Battery suggestion for 2020?
 

Is Optima Yellowtop still the battery to go for, for loaded Zs (dashcams, radars, leds, sound system, etc)?

I found a lot of threads for batteries and most recommend the Optima's, but they are very old threads. Everywhere else on the internet people are saying those are not worth the price.

What are your thoughts?

If you have a garage, a battery tender gives by far the best bang for buck. Although some are better than others, no battery is immune to temperature change, heavy draw, insufficient/short duration charge. Best thing is to keep it fully charged when parked at home.

Seen normal lead acid ones extend well beyond 5 yrs. Seen AGM fail in 3. How you use and take care of the battery is the most important.

Optima quality has gone downhill. That's why all the positive threads you see on them are old.

I have one, but my current battery just died anyway.

So what are you guys buying nowadays?

An Odyssey, or a battery made by them. On the Power Wagon forum. That's the go to battery. We really abuse the electrical system on the trucks by using the winches. I have Sears Diehard Platinum battery made by Odyssey with a DC 270 amp alternator and 00 welding cables for power and ground cables.

Go with LifePO4 like I did. Battery should outlast the car.

See. http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...e-voltage.html

You should be OK with 20ah lifePO4 which is around a 1/3 the weight of original.
20ah lithium at 600cca using new A123 system cells seems your best option.
There's a few companies on Aliexpress that can make them for you.

I brought this battery for $450 AUD delivered and the Ah rating of 60 is a lie, its 42Ah.
When buying from china confirm part numbers of cells used to work out capacity.
Their numbers are just made up. And you can set the price based on batteries you can buy locally.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3300...6f4363c0NZkn2a

I've had this battery for a year now and all it OK. But you do need to set PWM module to float at 13.8v. And note the operating temperatures these work at. May not be ideal for climate you live in.

Won't buy anything from China if I can help it. Plus that battery is $668.00 USD. I can get 2 batteries for that price. Also, if the battery has to be imported. You're not getting it anytime soon. Nothing from China is being shipped to the US.

If you are after weight reduction then all you need is the 28Ah at 600cca which is also a bit smaller than the listed one.

And the price is not 668 USD, its half that including shipping for the 42/60 Ah.

28Ah should be 25% cheaper as config is 4S2P instead of 4S3P.

You should be paying around $350 USD delivered(includes mains charger). And these LifePO4 cells last twice as long as lead acid.

But they do have issues such as temp range and needing special charger if completely discharged. You can't just jump start car if battery flat.

And do remember 20Ah LifePO4 battery is like 40Ah lead acid capacity wise.
Lead acid are a thing of the past.

Maybe you can source similar battery locally. But make sure quality cells are being used. And they can supply enough CCAs

Don't waste your money on these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKo5iJ2rH7o

A Scotty video. Seriously?

OP, stick with the battery tender advice.

Optima batteries are junk. The Power Wagon forum guys won't even think about using them. Winches will kill them in short order.

Whats a battery tender for?

And yer, "rev up your engines"

Also seen some batteries only 4kg or so but not sure on capacity.
Lithiumax are an option. 370z front heavy so this upgrade will help.

It is sad that the Optima batteries quality control has went down the toilet. Mounting your battery in the rear will help weight transfer in the Z.

Not sure if you can buy this one in the states but only 3.5kg
Why even bother moving battery to the rear. Not it uses 20aH cells.
I paid $400 AUD and got 40ah cells but twice as heavy 7kg.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lithiuma...EAAOSw4cFeMTb2

I've heard good things about Deka batteries (Made in USA). They are also rebranded for NAPA batteries. The NAPA label shows made by Deka in USA. (last I researched)

Any users?

I have them in my motorhome. That's 6 batteries. Had to replace 2 of them about a month ago because the casing cracked and leaked acid on my concrete pad. They was only 18 months old. :mad:

Thanks for the heads up! They also make an AGM but of course price starts going up.

So what is a good recommended, DIRECT replacement AGM ?

zz

I replaced my battery not too long ago. I was debating between Nissan OEM and Autozone Duralast. I went with the latter because it offered more CA and CCA than the OEM (this was based on the same group size type battery).

This is the one i would get.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...000%7CL3*15597

It's probably biased, but the guy at Advance Auto Parts recommended exactly that one over the Optima Yellowtop

It's an Odyssey battery.

Depending on whether you're in a cold climate (and therefore need CCA), or a fair-weather driver, may impact your choice. I'd recommend checking out Project Farm's review of popular batteries on YouTube. The title is, "Which car battery is best? Let's find out!" He is completely independent, and the scientific method he applies, in addition to his thoroughness, to whatever he tests is beyond compare.

Thanks rusty.:tup:

Just remember if you use a smaller battery you need to keep fluids topped up as 370z charging circuit may over charge which dries out the cells.

Interesting. I just watched it.

Do NOT buy these. My batteries died in my truck when it was at the body shop. They did not call me for help. I wish they would have. They put in one Napa battery, My truck takes two. Big mistake, it blew the passenger side battery up. So they put in an Interstate battery on that side. The Napa battery was puking acid out it like crazy. I had to replace both batteries and I used my normal batteries. The Gold batteries at Advanced Auto parts. No more problems. I did see the AGM batteries. I passed.

I had to replace the 4 house batteries on the motorhome because they froze and cracked the cases a couple of years ago. I don't know how old they were. Replaced all 4, 2 years ago or so. Had to replace 2 of them a couple months ago for cracked cases. I replaced the 2 engine batteries last summer. So I'm waiting on them to do something.

I just watched that video. It misses some very valid points.

1.) How long will the battery last. Warranty, who cares.
2.) Does the battery vent Acid or leak causing corrosion issues?

I won't use junk. New battery testing doesn't mean jack to me.

Yeah, I am missing my battery blankets now since the body shop replaced my batteries. Ugg, why can't folks just call and ask for help.

I Was Planning On One Of These - Made By Deka - :driving:

Was under impression that battery upgrade was to reduce weight?

Usually by half. Otherwise whats the point, just by same Panasonic one once it fails.

The point is buying a battery that lasts. I don't like changing my battery every 2 years.

A Panasonic lead acid should last at least 5 years. Not sure if they still make car batteries. Just make sure you don't see the voltage on the dash sit at 15v for long periods of time.

I'm sure you can still find batteries made in the U.S that give you a 3 year warranty.

Would you say these are same batteries:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...000%7CL3*15597

https://www.costco.ca/energizer-35-a...100408225.html

They look the same. I ended up putting an Odyssey in mine.

The standard group 35 or a powersport smaller unit?

I believe the standard size is 50 lbs in the Odyssey.

Was there a thread on the compatibilty of AGM and our charging system?

From what I have read and researched, there is no way to get 14.4-14.8vdc required to keep an AGM charged.

Our IPDM and charging system does the typical 13.8-14.2 for standard Lead acid battery. Not to mention it cycles the charge to save fuel. (SMH)

I have been on a Lithium battery since 2019. It weights 8lbs. Get ahold of Phunk at CJ Motorsports if you are interested.