that will reduce the capacity. Having solar with a programmable controller is nice so you can charge the battery with the higher voltage while out camping.
I had a charger that was specifically marketed for the Sears diehard platinum batteries (odyssey made diehard platinum for Sears before they recently switched to Northstar) and i believe it was partially the reason why my Diehard Platinum 100ah 31m now has 11ah of capacity after 4 years.
I am also partially my fault for deep discharging it but i always charged it with my expensive ass charger without realizing it regularly would go into equalization mode and get up to 16v when in the Diehard platinum automatic charge mode, silly me for trusting them to properly design a charger to match the expensive battery.
I have since switched to North star batteries which have the great thin plate technology(offers higher capacity along with high amp draw for starting) of the odyssey but don't have as strict charging rules, they still require a higher 14.4v for optimal charging and don't require the high amperage rate. Batteries Plus has a store brand that is made by Northstar, additionally they offer a better warranty than Northstar as well (60 vs 48)
https://www.northstarbattery.com/product/nsb-agm-27f?p=51233
https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli27fagmdp
I also bought a new charger that has the proper voltage to charge my Northstar battery as well as a high voltage mode for odyssey batteries. It doesn't have quite the amps I wanted but it gets the job done, just takes longer.
The 27F group Northstar/BatteriesPlus is a direct fit for the xterra with the terminals on the correct side, no modification to the battery terminals and has more capacity that the 35 or 34 group batteries.
Post by: Celt on October 22, 2017, 07:10:48 AM
Post by: Ghost65 on October 22, 2017, 09:03:28 AM
I used these folks, as all they sell/produce/recycle are batteries:
American Battery Supply Escondido (https://www.yelp.com/biz/american-battery-supply-escondido)
When I discussed with them what I do (winch (hardly ever), fridge, off road lights) they (along with texting Jordan) were able to get me pointed in the right direction, which was a nice AGM style batt.
My new battery did require a fabbed shim on the top plate to fit correctly (new one was smaller), but it came with an expected life of 6-8 years and a 4 year full replacement warranty. They also installed my new battery and recycled the old one in about 30 minutes. They also ran a diagnostic of my alternator/charging system for peace of mind.
Post by: JFanaselle on October 22, 2017, 09:23:39 AM
I called 4 Wheel Parts and was told the Odyssey battery only had a 1 year warranty (they looked up my receipt I bought it just over 2 years ago), but I found the same 48 month info online that you guys are saying. Maybe that's just how long they take care of it in store, and I should call Odyssey directly. If they'll replace it for free or even prorate it, I guess I'll just go with another one. If not, I think I'll swing by my local Batteries + and pick up the 27F that knightrider is running.
Edit: I found this info on Odyssey's own warranty card. With this kind of verbiage, I can bet any kind of warranty replacement is going to be a pain, especially if 4 wheel parts isn't going to work with me on it. I should probably just anticipate buying something new.
Overcharging, undercharging, charging or installing in reverse polarity, improper maintenance, allowing the Battery to be deeply
discharged via a parasitic load or mishandling of the Battery such as but not limited to using the terminals for lifting or carrying the
Battery. Trickle chargers that do not have a regulated trickle charge voltage between 13.5V and 13.8V (no lower than 13.5V and no
higher than 13.8V) will cause early failure of the Battery. Use of such chargers with the Battery will also void the Battery’s warranty.
For applications where an alternator is present, the alternator must deliver between 14.0V and 14.7V when measured at the
Battery’s terminals. Consult the ODYSSEY battery technical manual or owner’s manual for any necessary temperature
compensation. Alternators that do not have a regulated charge between 14.0V and 14.7V (no lower than 14.0V and no higher than
14.7V) will cause early failure of the Battery. Use of such alternators with the Battery will also void the Battery’s warranty.
Post by: RBduffer on October 23, 2017, 11:21:41 AM
Either way, I would get your charging/regulation system checked out first. No sense replacing an alternator if your regulator or battery is the issue, and vice versa. And you're right, the cold will make things worse. Good luck
Post by: JFanaselle on October 23, 2017, 11:57:26 AM
I do still want to have the alternator tested to make sure I'm charging at optimal voltage. I'm sure 7 years of water crossings and mud/dust/dirt have taken a toll on my OEM alternator. Is there an easy way to test these, or does it require some kind of fancy auto store tools like doing a load test on the battery?
Post by: Celt on October 23, 2017, 12:43:54 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGB6ZEjGm7Q
Hope it helps...
Post by: RBduffer on October 23, 2017, 10:46:24 PM
Great video Erik, easy peezy.
Post by: RikRong on February 01, 2018, 04:14:26 PM
I'm looking at maintaining the charge on my Odyssey battery. I don't deep discharge, but after reading this thread and many "over there", I've come to the conclusion that I need to throw a charger on this thing every so often, as the Xterra's charging system is only capable of about an 80% charge. I've made up my mind on a charger that's on the Odyssey approved list. My question is this: how often should I plug it in? Once a month? Once a week? Check with a multi-meter and only charge if it's below 14? Thanks for the help. I wish I had done slightly more research prior to buying my Odyssey.
Post by: knightrider on February 01, 2018, 07:20:26 PM
which charger did you go with?
Post by: RikRong on February 01, 2018, 07:31:29 PM
I try to top mine off once a month and after trips that I don't use the solar panels.Okay, that's what I was thinking.
which charger did you go with?
As for the charger, I was looking at the Powermania Turbo M212E. However, I think I'm just going to stick with the Odyssey one because the Powermania charger doesn't have clips. Do you have a suggestion for a better option? I'm open to any suggestions.
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Post by: Celt on February 01, 2018, 07:33:45 PM
Post by: JFanaselle on February 02, 2018, 01:52:26 PM
knight rider - are you saying that you still top off your Northstar knock-off? I figured I didn't need to do that now that I stepped away from Odyssey. Maybe I should be looking at investing in a charger too. :-[
Post by: RikRong on February 02, 2018, 02:43:50 PM
https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-353-12-Volt-Battery-Charger/dp/B000FRLO9Y/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517611120&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=c-tek+mus+7002
Post by: knightrider on February 02, 2018, 02:52:08 PM
Rick I have that exact charger because it has all the features I wanted, the output isn't as high as I wanted but it does the job.
Post by: RikRong on February 02, 2018, 03:05:22 PM
the Northstar doesnt need it but I do it just because it can't hurt. Northstar uses the same thin plate technology as odyssey but supposedly they do not need the higher voltage like the odyssey.Perfect, thanks for the input. I've been looking at stupid chargers for hours, my typical over-thinking of things.
Rick I have that exact charger because it has all the features I wanted, the output isn't as high as I wanted but it does the job.
Post by: Celt on February 02, 2018, 04:48:45 PM
Celt - go with the one I bought from Batteries Plus - the same one knight rider recommended. It's freaking awesome for the price, and has a much larger capacity than the stock size. Drops right in, no modifications necessary, and the battery terminals fit with no modifications too. Plus, a 60 month warranty at all Batteries Plus locations nationwide. You really can't go wrong.
knight rider - are you saying that you still top off your Northstar knock-off? I figured I didn't need to do that now that I stepped away from Odyssey. Maybe I should be looking at investing in a charger too. :-[
I'm going to check that out and see what to do. I do like that 60 month warranty and it has good CCA's. I just want to make sure it can stand up to running the fridge and winch and be able to bounce back. Maybe you and Knightrider can chime in a little about their performance over time and use.
Post by: knightrider on February 02, 2018, 06:29:48 PM
Post by: Celt on February 02, 2018, 08:01:25 PM
mine has been great so far, I left my fridge on fast freeze for about 18 hrs before the last trip so it made some 1 gallon ice cubes and still started the truck no problem the next day. I put it on charge overnight after that just to bring it back to 100% before leaving. I also used my winch to drag my truck over some rocks on a trip to coyote flats with Jeffbett and Steve with no issues.
It sounds like you and Joe really have some great things to say about those batteries. I've been doing some research for them but like to get opinions from guys I know. I appreciate all the feedback!
Post by: steve c on February 03, 2018, 12:12:36 AM
It sounds like you and Joe really have some great things to say about those batteries. I've been doing some research for them but like to get opinions from guys I know. I appreciate all the feedback!
When Jordan guinea pigs a product and actually talks about it positively, you know it's good.
Usually, he "recommends" something for me to buy, I use it, then he considers the results.
We have about a 90% success rate so far so I don't feel too bad.
Eric, did you ever end up with solar? I can't remember.
Post by: steve c on February 03, 2018, 12:19:42 AM
I also have some diehard battery charger thing that Jordan recommended me to get on the ebay.
The ONLY time I had a problem was when I left my fridge plugged in for 6 days while parked at the airport. It was early and I totally forgot to unplug it before i left. I had to have the airport parking lot dude give me a jump..
It was a group effort between my stupidity and the edgestar not shutting off at the right voltage. ($300 fridge vs $1,200 fridge BTW edgestar vs. arb)
I have had the battery for a while, maybe 18 months to two years and I've only ever topped it off after that airport incident.
Maybe it will die soon, I have no idea, but it's performing great for me so far.
Post by: Celt on February 03, 2018, 04:25:14 AM
Eric, did you ever end up with solar? I can't remember.
Yep, I run the solar panel if I'm going to be parked for more than a day. I just think that over the last few years of a lot of winching, refrigerator and heavy air compressor use beat the existing battery up. I'm still happy with Interstate but wanted to explore other options as it sounds like this may be one of the better ones. Thanks for the input!
Post by: RikRong on February 07, 2018, 08:15:00 AM
Post by: knightrider on February 07, 2018, 10:29:07 AM
You didn't happen to attach it to the battery first then the wall? I always plug it into the wall first, not sure if that matters with the Ctek.
Post by: RikRong on February 07, 2018, 10:55:32 AM
That's a bummer, you should get 2 lights when you plug it into the wall, the power led and one of the charge profile led next to the power led.I initially attached it to the battery first, old habit from the battery tender I use on the motorcycle. When this didn't work I went to the wall, then the battery. When this also didn't work, I just moved around to different wall outlets and the thing still wouldn't power on. Oh well, Amazon is good about returns and I already have another on the way.
You didn't happen to attach it to the battery first then the wall? I always plug it into the wall first, not sure if that matters with the Ctek.
Post by: RikRong on February 08, 2018, 05:48:16 PM
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Post by: Celt on February 08, 2018, 05:59:57 PM
Fun fact, the GFI circuit was tripped in the garage. I think I sent back a perfectly good charger. Lol That's what I get for not checking it in the house.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpc5_3B5xdk
:D :)
:D
Post by: knightrider on February 08, 2018, 08:11:49 PM
Post by: RikRong on February 08, 2018, 08:56:36 PM
dohI used many words far worse than that.
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Post by: RikRong on February 09, 2018, 08:42:26 AM
Post by: knightrider on February 09, 2018, 08:54:11 AM
Post by: RikRong on February 09, 2018, 10:45:20 AM
Yea it doesn't take long because the battery was probably around 80-90% and the ctek is a very efficient charger, it holds the amperage higher, for longer resulting in a faster charge than other chargers I tested. I still usually let it trickle charge overnight. resting voltage for 100% on the odyssey is 12.85vYep, I left it on overnight. I actually like this charger better than the Battery Tender I use for the motorcycle. I'll probably use the CTEK on the bike battery now. I'm also going to hook up the wife's car, as I put a different brand AGM in there a couple of months ago.