Need new start battery for GU - are the Optima yellow tops still worth it ?

[jff45]

I haven't kept up to date on what's good in the battery world so hoping for some advice on what to buy. The current AC Delco maintenance free did 4 years but I don't drive a lot these days so regularly have to charge it.

I'm looking at the Optima D31A but happy to consider any other suggestions..

[Rossco]

I've got 2 d27's and happy with them, think there's plenty of happy optima customers out there the D31a is a beast [emoji106][emoji106]

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[pearcey]

I rum 4 D31 M`s two in the car, two in the van, first lot lasted well over ten years of hard service before one started to fail so I renewed all four. Yes expensive but hey they never let me down and I do a lot of very remote work.
M is for marine better internal construction.
Best deal I got was from R and J batteries.

[MB]

Have always run D27 Yellow top pairs in my GU’s and just installed two D31A beasts into the GQ ute.
Absolutely love them, my alternator recently took a dive on Thousand Dollar Track and the two Optimas paralleled hauled me out of the poop by themselves until the alternator came good again thankfully [emoji28]
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2021/03/251.jpg
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2021/03/252.jpg


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[Truckus]

I still run the Century 4x4 over lander N70ZZXHD as my crank battery. At least new you get 36 months warranty and if you got a SCA trade card, or club card, you can get it for under 240 AUD

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/century-century-overlander-4x4-battery-n70zzxhd/602491.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwo-aCBhC-ARIsAAkNQivzln5uCnINNBT_5H9P9ylEaanALOW64rzXIRhTyQ IUSYWa97wNpWIaAt27EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

So thats is a basis for comparison with the Optima range to think on.

[jff45]

I had the Century before the AC Delco. I switched to the maintenance free AC Delco because the Century often needed topping up.

I’m going with the Optima anyway even if I could buy 2 Century batteries for the price..

I’m 75 now so the Optima might hopefully be my last battery purchase :)

[jff45]

Just after confirmation that the D31A does fit into the GU starter battery frame..

[MB]

Only can confirm that D27’s will fit a GU starter frame and a GU ARB secondary tray.
I did fit the GQ D31’s into the OEM tray and ARB tray by slightly twisting the bigger Optimas which is doable due to their offset spiral design. Might pay to get it test fitted on-site for the GU as other issues are:

1) D31 posts are central to the battery, you may need post extenders for the factory wiring.
2) D31 are taller than D27 and just fit in a GQ with bonnet hump closed and will need shielding atop.



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[MB]

FWIW: Unilugs from Baxters solved both problems encountered for me mentioned above on the GQ D31A main battery install recently.

https://www.baxters.com.au/unilug-battery-terminal-positive.html

I just have a bad feeling the reason I stuck with D27’s on the GU’s was the lower bonnet height than this GQ build, unsure sorry.




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[jff45]

Cheers, I should be able to get overall dimensions online somewhere and check that way if nobody has actually installed one.

I’ve ordered a pair of these for the terminals and I’m happy to redo any required cabling.

83036

[MB]

I’ll be back at the GQ soon and can take some D31 measurements if you need?


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[jff45]

No mate, they’re online.

Found this pic of a GU with D31A and also found a post by MudRunnerTD stating he has 2 in a GU.

83037

[MudRunnerTD]

No mate, they’re online.

Found this pic of a GU with D31A and also found a post by MudRunnerTD stating he has 2 in a GU.

83037

Yes I have 2 of these under the bonnet of the GUIV. First set lasted 7 years. Latest set are 3 years old.

From memory I had to panel beat the end lip of the battery tray to it to drop in. A few belts with a hammer and a cold chisel got it done. Was over 10 years ago. If you need a pic let me know, I can take one if you want.

[jff45]

It might be helpful to see how you “modified” the battery tray lip. I have limited room at the front of the tray since I had to remake my washer bottle to fit a Fuel Manager and also have the winch solenoid there.

83046

[geoffayres]

.......

I’m 75 now so the Optima might hopefully be my last battery purchase :)

...or, hopefully not....:D

[jff45]

...or, hopefully not....:D

My remark was really a reflection on how long I hope the Optima will last, not really about my mortality :)

There’s also the question of how long one is allowed to drive..

[geoffayres]

My remark was really a reflection on how long I hope the Optima will last, not really about my mortality :)

There’s also the question of how long one is allowed to drive..

Yes, I understood that John. Just thought I'd add the other perspective.......:)

[MB]

It might be helpful to see how you “modified” the battery tray lip. I have limited room at the front of the tray since I had to remake my washer bottle to fit a Fuel Manager and also have the winch solenoid there.

83046
MudRunnerTD Mate for John Mate [emoji106][emoji106]


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[jff45]

A bit more research tells me the D27F is probably a smarter choice. The D31A doesn’t just “drop in” and I don’t really want to be banging the tray out of shape where I don’t have much room for that anyway.

The D27F seems to be sold more which should mean less chance of getting an old stock battery. Probably easier to find one tomorrow too as they’re the typical replacement for the N70 range.

[pearcey]

A bit more research tells me the D27F is probably a smarter choice. The D31A doesn’t just “drop in” and I don’t really want to be banging the tray out of shape where I don’t have much room for that anyway.

The D27F seems to be sold more which should mean less chance of getting an old stock battery. Probably easier to find one tomorrow too as they’re the typical replacement for the N70 range.

Hey Bloke give R and J batteries a call their just down the road .
I know, I live in Adelaide, but their branch here gave me the best deal, and the guy`s were switched on with the right advice.

[jff45]

They’re not really just down the road for me. Min 2 hour round trip.
There are lots of battery suppliers around nth Brisbane

[MudRunnerTD]

So I just went and had a good look at my tray. Hard to get pics but the good news is that the drivers side fits perfect. The passenger side had to be manipulated but that is after market.

Note that the battery is fitted on a slight angle which is fine and the shape of the battery allows this.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2021/03/284.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2021/03/285.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2021/03/286.jpg

Go Forth Sir. Buy with confidence.

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[jff45]

Cheers mate, appreciate the pics. Is the front lip touching the washer bottle? There’s just a cable in the way in the pic.

My battery is dead now so I need one tomorrow. If I can find a D31A I’ll go for it but if I can only find a D27F I’ll go for that anyway.

[MudRunnerTD]

Went out ans took some more pics for you. Fits in easy mate.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2021/03/287.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2021/03/288.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2021/03/289.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2021/03/290.jpg



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[mudski]

Cheers, I should be able to get overall dimensions online somewhere and check that way if nobody has actually installed one.

I’ve ordered a pair of these for the terminals and I’m happy to redo any required cabling.

83036

Where did you find these John?

[jff45]

Ebay Mark,

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pair-Multi-Connection-Marine-Flat-Battery-Terminals-Bolt-6061-Light-Bar-Tool/183834490491?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOME SPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111314%26meid% 3D3f8e0052f2574feb8aa0c9bca88d26ef%26pid%3D101195% 26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dsb%26sd%3D1747084055 59%26itm%3D183834490491%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3 D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseUnbiasedWeb%26 brand%3DUnbranded%2FGeneric&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851

[jff45]

Just got a D31A that was stocked last Friday. Guy said he’d never sold 2 in the space of 2 weeks before. Sells a few D27F.
$460 poorer..

[jff45]

As expected after all those previous pics, it also dropped straight in on a slight angle. Happy to have the bigger battery.
Thanks for the help!


83055

[MB]

As expected after all those previous pics, it also dropped straight in on a slight angle. Happy to have the bigger battery.
Thanks for the help!


83055

Sexiest noise ever John Mate!
An OEM Nissan starter motor throwing a diesel cog into lightspeed life [emoji23][emoji123]
Double down on a second D31A weapon paralleled and hold on, your beast will walk itself uphill without an injector pump [emoji23][emoji106][emoji106]



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[MB]

FWIW: Next to zero electrical knowledge I have but can fully vouch for Optima Yellows over many years of nuffy abuse!
High Country chilly nights I was once guilty of turning my inverter/elecy blanket tray thingy lining up from a safe known ‘L’ beyond ‘M’ to ‘H’ guilty pleasures one cold night [emoji23]
Awoke to a 10.5V single isolated battery system (2x D27’s) and was ready for winching again within the hour at 1,500rpmish enroute.
In regards Bluetops, Battery World- Lilydale once told nuffy me that they only differed with external stainless steel bits and bobs including extra auxiliary 8mm studdies?
Either way, again I nuffy forgot about a Bluetop in our dodgey family campervan unused for over 9months without disconnecting to protect parasitic load.
That poor Bluetop read 3.5V and after PeeBee kindly suggested a 1 month maintenance charge I still thankfully use that stainless beast to this day [emoji106][emoji106]



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[jff45]

Sexiest noise ever John Mate!
An OEM Nissan starter motor throwing a diesel cog into lightspeed life [emoji23][emoji123]
Double down on a second D31A weapon paralleled and hold on, your beast will walk itself uphill without an injector pump [emoji23][emoji106][emoji106]


Mine won’t walk itself anywhere.. it’s an auto :)

[jff45]

These 6061 billet terminals are well made and really solve any height issues that stacked connectors might cause.
They fit well with the Optima D31A posts in the middle.


83282

[mudski]

Ebay Mark,

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pair-Multi-Connection-Marine-Flat-Battery-Terminals-Bolt-6061-Light-Bar-Tool/183834490491?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOME SPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111314%26meid% 3D3f8e0052f2574feb8aa0c9bca88d26ef%26pid%3D101195% 26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dsb%26sd%3D1747084055 59%26itm%3D183834490491%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3 D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseUnbiasedWeb%26 brand%3DUnbranded%2FGeneric&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851

Thanks John.
Just ordered a pair.

[MudRunnerTD]

These 6061 billet terminals are well made and really solve any height issues that stacked connectors might cause.
They fit well with the Optima D31A posts in the middle.


83282

Ghee that is Pretty!!!

[MudRunnerTD]

I also take the second to write the fitting date on the Battery for future reference. If anything goes wrong you will know when it went in and work backwards from there. Note my pic above shows a date in 2018 for last fitment.

[jff45]

I also take the second to write the fitting date on the Battery for future reference. If anything goes wrong you will know when it went in and work backwards from there. Note my pic above shows a date in 2018 for last fitment.

They stamped the date on the negative post. In the pic you can see a C 1 stamped there for March 2021. I also keep the invoice filed anyway because there’ll be no claim without it.

[MudRunnerTD]

They stamped the date on the negative post. In the pic you can see a C 1 stamped there for March 2021. I also keep the invoice filed anyway because there’ll be no claim without it.

Yeah i did see the C1 and wondered what that was.

I have a Battery guy that i have spent a small fortune with and he knows me by sight and has all my purchases on file so no receipt is needed. I like that Stamp though but the Black texta works OK too lol. Enjoy the big cranka mate.

[Mickhead]

Optimas were good until they were made in mexico instead of the us of a. Try a Lithium starting battery instead.

[jff45]

Finally have it running after having to modify the winch relay bracket. I’d been wanting to do it for ages.

Also took the opportunity to modify the start relay. The GU sends the power direct to the starter solenoid from the ignition barrel so I’ve added a relay to switch the power from the battery instead. Now the ignition barrel start wire only powers the relay.

Had to also make a new bracket to hold it down.
Glad I bought these battery terminals..

83291

[MB]

Magnificent John Mate!!!!
A truly Beautiful Installation as always, you got some tidy Skills Bloke [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]


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[MB]

FWIW: I too years ago was under the impression that nearly but not quite 1,000 CCA Optima Red’s & Odyssey Red’s were the Bee’s Knees for in the day 2.5hp Warn High Mount Comp winches [emoji23][emoji107][emoji107]
Big horsepower race crankers like reds get destroyed by winch sucking adventures and your new D31A weapon has the best of both worlds John with circa 900 CCA and a capability of Deep Sucking Cycle TOUGH [emoji23][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]



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[jff45]

It always started well when the old battery was charged but now it's really instant.

[MB]

You’ve made a Top Purchase there John Mate!
Just ran my new GQ D31 parallel pairs through a full maintenance/health check after completely pushing them to their limits down in Tassie [emoji51]
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2021/04/112.jpg
They’ve thankfully made it all the way to ‘Stage 7- Happy Maintenance Trickle’ (NO stuffed coils/plates)
GREAT BATTERIES [emoji367][emoji106][emoji106]


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[jff45]

Finally got back to this battery installation to get it finished. Wasn’t really sure how to make a cover for the positive terminal and settled on some red acrylic that could be shaped a bit with the heat gun.
A 3mm stainless screw fits nicely into the gap to hold it on.
The cutout where the 8mm thread is showing is to clamp the battery charger when needed.

83465

[Hodge]

Very very neat John.
Love those terminals!!

[Cuppa]

Nice Job!

I like those terminals too, although perhaps the 4 bolt version the same seller has might suit me. Can you tell a bit more about the making of the +ve terminal cover? Just flat acrylic sheet over the top? How is it attached? Where did you get the acrylic?

[jff45]

It’s rolled under the flat of the factory cable on the engine side and screwed down by the small screw you see there. Didn’t have to drill, the screw tightened nicely in the space there.
Just heated the end to roll it under. I’ll take a pic of the end tomorrow.

Acrylic sheet here:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Coloured-Perspex-Acrylic-Sheets-Cut-Panels-Free-Tracked-Shipping-/221974331742?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

[jff45]

Some closer pics of the bent acrylic.

8347083471

[Cremulator]

Top notch [emoji108] really nice work.
This is something I just wouldn't have thought of doing. Thanks for sharing.

[Hodge]

In need of a new battery. I am aiming for the d31a.
I noticed the M variant D31M is identical to D31A Yellow top. But it has a bonus threaded hole to attach things to.
Is there a reason you didn't go for that one John???

[jff45]

I didn’t even look at the different variations available but I don’t think I’d have changed for a couple of extra holes. Most seem to run the yellow tops and the D31A drops exactly in.
With those multi connection terminals I got I didn’t really need connections elsewhere.

If it’s the same specs and you think those extra holes are useful for you then why not..

[MB]

As far as I understand the M is Marine, stainless terminals and possibly a very slight CCA & AH difference but negligible. Dollars I think would be higher for an M as I seem to remember paying approximately 10% extra for my tinnies D27 years ago versus yellow top variants in other trucks.


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[Hodge]

Thank you legends!!

On paper, theyre the same CCA. Same everything really. One is blue one is yellow. One has extra threaded hole, perfect for a winch hook up and my upgraded Alt-to-Batt cable... 10-15 $$$ difference.
Had me stumped why blue-tops arent all the rage. ..

https://www.optimabatteries.com/products/yellowtop-d31a

https://www.optimabatteries.com/products/bluetop-d31m

[warthog1]

Well thanks to this thread I grabbed a D27F.
It dropped straight in and the terminals were in the right spot.
It'll do me as a starter battery.