Super Start AGM or flooded

[Duffyjr]

My six year old AAP AGM in my 89 Sierra is starting to show it's age, I'm going to replace it before it really gets cold. Putting it on my Ctek is not making any difference, it's just not cranking like it was especially after it sites for a few days which is normal, I usually only drive it on the weekend unless there is snow/salt on the streets.

Looking at O'Reilly the AGM vs flooded is only $20 difference. Here are the specs, just need some opinions. I've also made up my mind I want to try an EP battery so no wally suggestions needed. The differences are highlighted.

 

[The Critic]

You can buy a flooded 34/78 from Costco or WM for a lot less than $179.

 

[FZ1]

The flooded cell has better specs, but the AGM is close and you got 6 years out of your prior AGM . For $20 more and no maintenance looks like advantage AGM. Be sure to get a fresh one.

 

[The Critic]

The flooded cell has better specs, but the AGM is close and you got 6 years out of your prior AGM . For $20 more and no maintenance looks like advantage AGM.

One is overpriced. The other is priced even higher, but offers minimal benefits for an application that does not require AGM.

 

[drtyler]

You can buy a flooded 34/78 from Costco or WM for a lot less than $179.

Are the Costco Interstate batteries any good? I have heard numerous complaints about them.

 

[FZ1]

One is overpriced. The other is priced even higher, but offers minimal benefits for an application that does not require AGM.

Down here in the sunny and garaged South, I run a Walmart Everstart Maxx in my Camry and a Group 31 Optima AGM in my Bass Boat. You gotta pay your money and take your choice.

 

[Dave9]

Getting only 6 years is not long enough to pay that much for AGM. WM Everstart Maxx $100 IF in stock.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStar...ttery-Group-Size-78N-12-Volt-800-CCA/16782712

However, considering it has those Lovely GM side terminals, I'd be taking the cables off and cleaning them first if you haven't recently. That alone can cause poor cranking.

 

[The Critic]

Are the Costco Interstate batteries any good? I have heard numerous complaints about them.

They usually make it past 3 years. Anything beyond that is iffy, IME. But for the value, they are hard to beat.

 

[Pelican]

I think that AGM are better especially for the average consumer, a no worries battery till it's dead!
Having said that I have a flooded battery that is 5yo as strong as ever and has NO CORROSION on the posts, never had any.
I do however use my CTEK to desulfate & charge it twice a year late fall and late spring.

 

[meadows]

Go to Sams

 

[Duffyjr]

Getting only 6 years is not long enough to pay that much for AGM. WM Everstart Maxx $100 IF in stock.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStar...ttery-Group-Size-78N-12-Volt-800-CCA/16782712

However, considering it has those Lovely GM side terminals, I'd be taking the cables off and cleaning them first if you haven't recently. That alone can cause poor cranking.

No Costco/Sams here, closest are 80 miles. Wally website says they have the 78N at my store but I'm showing $129.84. I'm headed there this weekend to get groceries so I'll see what they have and if it's an EP, usually their battery bin is pretty much empty. Ya, I'm not a big fan of the side posts but since I put some extenders on it for my Ctek quick connect they are easier to work with and keep clean.

Couple reasons for the current AGM is the discount I got way back then, $140 out the door. The other is the truck sits a lot and from what I've read the AGM's have a slower discharge when not used frequently. I wonder if a flooded battery would last 6 years with that treatment.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Dave9]

^ For infrequent use i'd hook up a trickle charger or if outdoors, a solar panel charger, but yes I'd expect the lower self discharge rate of an AGM to be beneficial in that situation, especially if only a $20-30 price difference.

 

[oilstudent24]

Sam’s sells the East Penn variety for flooded and probably AGM. The flooded are around $105 last time I checked.

 

[oilstudent24]

Oreillys, Duracell, and Napa used to be similar. Find your best deal.

 

[oilstudent24]

The last Oreillys Battery I bought had 1 yr longer warranty than the NAPA for basically the same battery.

 

[The_Jeff]

My flooded lead acid batteries make it through the off season (6-7 months) in my older carbureted junk. There are no electronics sapping juice so it's just like the terminal is removed.

89 Sierra will have a radio/ clock and PCM taking a little power.

I agree on the solar panel idea. You can get a 1.5 watt one for ~$15.

Also agree on checking WM for EP. You never know when distribution changes. I get their group 65s up here.

GM maintenance free charging profiles sometimes exceed 15 volts, check if you want that going into your AGMs.

 

[Duffyjr]

Was disappointed when I seen the batteries at my Wally started with JC yesterday.

The last Oreillys Battery I bought had 1 yr longer warranty than the NAPA for basically the same battery.

This is true, Napa's battery warranty is not good.

GM maintenance free charging profiles sometimes exceed 15 volts, check if you want that going into your AGMs.

I have one of them voltmeters that plug into the cig lighter and have never seen it over 14.4

Will a solar panel work thru glass, I park on the street facing east so I'd have to put in on the passenger window, this may be more of a hassle than it's worth.

 

[meep]

A solar panel will work thru glass but will lose maybe 20% since auto glass filters out some of the light it uses. There will be a little more loss if you have to compromise the angle it receives the light from as well.

i do have a panel on the camper shell of my truck, and I love it. Regardless of how long I used the the radio or drained the battery, it spins fast to start.

 

[wrcsixeight]

I have a 100.watt semi flexible panel.

Once upto temperature, I laid.it.on my windshield parked facing south at noon.
83 watts.

I moved panel inside, on dash, pressed to windshield.
Same angle.
No shadows from wipers or tint
42 watts.

More than 50% loss through my windshield.

 

[Duffyjr]

I have a 100.watt semi flexible panel.

Once upto temperature, I laid.it.on my windshield parked facing south at noon.
83 watts.

I moved panel inside, on dash, pressed to windshield.
Same angle.
No shadows from wipers or tint
42 watts.

More than 50% loss through my windshield.

If I'm losing 50% thru the glass how many watts do I need to keep the battery topped off.

Also if I go this route would an AGM still be worth the $20 extra?