Sealed (aka "gel cell" or AGM) battery preference?

[440Magnum]

Pretty much what the subject says- what do you guys think is the best AGM type starting or starting/deep cycle combo battery (not necessarily deep-cycle, not necessarily spiral cell) on the market today?

I've used Optima for years, but since they got bought by Johnson Controls they don't seem to last quite as long and the price has gotten stupid-expensive. Looking for alternatives.

Why do I want an AGM battery anyway? 1) no vapors released means no corrosion of the posts, terminals, and nearby parts 2) no loss of electrolyte due to evaporation, which is a real problem in my hot climate. I'm willing to pay "a bit more" for those features, but I'd rather not pay "Optima-more" if there's a good alternative.

Thanks,

 

[Chris142]

Lots of negative posts about Optima batteries on the Jeep forums. They seem to be happy with the Diehard. I think it's called Diehard Platinum?

I'm currantly running an Optima w/o any issues. Bought in 09. It replaced an Exide Orbital which outlasted it's 84 month pro rated warranty.

But that orbital gave no warning when it died. It started that morning fine and not even a click at lunchtime.

 

[dparm]

Diehard Platinum or Deka 9AGM (which is probably rebranded for a lot of places).

AGM is good for severe use or strange mounting (on its side or whatever). A DD might see slightly more CCA or higher capacity, but it's pretty slim.

 

[shooter250]

I bought a new optima for my truck last year. No problems so far. I bought from advance auto parts online and used coupon code, so I didn't pay full price.

 

[dailydriver]

I've had NO problems with my 2 y.o. Red Top so far (bought at Costco for $100.00).
My last one (I know, I know, NOT a Johnson Controls product) lasted for 8+ years, and might have gone longer (it was NOT dead when I exchanged it for the new one), but I did not want to risk a frigid winter with it, especially when it was fully discharged, and then recharged a couple of times in it's life.

I like Optimas because they are the best blend of; CCA power, light weight (as compared to ALL conventionals, and some other AGMs/Spiral Cells, i.e.; Diehard Platinum), and price (as compared to the 'boutique' lightweight racing batteries most of which still cannot match the CCA power of the Red Top for the same or less weight, i.e.; Odyssey, Braille, and the new, $1000.00+, Lithium Ion bank breakers).

Isn't the much beloved Diehard Platinum made by Johnson Controls as well??

 

[JHZR2]

You can still get corrosion on VRLA (AGM) batteries. Yes, recombination is better, and supposedly so is life, but in certain applications this isnt necessarily absolutely the case.

And they can be more sensitive to certain things.

They should have lower self discharge, but after going too low for a while they will be permanently damaged like any others.

Ive been running Deka VRLA in a few applications and have been happy. I'd run them again.

 

[OceanDoctor]

just picked up an Odyssey battery the other day- costly, but an EXCELLENT piece. Comes with a 5yr exchange warranty, the company will replace it if you just bring it in dead, because they apparently can't test the electrolytes so they just replace it.

 

[440Magnum]

Thanks for the replies, I'll check out the Deka and Diehard.

For the record, I haven't had problems with Optimas failing before warranty- I've never had one that didn't EXCEED warranty. But the recent ones don't beat it by much... the first Optima red top I bought in the 90s (for just under $100 and they're now listing over $200!) lasted nearly 10 years. The price increase doesn't really seem justified either. They used to be maybe 30% more than a standard battery, now they're more than 100% more.

Low self-discharge is one of the things I like, especially for the vintage cars that may sit for extended times.

Also I know they do sometimes produce corrosion, but its VERY much less than liquid-electrolyte batteries. The >10 year old battery cables on my '69 look brand new, whereas the ones on my 01 Jeep are about rotted off and will have to be replaced.

Thanks again!

 

[MrHorspwer]

I've owner three Optima batteries and haven't had a single issue with any of them. Two of them were in vehicles that have since been sold. I know one is in Florida right now, still going strong.

My current Optima is a Johnson Controls unit. Almost two years in and no issues. We'll see.

I find that most discussion forum opinion on boutique or expensive items is often second hand and furthered by people who are really just trying to reassure themselves that whatever they bought for less money is just as good or better.

They are spendy though. The 34R red top I bought for $94 in 2004 is $161 now. Yowza!

 

[JHZR2]

yeah, ridiculous...

Id probably buy them for some of my applications, but even if my use causes a traditional battery to fail a bit more, the far lower price justifies it...

 

[SteveSRT8]

We gave optimas a chance and they failed miserably. Around here we need reliability, and we didn't get it. Add in the ridiculous prices and it's easy to try another brand.

I buy them by warranty now. The longest without pro-rata is the one I want. I think that was an AAP battery last time at 3 full years replacement.

 

[Boss302fan]

Originally Posted By: OceanDoctor
just picked up an Odyssey battery the other day- costly, but an EXCELLENT piece. Comes with a 5yr exchange warranty, the company will replace it if you just bring it in dead, because they apparently can't test the electrolytes so they just replace it.


My son is a VP at Batteries Plus corp and he has told me that Odyssey's are the BEST batteries available...

 

[440Magnum]

You know, subconsciously I must have noticed the 2001 Jeep cranking a little slower or something and it caused me to start this thread... this morning it was dead. Not that I mind... just an excuse to burn a lot of premium and a little bit of rubber driving one of the big-blocks to work.

Looks like I'll be buying a little sooner than expected. Either that or there's a "start a thread, get the problem" curse on BITOG...

So far in my poking around I'm leaning to the Diehard Platinum. The Odyssey looks great, but its as or more stupid-expensive than an Optima. Sheesh. Some sources actually say that Diehard Platinum is made by Enersys, who also makes the Odyssey so I guess Sears gets a nice bulk discount (hopefully its not a lower-spec version built for Sears...)

Bad news on the Deka 9AGM- dekacatalog.com has a note by it saying "to be discontinued when stock is depleted."