Best Battery for Lights-Noone Freakout!

So I know there are plenty of battery threads on here and I did search so please don't crucify me, I couldn't seem to find a definitive answer. Is there a specific battery that is best for having lots of lights? With Christmas here there is about 3 sets of Led's on my list and I need a new battery anyway. Im running a Blue Sea Fuse Panel so no need for extra post or anything, just a general question. If it matters any I drive a first gen.

 

I'm not trying to get smart.... (Ok maybe...)

How do you expect this thread to end up? You'll get the same type of results of all the other threads you've researched.

Optima Yellow Top - had one on our jeep for years. Not necessarily for 'lights' but it handled our winch just lovely. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat if I ever needed it.

 

There is no battery good for lights specifically. If you're looking for something that can handle a lot of stuff then look into Die Hard Platinum or Optima yellowtop batteries. I've heard of some having issues with Optima over the past few years.

 

I went through several Optima's in less than a year, never recommend them again.

 

Or really just any DEKA battery seeing as that's who makes Diehard and I'm pretty sure optima. I worked for Deka and sears is a customer

 

How bout a high output altenator over a new battery ?
Not sure if you have the tow package with the Toyota high output altenator but if you plan to run all those lights , you are going to need an alt that can maintain battery voltage . Just a thought

 

^^^ This, not much of a point otherwise

 

The stage 2 kit of this wiring upgrade would help power everything better.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/ma...coming-2nd-gen-electrical-system-upgrade.html

 

Thanks for the help guys. Yep HO Alternator and the stage 2 kit will also be added hopefully in January. I figure I should be ok till then since I wont have all the lights on at once. SOOOOOO was the general consensus on Optima bad? I have heard good things about the Die Hards though! I think I have read the same number of bad reviews as I have good on the yellow top. I need a new battery soon anyway, thats why I asked just about the battery, but I will be upgrading the rest for sure. Not gonna lie I was a bit intimidated when reading about upgrading the grounds and wires.

 

Just like some people have had bad experiences with Ford/Chevy/Dodge, you will find those who have had good experiences with them. Why do I say this? Because you will find many who have had good experiences with Optima, and those who have had bad experiences. Same with the Sears Diehard Platinum. I had a customer at my old dealership who had a Platinum, and he went through 3 of them before he finally gave up and went back to an OEM actually. But there are plenty out here who have had great experiences with them. Me, I have ran an Optima Red, and an Optima Yellow in my truck for quite a while now, and have had no problems at all with either. My old Pathfinder I ran a Red in it for 5 years and the battery was still strong. I moved it to my Jeep and ran it for another 2 years before I sold my Jeep. So it can be a luck of the draw sometimes. If Optima's are so bad, then why are they still selling well? Yes, they have problems, but like any other battery, or any other part for that matter, you have good and bad. Do your research.

I would base a choice on what your plan to do. Personally I recommend against a Yellow if it is going to be your primary battery. That is not the designed purpose for the Yellow. If you have a single primary battery, with no loads really running with the engine off, Get a Red. If you plan to add a winch, and will actually USE it, then a Yellow would be the best option there. Dual batteries like me? Primary battery Red, secondary battery Yellow. But that is my opinion.

 

Yeah you're freaking out, man. :echo:

 

Everyone knows there's 1 answer, the best answer, we keep anyone from knowing. The rest of the answers are useless.


Crap, there goes the secret

 

YES SIR? OR YEAH SURE?

 

I think the deeper cycle glass mat/gel batteries are the way to go...
Not the marine deep cycle type necessarily.
Tho' the later has a deeper cycle/capacity...
it usually comes up a little shorter with amperage output
and shouldn't be utilized as a house/starter battery.

I personally avoid the lead acid type batteries.
Mostly because off road vibrations are more punishing
to these types of batteries.

The better choices would include...

Sears Platinum (rebadged Odyssey), Odyssey, Optima Yellow Top.
There are a few others... but I generally ignore them.

* note... only use the primary cable post when connecting high load accessories.
If side post equipped... they should not be used except for low amp loads.
The side posts fail more easily... and often can be blamed for an early demise.

I run dual Optima Yellow Tops (group 34/78).
and I don't have the issues everyone seems to complain about.

In fact... one of my Yellow Top batteries is nearly 9 years running
and still offers 1000 CA's and holds/cycles it's capacity perfectly.

I use the Yellow Top for both my Aux and another for my starter (house)

A deeper cycle is advantages to being overly discharged
and still be able to come back when re-charged by the alternator.

Other std type batteries do not do as well when abused.

I have 12 lights (not including the oem lighting)
and a 8000lb Warn...
the Optima Yellow Tops have never failed me
nor have they ever fully discharged.

Now the Optima Red Top... forget that pos.
It's a starter battery... and does not do well with being idle
or overly discharged.

It should be noted that I have a HO alt yet to install...
But with a little self control/moderation...
I haven't needed to install that yet.
The stock alternator has maintained full charge capacity...
and I've yet to fully discharge either of my Optima batteries
from using the lights or winching.
^ of course I do not usually run all 12 aux lights
at the same time.

my dual 34/78 Yellow Tops...

 

Dual consumer junk Batts, or you could get one of the 12-14-16V XS batteries with a dash mounted voltage controller.

Yes, it's AGM batteries, with top caliber quality control, built to there exacting specifications.

http://4xspower.com/

A friend is rocking one of the 14V batteries without the recommended controller and its doing just fine 2 years running (BBC chevy 4x4). Cold starts?? problem solved. Big lighting kits and all kinds of electronic goodies in cab?,,problem solved. His 14V holds 16V when charged up to capacity.

The 16V hold about 18+ volts when topped, and absolutely requires there regulator and dash controller. If your thinking this,,give them a call. there is more to it than just popping this into it's spot and throwing the terminals on it.

Next time around,,it's all I will use.

 

I've always had great luck with green top interstate batteries. I have one in my plow truck that's been used and abused in a variety of vehicles over the past 12 years in Montana cold and hot, still keeps on going, idk if it will ever die. That alone made me an interstate fan for life, they are in all my vehicles now.

 

http://www.odysseybattery.com/

Ed

 

Thanks for all the input guys, While I have your attention, Riddle me this.....When I turn on my 20" Led bar up front my gas gauge drops. Then when I turn it off the needle returns back to the correct position. The led is wired into the Aux fuse panel and on its own switch not tapped into anything. Im thinking its a resistance problem and maybe I should ground the fuse panel to the frame??

 

I love your bolded statement. I have an Optima Red as my primary battery for quite a while, and have had zero problems with it. And I am similar to you in that I run many lights, as well as my winch gets used on a regular basis. And I am currently running a high output alternator.

 

I can confirm that the DieHard Platinum is a strong battery. Last year in 10 degree weather my truck cranked like it was dragging an elephant through maple syrup, now with the DieHard in 10 degree weather it cranks strongly. Plus as an added bonus, my lights don't dim when the sub hits hard and all of my add ons being on at once doesn't seem to bog the motor anymore.