In the market for a new battery

Ricgowan

Ricgowan

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2020
Messages
106
Location
Brighton MI
Starting to get the dreaded slow crank, and the date sticker on top of the Walmart battery is 3/18, so I'm in the market. As per usual, I have now read 3,248 posts on TJ batteries here, including the various recs for AGM vs old-style, Oydessy or Northstar vs everyone else, and Group 34 vs Group 24.

Right now, since I'm a Costco member, I'm 95% ready to pull the trigger on an Interstate AGM in Group 24 size. Unless someone wants to post how their TJ burst into flames or suddenly began experiencing death wobble after installing one!
 
Does your TJ have the wedge style or clamp style hood down bracket? A group 24 fits with no modifications with the wedge style, but you’ll need to extend the clamp a bit if you have that style.

I went with a NSB-AGM24M because I’ve had good experiences with the Northstar. In addition, the combination of automotive and marine terminals makes adding new lines very easy.
 
I'd try and find a northstar 34/78. It has the front side connections that are capable of handling winch power (if you use one), plenty of CCAs and its an AGM battery that can handle the vibes a TJ dishes out. I installed an Everstart AGM (rebranded dekka) 5 years ago and dont have any complaints, it was a bit pricy at $200 but worth it.
 
Steel City 06 said:
Does your TJ have the wedge style or clamp style hood down bracket? A group 24 fits with no modifications with the wedge style, but you’ll need to extend the clamp a bit if you have that style.

I went with a NSB-AGM24M because I’ve had good experiences with the Northstar. In addition, the combination of automotive and marine terminals makes adding new lines very easy.
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I have the clamp-down style, so I'll have to figure out how to secure the new battery. I wonder if I can switch it to the wedge-style by adding a wedge? If there's a threaded hole there, I should be set.
 
tworley said:
I'd try and find a northstar 34/78. It has the front side connections that are capable of handling winch power (if you use one), plenty of CCAs and its an AGM battery that can handle the vibes a TJ dishes out. I installed an Everstart AGM (rebranded dekka) 5 years ago and dont have any complaints, it was a bit pricy at $200 but worth it.
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Cost is kind of an issue, since She Who Must Be Obeyed has no love for The Hulk (my monster of a 2001 Sahara in Forest Green Pearl). Otherwise, I'd be all over the Northstar, especially for those extra lugs on the 34/78 series.
 
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I should add that I'm close enough to Ontario that I am not ruling out Canadian Tire's AGM offering, especially with the exchange rate. Just got to get over the border, which is much tougher due to Covid.
 
Ricgowan said:
I should add that I'm close enough to Ontario that I am not ruling out Canadian Tire's AGM offering, especially with the exchange rate. Just got to get over the border, which is much tougher due to Covid.
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The Canadian Tire Ultra XD series (it might only be the XD series) is a Northstar battery with a different sticker if I recall correctly.
Note they look exactly the same and have the exact same amperage ratings:
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...formance-agm-deep-cycle-battery-0102496p.htmlhttps://www.northstarbattery.com/product/nsb-agm24m
 
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I need a battery also to replace my 10-year Die Hard Platinum AGM. I don't have a recommendation, but a couple of tips on your search:

1. COSTCO: I have a few interstate batteries from Costco in other vehicles. The last one I took back for warranty replacement they did test the battery and I had to argue with them a bit about replacement. Battery is rated at 850 CCA and it measured 650. They didn't want to replace it at first, but the battery was only 3 months old. So, Interstate does not seem to be the quality they once were, and Costco is not as easy warranty as they once were.

2. Batteries Plus: The X2 (Northstar) varies in price by over $200 from store to store. Change the pickup location on their website and you may find one affordable.
 
I bought a Duracell from Sams. It starts just fine. I’m radio delete crew so all I need it to do is start the car and the headlights
 
If I were close enough to cross to Canada, I'd buy the AGM from Canadian Tire. And some Scepter 20l MFC's while I was at it.

That not being possible, this would be my short list if in OP's position with OP's budgetary considerations:

1. Costco Interstate Group 24 AGM if it will fit and is less expensive than the batteries in #2.
2. Dekka Eliminator AGM or equivalent mid-range AGM from East Penn (e.g., NAPA Legend AGM, O'Reilly Super Start Platinum AGM, Duralast AGM, etc. - all the same battery, the only difference is label, warranty and price.)
3. Costco Interstate Group 34 flooded lead acid battery

Note: I warrantied a 3 year old Costco Interstate battery a few months ago. No battery testing; no questions asked.
 
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explorerlyon said:
I need a battery also to replace my 10-year Die Hard Platinum AGM. I don't have a recommendation, but a couple of tips on your search:

1. COSTCO: I have a few interstate batteries from Costco in other vehicles. The last one I took back for warranty replacement they did test the battery and I had to argue with them a bit about replacement. Battery is rated at 850 CCA and it measured 650. They didn't want to replace it at first, but the battery was only 3 months old. So, Interstate does not seem to be the quality they once were, and Costco is not as easy warranty as they once were.

2. Batteries Plus: The X2 (Northstar) varies in price by over $200 from store to store. Change the pickup location on their website and you may find one affordable.
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Interesting! I was able to get pricing at Batteries Plus Bulbs anywhere from $319 to $249 by changing pick up location, with no rhyme or reason that I could figure out.
 
Honestly I don’t follow what many say at all. I just buy a refurbished car battery where I live for $65 and it lasts me 5 years. Not one single problem starting in hot weather, cold weather, and not battery failures or loosing charge. Never had a problem when on the trails also. Bring the one in after 5 years, get $10 core for it, and buy another $65 battery for another 5 years
 
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Mr. Bills said:
If I were close enough to cross to Canada, I'd buy the AGM from Canadian Tire. And some Scepter 20l MFC's while I was at it.

That not being possible, this would be my short list if in OP's position with OP's budgetary considerations:

1. Costco Interstate Group 24 AGM if it will fit and is less expensive than the batteries in #2.
2. Dekka Eliminator AGM or equivalent mid-range AGM from East Penn (e.g., NAPA Legend AGM, O'Reilly Super Start Platinum AGM, Duralast AGM, etc. - all the same battery, the only difference is label, warranty and price.)
3. Costco Interstate Group 34 flooded lead acid battery
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Well, not going to rule out Canada, as I have been led to believe it's *difficult* to cross, not impossible. However, I will be researching the US stores you mention in point 2 as well. Thanks for the input!
 
Ricgowan said:
Interesting! I was able to get pricing at Batteries Plus Bulbs anywhere from $319 to $249 by changing pick up location, with no rhyme or reason that I could figure out.
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Yep. There is currently a 10% off coupon and I think a $20 rebate from X2 as well.
 
Kaden02Tj said:
Honestly I don’t follow what many say at all. I just buy a refurbished car battery where I live for $65 and it lasts me 5 years. Not one single problem starting in hot weather, cold weather, and not battery failures or loosing charge. Never had a problem when on the trails also. Bring the one in after 5 years, get $10 core for it, and buy another $65 battery for another 5 years
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Going that route would make me nervous, personally, even though I always carry jumper cables.

But, this is why I'm enjoying having found this forum versus the other TJ sites. No heaping on of crap because you aren't following everyone else's opinion. Thanks for the input!
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Does that one come with a charger? One of the reviews says it does not.
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I don’t recall that it did. It uses a standard cellular phone charger, either USB-C or micro-USB. I just use my regular phone chargers to charge it.

I had a NOCO before this, but that didn’t last 3 months, so I bought the Schumacher to replace it.
 
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