27F Battery: Optima VS NorthStar

Ordered a Northstar today, @ramonortiz55 got me a deal on it that dropped the price enough to justify ordering that over driving to get an X2.

I figure at this point the truck has 105k and I plan on holding onto it for 5 more years. I'll never have to buy a battery for it again. I also do have potential for more draw than stock (heated seats, heated mirrors, small subwoofer, aftermarket headunit, LEDs in bed, brake controller), so it's not going to hurt to go better than OEM.

Plus, it's endorsed by Oz. That's probably all I really needed to know in the first place.

 

So, my NorthStar failed in a month. I'm hoping it was a fluke (new one has been okay).

I didn't drive the truck for a day, which is unusual. I went to start it and it cranked over really slowly, as if it was -20 out, but it was in the 40s. I immediately thought there must be a parasitic draw, so I checked for that and found none. Drove the truck throughout the day and found every time I started it, it would crank like it was almost dead. Battery voltage would immediately drop to 12.2 after shutting the engine off. I found if you put a multimeter on it, it would keep dropping. After an hour it'd be in high 11 territory.

There is a NorthStar dealer a couple hours from me and they warranteed it no questions asked. They said "it happens, but it is unusual". New one has been good.

 

It's an internal short. I would bet that if you measured the voltage under load it would drop to 5 or 6 volts. Clearly a manufacturing defect. I'm loving my X2Power (rebadged Northstar). Mine has a 5 year full replacement warranty, so apparently they have confidence in their product.

 

Never tried measuring under load.

I put an AGM charger on it and it never said it was fully charged. As soon as I pulled the charger, even after having it on there for hours, it would drop voltage down to the 11s. If I let it sit overnight it'd be in the high 10s.

New one sits right around 13v when the truck is off and there's no load. I'm told 12.8v is 100% for an AGM battery, anything more is a float charge.

 

12.7 is full charge on a lead acid battery. I believe AGMs are 12.9 -13.0. Immediately after charging there is a residual charge that must be flashed off to see the true charged voltage. You can apply a quick load to the battery, and then see where it settles. Unfortunately car charging systems are not so good for actually maintaining a battery. The good shore charging systems have de-sulfination cycles that really extend the life of a battery. They also go above 14V which is helpful for AGMs.

 

I know you've already purchased a battery, but fwiw I've always had really good luck with Costco batteries. Some of them even come with a 120 month warranty.

 

I just tried to get 27f at costco the other day and was told they do not have this particular size. I asked if they could order me one and not possible (I think Interstate provides their batteries and they don't make that size). Employee was surprised as he gets requests often. I plan to get the duralast at AutoZone, you can get 20% coupons.

 

They may not carry it at Costco, but Interstate definitely makes/offers a 27F battery. I planned to upgrade my OEM battery to their Mega-Tron Plus 27F, until the last Northstar Group Buy...

 

Thank you, good to know. That is why we have TW!

 

Just for fun of adding to the conversation, I was going to go with a NorthStar but my original battery died a while ahead of the most recent group buy which was a bummer. Anyways, I ended up with a Duracell Gold 27f from BatteriesPlus. Has some nice specs for a $130 lead acid battery. Doing great so far.

Still need to alter the stock battery hold down as the Duracell is a bit larger than the original battery.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli27fm

 

Always an Autozone around the corner

 

Not true, at least not if you're in remote areas. That's why I chose the X2(Northstar)

In hunting season, I tow my camper down 50+ miles on dead-end dirt roads in sub zero temps to chase elk for a week. I want peace of mind that the truck will start when I need it - and that the winch will work if I need it.

 

Well, I guess that's true. I'm coming from the sports car crowd. This is my first truck...lol...honestly il do a dual battery set up at some point and do whatever the best stuff out is

 

Same here, picked up a 27F for ~100$, its done beautifully so far in 3 Edmonton winters, no problems cranking or maintaining charge at -30 to date. Can't beat the no questions asked warranty either.

 

I find NAPA to be the easiest to find in remote areas at least in the Northeast. We had them and Advance here. Only got an AutoZone recently.