Battery Question

Three choices I have some knowledge of, presuming you want an cranking-oriented AGM in the g34 size:

Another Optima 34M 38.4 lb, 800 CCA. I don't know if they've fully recovered from manufacturing problems that are said to have reduced their quality a few years ago. My older ones lasted very well - 7 years in the diesel boat, 10 years in the diesel truck.

A Deka Intimidator 9A34M 41.5 lb 775 CCA. These are the starters now in my boat and truck. They're available from industrial battery suppliers at a fairly reasonable price - I paid $153 a year ago. Deka's, made by East Penn Mfg, also appear under other labels - check the model number.

A Sears Platinum PM-2 AGM 53 lb 880 CCA. Seems the same as Odyssey. Pretty spendy unless you catch a sale - regular price $218.

If you want a 34-size AGM with some additional deep-cycle ability, the Sears PM-2 may be worth the extra bucks and weight. Its specs say 68AH vs the Deka's 55AH and Optima's 50AH. The D34M dual-purpose Optima was supposed to have 55AH, IIRC.

Remember not to use or charge the old one and new one on the same circuit at the same time - the old one will drag down and prematurely damage the new one.
 
Yeah, I've done a bit of internet research since I posted that, and the Diehard Platinum seems like a really competitive choice, all told. Automotive model appears to be exactly the same (minus threaded posts), is $30 cheaper, and has 4 year warranty instead of 3.
 
If you have a Sams Club, compare the Die Hard Platinum with the Sam's Club AGM. Sam's Club is cheaper, and made by East Penn, which makes many of the more expensive AGM batteries, including some of the Sears Platinum series. (Some where I read that Sears used a number of different manufactures for their various batteries.
 
Timflam - I'm not sure exactly what the design criteria is for a battery to be classed as "marine" but they are supposed to be built to withstand more vibration than its automotive counterpart. Personally I find the threaded posts better on a boat as well. I would say they are worth the cost.

Richard - quote"10 years in a diesel truck" - that's impressive. When I had my Chev 6.5 - I had to replace the batteries every 2 years. I used A/C Delco - group 31(I think). Not AGM or group 34 like yours,,,,,but still :cry

Regards, Rob
 
Let me correct/clarify this.
timflan":23383b56 said:
Diehard Platinum [...] Automotive model appears to be exactly the same (minus threaded posts), is $30 cheaper, and has 4 year warranty instead of 3.
Click to expand...
SAME price, not cheaper, but extra year of warranty coverage. That's worth spending $5 on a pair of zinc post adapters.
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I have used both the post adaptor and screw terminals. I perfer the screw terminals, with solid SS nuts and lock washers. Do not use wing nuts! The nylon nuts can also fail if the temperature gets too high.
 
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