Best battery for a CRD?

commonrail · **Posted:** Mon Dec 09, 2013 5:18 pm

Beardo76 wrote:

My red top optima died today. The jeep would start with a jump, but with this latest round of cold weather it's really been struggling. I noted it was a 700 CCA battery.

Went to Sears and bought a DieHard Platinum 850 CCA. Normally it was $229, but this was on clearance for $159, and a gentleman handed me a coupon for %10 off while I was making the purchase. Pretty freaking awesome buy.

Anyway, night and day difference. Starting speed is way faster and more confident. Highly recommend the diehard platinum battery.

Beardo76
Thanks for the heads up, I called Sears this morning to see if they had one in stock. He said he had one left at the same price that you got :BANANA:

I told him to hold it for me and I'll be right over to pick it up.

weeks101 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:29 pm **Posts:** 747

There has been a cold snap in Minnesota the last couple weeks. Lows have been in the -10F to -20F degree range, with highs only reaching just above 0F degrees. At home, in my garage, with the block heater plugged in, the Jeep starts just fine. The problem is at the office, after sitting for 8+ hours in the parking lot, it has a very difficult time getting started.

Picked this beast up today. Had to modify the battery tray to get it to fit by removing the two plastic tabs (they easily snap off) facing the engine side. I actually was missing battery my tie-down so I am not sure if it would work with the considerably larger size of the 65. I do plan to rig up a custom tie-down to secure the battery.

DieHard Platinum P2 AGM (Group Size 65); 60 lbs. - 950 Cold Cranking Amps

Cost: MSRP: $229.99. I got it for $216.68 after 10% off promo, $5 off $50 coupon, including sales tax.

For comparison, the OE Optima Red Top (Size 34/78) is 39 lbs. - 800 Cold Cranking Amps.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:35 am

weeks101 wrote:

There has been a cold snap in Minnesota the last couple weeks. Lows have been in the -10F to -20F degree range, with highs only reaching just above 0F degrees. At home, in my garage, with the block heater plugged in, the Jeep starts just fine. The problem is at the office, after sitting for 8+ hours in the parking lot, it has a very difficult time getting started.

Picked this beast up today. Had to modify the battery tray to get it to fit by removing the two plastic tabs (they easily snap off) facing the engine side. I actually was missing battery my tie-down so I am not sure if it would work with the considerably larger size of the 65. I do plan to rig up a custom tie-down to secure the battery.

DieHard Platinum P2 AGM (Group Size 65); 60 lbs. - 950 Cold Cranking Amps

Cost: MSRP: $229.99. I got it for $216.68 after 10% off promo, $5 off $50 coupon, including sales tax.

For comparison, the OE Optima Red Top (Size 34/78) is 39 lbs. - 800 Cold Cranking Amps.

is that thing the same depth as the stock battery, just a bit wider?

I am thinking it is about time to do my battery. I believe it is still the factory Optima and it had a hard time starting yesterday. It had sat for 3-4 days and was ~28F.

weeks101 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:29 pm **Posts:** 747

mass-hole wrote:

is that thing the same depth as the stock battery, just a bit wider?

I am thinking it is about time to do my battery. I believe it is still the factory Optima and it had a hard time starting yesterday. It had sat for 3-4 days and was ~28F.

It's larger in every dimension:

DieHard Series 65:
Height: 7.4
Length: 11.8
Width: 7.2

Optima RedTop 34/78:
Height: 7.88 in
Length: 10.06 in
Width: 6.94 in

I had to modify the battery tray by removing these two tabs. I will later file down the edges so the battery sits flush with the tray/battery temp sensor.

Yesterday the Jeep sat for 8 hours in -4F temp. I had to cycle the glow plugs a couple times, but the battery showed no signs of weakness. It cranked hard the entire time, just as hard as it does in my warm garage each morning.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Dec 12, 2013 12:20 pm

Chuckle, we seem to go thru the great battery discussion on a fairly regular basis so just to get it out there the original red top was a Group 34R (+- terminals reversed) with a 700 CCA (SAE) rating, I just looked at my original 05 red top which I'm still using as a boat battery. Bottom line is any good (Sears, Interstate, Costco, Autozone, etc but not, apparently including the current red top due to poorer quality and a poor warranty) group 34 battery will work just fine so long as a) the +- wires will reach (e.g. reversed terminals are not necessary) and b) CCA is 700 or better (I prefer 800 but that's me). I also lean toward AGM (mat) batteries as opposed to the older "wet" cells.

Other than the above get whatever is in your price range but do keep an eye on warranty. I got the Sears P-1 because I could afford it and it has a great warranty. My son got an Interstate Megatron 85, IIRC, which costs less and has a very good warranty. Others have found deals at like Costco.

ColoradoCRD · **Joined:** Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:25 am **Posts:** 60

For a lot of bang for the buck, get the Wal Mart EverStart Maxx. The version I installed has a hefty 800 CCA. As I recall, the price is in the neighborhood of $80.

kjjet · **Posted:** Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:22 pm

There are good battery's and good correct battery's. The correct good battery is one with at least 800 COLD CRANKING AMPS. Diesels need lots of CCA!

Advance Auto parts Gold is what I have. No changing + & - correct fit!

Best battery for a CRD?

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