Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
Is the stock battery a flooded or AGM battery?
03 Honda CR-V EX battery
- Thread starter Carlostrece
- Start date
The OEM battery would be a flooded lead acid battery...the very undersized Group 51R version. Many online threads on upgrading to a much larger, more powerful, and cheaper common Group 24F battery. I have personally done the conversion on two CR-Vs and our Element.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
Great video! Great ideas there. However, in this case I needed to order a battery today for installation tomorrow. So no time to find/buy parts for an upgrade. It's great to know about for the future. Thanks!
My 2.4L Accord is on 51R, no issues. Daughters CRV was on 51R for a long time, no issues (except self induced leaving lights on). Hers is now 24F as I had to time to plan for upgrade. I would have had no issue staying on 51R but bigger is always better right 
.
More important is understanding usage conditions, short/long trips, Honda's variable output alternators. My short tripped Pilot and the CRV get an overnight charge with my CTEK smart charger 1-2 times per year. My Accord that gets 25 minute trips each way, one always at night with lights on for full voltage charging maybe saw a charger 2 times in a couple years. That was because I was bored, it was sitting there, why not.
Millions of 51R equipped Honda's starting no issues in very cold temperatures. The 24F's, 35's and others need replacement every 3-ish years also. Just is what it is. Maintain the rest of car, make the start easier, helps all.
.More important is understanding usage conditions, short/long trips, Honda's variable output alternators. My short tripped Pilot and the CRV get an overnight charge with my CTEK smart charger 1-2 times per year. My Accord that gets 25 minute trips each way, one always at night with lights on for full voltage charging maybe saw a charger 2 times in a couple years. That was because I was bored, it was sitting there, why not.
Millions of 51R equipped Honda's starting no issues in very cold temperatures. The 24F's, 35's and others need replacement every 3-ish years also. Just is what it is. Maintain the rest of car, make the start easier, helps all.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
I just ordered a Honda Odessey battery tray as recommended in the video posted by @Nukeman7 in post # 2. That video doesn't mention needing to also buy an Odessey battery cover, but several guys at CRV forum mentioned buying an Odessey battery cover as part of their upgrade. They did not explain why they bought a battery-cover nor its part #. I asked, but got no answers from CRV forum.
Why are people using 24F battery size for the upgrade? Couldn't they use a group 34? It seems to me that G34 would fit better due to not being as tall. What am I missing? Is it a battery posts polarity issue?
Now trying to decide between battery sizes 24F and 34. Or would it need to be 34R? Advice welcome.
Why are people using 24F battery size for the upgrade? Couldn't they use a group 34? It seems to me that G34 would fit better due to not being as tall. What am I missing? Is it a battery posts polarity issue?
Now trying to decide between battery sizes 24F and 34. Or would it need to be 34R? Advice welcome.
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I'm pretty sure that the Group 34 battery terminal positions are reversed from those on the 51R and 24F batteries. However, the Group 35 battery should be identical in dimensions to the 34, but with the terminals in the proper position for the CR-V.
Here's my learning curve on upgrading batteries on CR-Vs and Elements. I initially installed a Group 35 in my son's 2003 CR-V when the 51R died. Five years later when the 35 died, I realized that a 24F would also fit the cavity (albeit tighter) and changed it to a 24F. My preference for the 24F over the 35 is based on the following rationale: (1) 24F is commonly available anywhere that sells batteries and in multiple grades (e.g., EverStart Value, EverStart Plus, Everstart MAXX, EverStart Platinum AGM), (2) the physically larger case of the 24F has two benefits: wider spacing of the plates to resist shorting from lead corrosion deposits and/or additional amperage due to fitment of more lead plates.
You don't need the insulator cover jacket in the PNW. It has minimal value in protecting the battery even in extreme climates like Arizona.
Also, IME, you don't need to buy a new top cross-member for the battery hold down. I just flatten the small depressed tab shown in the photo below that would otherwise press on the top of the 24F case.
FYI, I believe group 35 is the battery that they use in Canada. Not sure if you need a new tray for that but when I look up batteries for my wife's CRV, I get 51r and 35 showing up.
I thought about swapping her to a 35 if need be, but I'm hoping that by charging her battery periodically it will last until I replace the car. This is the third battery and all 3 are/were Hondas. Both that died didn't give any warning. They worked one minute and the next time, dead. No sluggish starts, etc...
I am curious to know why all the 51r AGMs have lower CCAs than the equivalent flooded.
I thought about swapping her to a 35 if need be, but I'm hoping that by charging her battery periodically it will last until I replace the car. This is the third battery and all 3 are/were Hondas. Both that died didn't give any warning. They worked one minute and the next time, dead. No sluggish starts, etc...
I am curious to know why all the 51r AGMs have lower CCAs than the equivalent flooded.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
Speaking of being cheaper... Let's compare prices in my home town.
Comparing Oreilly housebrand Superstart batteries and one Honda brand battery in sizes 51R & 24F...
With 24F you get more CCA for less $. See * & ** below.
Oreilly 51R flooded battery 435 CCA for $120. Very weak sauce
Oreilly 51R flooded battery 450 CCA for $180. Weak sauce
Oreilly 51R flooded battery 500 CCA for $215. Aceptable/strong
Genuine Honda 51R flooded battery 500 CCA for $162. Acceptable/strong and good price.
** Oreilly 24F flooded battery 550 CCA for $99. Strong upgrade and excellent price! Wow!
** Walmart 24F flooded battery 585 CCA for $79. Very strong upgrade and excellent price. Wow!
* Oreilly 24F flooded battery 585 CCA for $120. Very strong upgrade and excellent price. Wow!
* Walmart 24F flooded battery 600 CCA for $110. Very strong upgrade and excellent price. Wow!
* Walmart 24F flooded battery 725 CCA for $140. Extremely strong upgrade and reasonable price.
Oreilly 24F flooded battery 750 CCA for $210. Extremely strong upgrade and reasonable price.
Same idea with AGM batteries. You get more performance for lower cost with 24F.
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If you are not averse to visiting WalMart, their $79 EverStart Value battery cannot be beat...especially if they are sourced from East Penn as on the East Coast. This is the only 24F I purchase and typically get 4 to 5 years out of them. While they are conservatively advertised as only 585 CCA, they routinely test 700 CCA when new.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
That is helpful and timely because I'm currently 24F battery shopping.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
@Nukeman7 I thought Walmart was going to stop selling batteries. Was that just an untrue rumor? Based on your post, it sounds like Wally is still selling batteries.
I'm in Southwest Washington (West Coast). I have no idea if the 24F the local Wally sells is made by East Penn. I guess it is whatever it is and I'd buy it at that price regardless of who made it.
BTW - The Oreilly housebrand Superstart batteries are made by East Penn. I think the Walmart battery you recommended is the same battery (both made by East Penn) as one of the Oreilly batteries I like, but $40 cheaper at Walmart than Oreilly.
i.e. - This upgrade just keeps getting more and more worthwhile considering it will save a lot of money and increase performance!
I'm in Southwest Washington (West Coast). I have no idea if the 24F the local Wally sells is made by East Penn. I guess it is whatever it is and I'd buy it at that price regardless of who made it.
BTW - The Oreilly housebrand Superstart batteries are made by East Penn. I think the Walmart battery you recommended is the same battery (both made by East Penn) as one of the Oreilly batteries I like, but $40 cheaper at Walmart than Oreilly.
i.e. - This upgrade just keeps getting more and more worthwhile considering it will save a lot of money and increase performance!
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
She parks outdoors. No where to plug in.
My neighbor bought an EverStart Value 24F battery from WalMart on Wednesday (1-14-2026).
If you look at an EverStart battery at WalMart, you will see a barcode label on the top panel. Printed on the barcode label will be a serial number. If it starts with the letters "EP", it is made by East Penn, if it starts with "JC", it is a Clarios (formerly Johnson Controls) battery. See my Post #5 in this BITOG thread for more details on EverStart batteries.
The O'Reilly SuperStarts, the Duracells at Sam's Club, and many NAPA batteries are manufactured by East Penn/DEKA. All East Penn flooded lead acid batteries are maintenance free with a smooth flush top panel while Clarios batteries have removable rectangular fill caps that have their proprietary "clipped corner" design.
Upgrading from a Group 51R to a 24F (or 35) battery is a win-win situation. That K24 engine will crank like never before!
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2026
If terminal position is the issue with a Group 34, there is always the Group 34R with reversed terminal positions.
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2026
Walmart batteries sold on the West Coast are supplied by Clarios. Most of the flooded batteries come from Korea. The AGMs can be from any number of factories around the world and changes with each delivery. Mexico, Korea, Germany, China and India. I have had excellent service from the German and Korean sourced ones.
East Penn can be found at Batteries Plus stores. Also Sams Club under the Duracell brand name.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
Years ago... In a Jeep Cherokee and Buick Park Ave I had excellent results using G34 flooded batteries from Interstate Battery. Were Interstate Batteries made by Johnson Controls years ago?
Who makes Interstate Batteries in 2025/6?
I'm currently having excellent results using Oreilly Superstart (East Penn) G34 in my Buick.
So IME in the past I had good results from Johnson and East Penn flooded batteries, but it sounds like you guys are saying that East Penn currently makes the better flooded battery?
Also, Walmart Everstart flooded batteries sold in Walmarts in Western USA... Are they East Penn or Clarios/Johnson?
Who makes Interstate Batteries in 2025/6?
I'm currently having excellent results using Oreilly Superstart (East Penn) G34 in my Buick.
So IME in the past I had good results from Johnson and East Penn flooded batteries, but it sounds like you guys are saying that East Penn currently makes the better flooded battery?
Also, Walmart Everstart flooded batteries sold in Walmarts in Western USA... Are they East Penn or Clarios/Johnson?
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