BATTERY RECOMENDATION

shadow63 · **Joined:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:04 am **Posts:** 208

I live in nj and this winter kicked my battery, which was a walmart one. Which one would you recommend

Hexus · **Posted:** Sat Mar 01, 2014 11:11 pm

Sears P1

Really any AGM battery with 800+ CCA.

Batteries & Bulbs has a Type 34 AGM for $269. G-34X2

Interstate MT7

Sears also has a Die Hard Gold AGM Type 34 for about $169, that's one of the cheapeast I've seen with a good warranty.

Don't cheap out, these things don't like cheap batteries.

thermorex · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 1:30 am

If you don't mind replacing the battery every 3 years, get an red top optima, but plan on replacing it after 3 years, mine dropped to 12 volts and some change overnight after almost 3 years, so it is unlikely it will last more. Reason for getting optima is the P20 coupon for 20% off from advance auto. Sears P1 is said to last way more than optima.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:47 am

Costco has a 795cca for about $75. Been running it for 3 years without any issues.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 8:21 am

The OEM Optima red top is/was a Group 34R (reversed +- terminals) with 700CCA. I checked mine which I'm still using as a marine starting battery. Any Group 34 (+- terminals not reversed but you might need to check cable length for fit) battery with 700CCA + (up around 800CCA is ideal) will do fine although AGM is considered more durable than traditional lead/acid. I'm running the P-1 while my son is running an Interstate near equivalent.

FYI some folks have had "issues" with battery vendors who look in their "book" and refuse to install a battery because the book says Mopar OEM only. Haven't seen actual cases of this recently but...

flman · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:14 am

thermorex wrote:

If you don't mind replacing the battery every 3 years, get an red top optima, but plan on replacing it after 3 years, mine dropped to 12 volts and some change overnight after almost 3 years, so it is unlikely it will last more. Reason for getting optima is the P20 coupon for 20% off from advance auto. Sears P1 is said to last way more than optima.

I am going to have a hard time explaining to my 2 Jeeps that one battery lasted 4 years, and the other 5 both were red top otima's, and both got the same for replacement.

So How do I break this to the Jeeps that it was really three years? :roll:

94.5K 10-8-11 New Battery

42K 12-2-10 new battery

1stepp · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 11:12 am

I have a 2006 limited with 114K miles. I bought it in 2011 as the third owner. The battery is still a red top with an OEM label. I'm sure hoping it's not original. Below freezing it struggles a little but still starts.

thermorex · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 11:24 am

flman wrote:

thermorex wrote:

If you don't mind replacing the battery every 3 years, get an red top optima, but plan on replacing it after 3 years, mine dropped to 12 volts and some change overnight after almost 3 years, so it is unlikely it will last more. Reason for getting optima is the P20 coupon for 20% off from advance auto. Sears P1 is said to last way more than optima.

I am going to have a hard time explaining to my 2 Jeeps that one battery lasted 4 years, and the other 5 both were red top otima's, and both got the same for replacement.

So How do I break this to the Jeeps that it was really three years? :roll:

94.5K 10-8-11 New Battery

42K 12-2-10 new battery

Luck? Don't know

... I personally like optima, I got another one on my jeep and have 2 on the Cherokee. The one I replaced still starts a mazda my friend has. But it started to get weaker. I'll probably continue getting optima from now on too, I just have the mindset I need to replace it every 3 years, even if will last more.

flman · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 1:33 pm

thermorex wrote:

Luck? Don't know

... I personally like optima, I got another one on my jeep and have 2 on the Cherokee. The one I replaced still starts a mazda my friend has. But it started to get weaker. I'll probably continue getting optima from now on too, I just have the mindset I need to replace it every 3 years, even if will last more.

Actually the 2007 and up Sprinters only get about 3 years out of a lead acid battery, my older sprinter I am getting 5+ out of lead acid batteries. The Optima gets a bad rap in this forum, I wonder how the lead acid batteries in CRDs are holding up in comparison?

jthomas999 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:51 pm **Posts:** 98

I replaced mine with a Optima Yellowtop. I've been happy with it for the last 3 years.

John

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 11:04 pm

The Optima issue has been explained in other threads

Optima was manufactured in Colorado - made great batteries - some of them have lasted over 10 years
in 2000 - Johnson Controls bought Optima - and immediately built a factory in Mexico
from 2000-2010 1/2 the Optima's were made in Colorado, 1/2 in Mexico
Colorado version worked great - Mexico's seem to last to the end of warranty (~3 years) and then die
2010 - they closed the Colorado plant, now they're all made in Mexico.

I replaced my original Red top with a Yellow top - lasted 3 years 6 months.

the Sears P1 was a rebadged Odyssey but about $100 cheaper -which works great
although there were some changes on the Web site recently and there's some concern a newer one will be from a different manufacturer - although I think they changed the title at the same time not so sure about that.

flman · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:29 am

ATXKJ wrote:

The Optima issue has been explained in other threads

Optima was manufactured in Colorado - made great batteries - some of them have lasted over 10 years
in 2000 - Johnson Controls bought Optima - and immediately built a factory in Mexico
from 2000-2010 1/2 the Optima's were made in Colorado, 1/2 in Mexico
Colorado version worked great - Mexico's seem to last to the end of warranty (~3 years) and then die
2010 - they closed the Colorado plant, now they're all made in Mexico.

I replaced my original Red top with a Yellow top - lasted 3 years 6 months.

the Sears P1 was a rebadged Odyssey but about $100 cheaper -which works great
although there were some changes on the Web site recently and there's some concern a newer one will be from a different manufacturer - although I think they changed the title at the same time not so sure about that.

Come to think of it, my 2010 Sprinter battery was badged Mercedes Benz/Johnson Controls, made in Mexico, I replaced it with an Exide made in USA battery, I will see if it lasts longer this time around?

dirtmover · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2014 10:02 am

Just over a year ago I replaced my 6.5 yo Red Top with a Kirkland 795 CCA because I felt it was getting a bit challenged. The Red Top was put back into service in a Grand Caravan last fall and has got it through the winter without issues. Maybe I was just lucky but not bad going for a crap battery.

Hexus · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2014 10:11 am

I've had mine since it hit the lot in early 2006. The Optima gave up the ghost about 4.5 years in, it was a good battery while it lasted. The China-Zone 775CCA Lead Acid I replaced it with lasted bout 3 years then just crapped out one cold day. I have since replaced it with a Sears Platinum P1, so far, so good but not really long enough to tell.

I definitely like the AGM batteries better for several reasons, not the least of which is that I'm probably moving back north and I know their cold weather performance is the same as their warm weather performance.

In the end, buy whatever you feel financially comfortable with, that starts your jeep. My opinion (it's a forum, you're going to get those, lol) is that the AGM is going to be the better buy for performance AND longevity, but I can't honestly say I've experienced any longevity yet, I've only had mine about a year.

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

The more CCA the better!

I run a 950 CCA 65 series battery, which requires some simple modifications to the battery tray since it's bigger than the factory 34/78 series. Specifically, it's the Die Hard Platinum P2 AGM, Size 65, 60 lbs., 950 CCA.

pwrwagn · **Joined:** Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:40 am **Posts:** 192

I got an AGM battery from Oreilly Auto Parts. It's been perfectly able to strongly crank the motor at well below zero. It's not rated at quite 800 CCA, but it whips the motor around nicely even at 10 below zero.

And it stays perfectly clean and corrosion free.

Hachuky · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2014 12:56 pm

Mopar battery. Offer expires 3/31/14 74.95$ 60 series. 84.95. 72 series. 89.95. 84 series. Mopar.com/coupons/

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Hachuky · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2014 12:58 pm

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shadow63 · **Joined:** Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:04 am **Posts:** 208

Will any of those mopar batteries fit in the liberty crd. We have a group 34

Hexus · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2014 1:32 pm

shadow63 wrote:

Will any of those mopar batteries fit in the liberty crd. We have a group 34

I believe you have answered your own question sir.

BATTERY RECOMENDATION

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