Best engine/starting battery?

ldfeat · 07-19-2018, 04:13 PM

Just curious on what others are replacing their OEM engine battery with? I have seen the grp 49 Durolast Platinm H8-AGM cca 900 @ Autozone recommended, but I'm not comfortable with using an AGM battery as a start battery. I've always thought that the non-AGM batteries are more suited for engine starting because their thicker plates provide better starting power for that sudden jolt needed to turn the starter/engine. Any thoughts/recommendations are appreciated? Larry 2014 Reyo P.

NYBobbo · 07-19-2018, 06:42 PM

all of the Views have AGM batteries since they are under the floor board. I haven't had an issues in 2.5 years with it. I even replaced the OEM house batteries with lifeline AGM.

Kayak73 · 07-21-2018, 10:30 PM

Here is what I understand. Typically deep cycle batteries have much thicker plates and withstand deep cycle discharge which makes them great for the house battery. Starting batteries for the chassis side are normally different with many more thinner plates to deliver high CCA at start of the engine. Deep discharge of the "starter" chassis battery will kill it or shorten it's life significantly. So while AGM in either location is OK, it is the particular AGM battery you select for the application which is most important. Most manufacturers sell both types for appropriate application. Just be sure to get the correct type for the application and good luck!

Old Crows · 07-30-2018, 08:49 PM

All the Sprinters use an AGM battery as OEM.

sajohnson · 08-04-2018, 05:44 PM

According to CR, the best group 49 battery is:

ACDelco 49 AGM (score 90/100)

2nd place is:

Interstate Mega-Tron 49/H8 (score 86/100)

WORST were:

EverStart MAXX-H8
Bosch Premium Group Size 49

Avoid those two.

FWIW -- our OE battery lasted ten (10) years. We bought the View used in 2012, so IDK how the battery was maintained for the first few years, but we always keep a Battery Tender connected to our chassis battery. We plug it into the 12V outlet at the base of the center console -- that's a direct connection to the battery.

Winterbagoal · 08-04-2018, 09:40 PM

There's a group 34 Duracell deep cycle AGM at Sam's Club for around $120 regular price. I've used several of them as chassis batteries in full sized vans and pickup trucks and cars with no problems. They work very well in colder climates and they're made by East Penn (Deka).
https://m.samsclub.com/ip/duracell-a...lp_product_1_4

workinrvers · 08-04-2018, 10:13 PM

I went with two of the Duracell Group 31 purchased at Sam's club earlier this year ....so far so good.

jerichorick · 08-05-2018, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldfeat

Just curious on what others are replacing their OEM engine battery with? I have seen the grp 49 Durolast Platinm H8-AGM cca 900 @ Autozone recommended, but I'm not comfortable with using an AGM battery as a start battery. I've always thought that the non-AGM batteries are more suited for engine starting because their thicker plates provide better starting power for that sudden jolt needed to turn the starter/engine. Any thoughts/recommendations are appreciated? Larry 2014 Reyo P.

AGM's are generally not used as a start battery because of cost. There are different flavors of AGM's. Start, start/deep cycle, deep cycle. I have read several negitive opinions by RVers about how bad start/deep cycle AGM's are. Mine have been in the coach since it was built in 2010. Still working fine. My start batteries are not AGM. Freightliner used 2 commercial start batteries in this coach. They, to, are working fine.

The AGM start battery will be designed to deliver all the cranking power you need for a very long time, IF charged correctly, and out last most flooded cell start batteries. The internal resistance of the AGM style battery is less than flooded cells and they don't allow for adding water. This means, when treated as required, they they will deliver more usable power per group spec and don't dry out. The plates don't get exposed and damaged.