Thread: Battery Recommendations

I've had good experiences with Optima batteries. Currently I have a red top for cranking and a yellow top as my aux. I have also heard odyssey batteries are good however both have high price tags

I marvel at the white one in my POS.

Has to be around 10 years old, been totally flattened plenty of times, can be left sitting for at least a month and will still start the 350 like normal.

I think its a Yuasa, will check tomorrow. Has no stickers left on it.

This is the main cranking battery, I have an Exide as a dual, charging through a Redarc isolator.

cheers, DL

When I bought my Isuzu Landy it had a Besco in it - just the standard 4wd size N70Z or something like that. It lasted a further 10 or 11 years, and still worked, just turned a bit more slowly than I liked in winter. When I replaced it I went to the battery shop and told them I wanted another one exactly the same. He was surprised at how old the one I had was. Without checking I think the CCA was around 700ish.
Maybe you have some other issue to do with charging the battery. I've never had any trouble getting the Isuzu cranked.
Hope this helps,
Adam.

Originally Posted by landychris

I am after some advice. What is a good battery for cold cranking amps in a non turbo Isuzu. I have used Exide, Champion and Bond, and they only seem to last about 18months. If left idle for a month or so the Landy will not turn over and only tow start, even though the battery appears to be ok. Later I have put these batteries to use in a Defender and Series 2 and they have worked ok but not in the Isuzu. Ideas please.
landychris

IMO something is draining the battery while its not being used. A typical start battery that is repeatedly discharged like you describe wont last long at all.
Look at either finding the source of the battery drain and stopping it, or fit a battery disconnect of some sort if you're going to leave it for extended periods without using it.
I've got a similar discharge thing happening in mine, and I think its related to the electric brake controller I've got fitted. Mine would get too flat to start after about a week without use.
I've got a battery disconnect switch fitted now, so I just turn it off when not using it for a while, and switch back on when I use it again. No further problems with flat batteries.

Also be aware that the standard alternator takes ages to charge a flat battery, so if the battery is flat you probably need to drive it for about 6-8 hours to fully charge it again (or use a battery charger if you're not driving for that long).

Steve

I pretty much only fit cat batteries to things these days. converted a few others too them as well.

Designed for use in earthmoving equipment so they are in theory more suitable for use in a 4x4 but we've replaced batteries on the boat with them and I've never had any issue with those 2 or the 3 I have in cars.

Pretty cheap to boot

I'm very happy with my Optima Yellow Tops that RRturboD sells (search in the veranda subforum, or PM him directly).

In Canberra it is either very hot or very cold.. and I'd had a terrible run with batteries only lasting one winter before they died. (esp as I don't drive them every day) but these yellow tops have been brilliant. Even after having my 110 apart for months over winter they are fully charged and ready to go whenever I need them.

They charge really fast too (if you have a decent alternator).

I will give the yellow top optima a thumbs up

Have one as the starter battery in my 90 for last 8 years and was in my winch challenge truck for two years before that. That also was not started for 2 months while on its way to Australia from the uk.

The 2nd battery in the 90 was a pretty expensive ARB sourced one which died after three years in the truck

Originally Posted by steveG

IMO something is draining the battery while its not being used. A typical start battery that is repeatedly discharged like you describe wont last long at all.
Look at either finding the source of the battery drain and stopping it, or fit a battery disconnect of some sort if you're going to leave it for extended periods without using it.
I've got a similar discharge thing happening in mine, and I think its related to the electric brake controller I've got fitted. Mine would get too flat to start after about a week without use.
I've got a battery disconnect switch fitted now, so I just turn it off when not using it for a while, and switch back on when I use it again. No further problems with flat batteries.

Also be aware that the standard alternator takes ages to charge a flat battery, so if the battery is flat you probably need to drive it for about 6-8 hours to fully charge it again (or use a battery charger if you're not driving for that long).

Steve

Thanks Steve. I also have an electric brake controller and an isolator. I always turn off and remove the isolator key when not in use. After jump starting it today I went on a 115k run. After an hour it started ok, will see what happens tomorrow.
Chris