Best Cranking Battery

[gubigfish]

Hi All,

Got a feeling my Cranker on the Ute has had its day, whats the best battery to use as a Cranker on the 4.2TDi? I'm sure its open to peoples opinion but would like something that will last.

Cheers
Fish

[macca]

I've had 2 century (Ultra Hi-Performance Overlander 4WD) batteries, one was replaced under warranty at about 20 - 22 months, it's replacement started to fail about the same time but the supplier wasn't interested in the problem. Now I have an optima yellow top. Time will tell if it is going to be up to the task. They are supposed to be good in the rough / corrogations and recharge from flat in 30 minutes if using a 100amp alternator. 50% dearer than the other, so needs to last a year longer to be economic.

[BigRAWesty]

Personally..
Optima are top of the table..
But carry a hefty price tag to..

I've never had an issue with the good old
Super Charge N70Z (from memory), with 650 CCA they do the job well and don't murder your wallet..

Not sure if the TD is the same as the ZD but I need a left hand battery for the ZD due to short cables.. so I'm pretty sure it's a N70ZL.

[threedogs]

I use an AC Delco sealed 760cca battery well priced and no issues at all

[macca]

I should have said the first failed on the CSR, the corrugations are as bad as I have ever experienced.
A Thorny Devil would have issues they are that bad.

The other had done a bit of outback stuff, no where near as bad.

We head into the center again soon so the extra investment in an Optima was worth a try.

Highway and 4WDing in our coastal bush is probably not tough enough to test a regular battery.

[garett]

used yusa bout 5-7 years... twice. also had successes with aamaron batterys. tried century but they umm are about as good a nrma batteries (good sinkers) ok budget battery solite this is just my experience

[LostBenji]

6703467035

This is mine shortly, well when I mount it and wire it up after charging it.

https://www.youtube.com/results?q=maxwell+boostcap

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=maxwel+ultracapacitor

[the evil twin]

Nip over near the Airport and grab a Caterpillar battery, mate.

Best 'bang for ya buck' Lead Acid Crankers on the market.
They sell direct from the spares area.

[sooty_10]

My optima start battery is about 7 years old. Still starts first go no dramas. Was used extensively as the aux batt for the first few years running my fridge etc. Did Oodnadatta several times and across to Broome via gibb river road. Plenty of other offroad work and also went away for 9 months sitting idle with no charging and started no worries when I got back. Only ever really been charged by the alternator. I do have a 5A Ctek now so might give it a fresh rejuvenation charge up see what happens.

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[gubigfish]

Nip over near the Airport and grab a Caterpillar battery, mate.

Best 'bang for ya buck' Lead Acid Crankers on the market.
They sell direct from the spares area.

Cheers mate. I'll pop over there soon and grab one.

[Robo]

6703467035

This is mine shortly, well when I mount it and wire it up after charging it.

https://www.youtube.com/results?q=maxwell+boostcap

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=maxwel+ultracapacitor

But it's marked 16 volts why use /show us that?.

[LostBenji]

LOL, These are capacitors, the voltage is the highest, safe working voltage.

[Cuppa]

LOL, These are capacitors, the voltage is the highest, safe working voltage.

So how are they used? in addition to, or instead of a battery? If 'instead of' how many 'shots' do you get at starting a motor which, for whatever reason, is being hard to start?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of using them?

[LostBenji]

I will do up a thread soon to avoid thread-crapping this one but basically used in conjunction with lead-acid battery (much smaller now). The end result is huge amounts of current that can be released instantly with very little volt-drop resulting fast crank and starting.
The size I have should crank for about 15-20 seconds on a ZD30 without lead-acid battery connected.

[Robo]

So how are they used? in addition to, or instead of a battery? If 'instead of' how many 'shots' do you get at starting a motor which, for whatever reason, is being hard to start?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of using them?

Also how long would it take to recharge?.
and the obvious $$ installed.
And wiring it in would compliment any issue in voltage drop--
EG in sound system,
or multiple power windows operating at the same time?

[LostBenji]

Also how long would it take to recharge?.
and the obvious $$ installed.
And wiring it in would compliment any issue in voltage drop--
EG in sound system,
or multiple power windows operating at the same time?





Only moments if a normal start as they recharge from battery and alternator. If you drain all, then you would wait for alternator and could take longer.
Prices vary a lot depending on a going unit like mine or if you build your own from scratch. Mine was around 500 clams but if you have time and patients, under 200 is possible.
They can discharge in the multi-kiloamps area, 2-gauge would be wise.
See above, in my audio days, we used to use 1 farad "stiffening" caps for systems, these are WAY bigger, you will figure out what they will do for a decent sized amp.
Can't help you with electric windows unless you have upgraded ALL the wiring, I am yet to see a vehicle with decent wiring that doesn't suck.

[MB]

Hi All, Got a feeling my Cranker on the Ute has had its day, whats the best battery to use as a Cranker on the 4.2TDi? I'm sure its open to peoples opinion but would like something that will last. Cheers Fish
Personal preference only for $$ & Longevity :-) Optima Red Top for 'Crank' & 'Yellow/Blue' for auxiliaries, same/same I believe? Damn things keep going and charge as quick as;
https://youtu.be/AM5EYO5wWMA

[LostBenji]

Optima make good batteries from my experiences.
The best battery I have years ago in my VS SS 5.0L was a 13-plate Odyssey. Those suckers lasted forever.

[Chimo]

I use these in the Patrol and the boat both for starting and for house
67048

[Rock Trol]

My Century Overlander was 4 years old when I replaced it with an Optima Yellow Top earlier this year. It was still cranking but was down on cranking capacity after testing. I got a decent deal on the Optima and decided to change it over.

i hope the Optoma lasts though as a couple of months later my second battery (Deka Intimidator AGM) expanded and died. It was only 3.5 years old. The turbo cooked it. I am a bit nervous now about putting the optima under the hood but it's good to read on this thread that they seem to last. When I removed the battery and tray I went for a short drive so that the car came up to operating temp (86 deg Celsius water temp) and then opened the bonnet. You could really feel the radiant heat from the turbo. On the other side of the engine the crank battery was only warm to the touch. I hope my optima lasts 7 years plus.

[LostBenji]

.....snipped...

Might pay to look at my Turbo & Exhaust wrapping thread.

[threedogs]

My Century Overlander was 4 years old when I replaced it with an Optima Yellow Top earlier this year. It was still cranking but was down on cranking capacity after testing. I got a decent deal on the Optima and decided to change it over.

i hope the Optoma lasts though as a couple of months later my second battery (Deka Intimidator AGM) expanded and died. It was only 3.5 years old. The turbo cooked it. I am a bit nervous now about putting the optima under the hood but it's good to read on this thread that they seem to last. When I removed the battery and tray I went for a short drive so that the car came up to operating temp (86 deg Celsius water temp) and then opened the bonnet. You could really feel the radiant heat from the turbo. On the other side of the engine the crank battery was only warm to the touch. I hope my optima lasts 7 years plus.

I have a turbo beanie fitted to the turbo on my zd30 Di.
My Aux battery is a Trojan wet cell 115AH , I have experienced
less fluid loss since fitting the beanie. Under bonnet temps are much lower now
especially near the Aux battery
These are the same batteries the use on the shipping bouys
in Port Phillip Bay with some solar panels

[Robo]

I have a turbo beanie fitted to the turbo on my zd30 Di.
My Aux battery is a Trojan wet cell 115AH , I have experienced
less fluid loss since fitting the beanie. Under bonnet temps are much lower now
especially near the Aux battery
These are the same batteries the use on the shipping bouys
in Port Phillip Bay with some solar panels

It's a idea to increase cooling off time (at shut down) as a beanie will retain much more heat in turbo for longer period.

[threedogs]

Robo ,I based my decision on thermal dynamics lol
it will get the heat out faster and I suspect less
radiant heat as well on near by fittings like intercooler
etc.

After a HWY stint Ill idle till the EGTs come down abit and then some.

[Robo]

Robo ,I based my decision on thermal dynamics lol
it will get the heat out faster and I suspect less
radiant heat as well on near by fittings like intercooler
etc.

After a HWY stint Ill idle till the EGTs come down abit and then some.

All good 3dogs, thought I'd just throw it out there in case some didn't know they had that effect on a turbo.
caking a turbo up isn't cool

[mudnut]

Has anyone used Bond batteries? Are they any good?

[Cuppa]

Has anyone used Bond batteries? Are they any good?

Never heard of 'em.

[gubigfish]

Ended up getting a Caterpillar 8C3602 710CCA seemed to be the most CCA that would fit the battery tray.

[mudnut]

Never heard of 'em.

http://www.bondbatteries.com.au/index.php/battery-range

[LostBenji]

Never heard of 'em.

ROFL, I just seen this and thought the same until I remembered seeing a little fold-out sign saying Bond Batteries in front of the dingiest car yards in town.... LOL

[Cuppa]

Seems like they are based not far from me in Ballarat!
Looks like they only do wet batteries, & claim that they contain more lead than most other brands. If true that's a good thing & would give them a longer life. No mention of AGM or deep cycle types.
Also looks like their 'better' batteries are Calcium type, a type that I've always avoided due to their requirement for higher charging rates than most others, & most alternators. (14.8v - 15v bulk charge) Unfortunately the web site gives no info about sizes/capacities/charging requirements etc. If their claims are correct one might expect that they would be far better known, but their advertising suggests that they'll never be a big company because their batteries are too good/last too long! Hmmmm.

I did find a thread on Exploroz (http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/48720/Bond_Batteries.aspx) with several folk who swear by Bond batteries, & those who suggest they are poorly constructed cheap imports. Maybe you should buy one & be the forum guinea pig? ;)

[Winnie]

I see Bond batteries everywhere?

I'm sure I saw one under AB 's bonnet on the weekend, looked brand new.

[Rossco]

Yeah i use Bond batteries and think their great. Yep Andy has a couple too. Patrolapart stock them but you don't see them in too many other places, must be a few places tho.

Supporting a local company is a bonus too.

[mudnut]

Bonds have been around for a very long time. You have got me rattled because I bought a Century, because it'is supposed to be an aussie made battery.

[threedogs]

Has anyone used Bond batteries? Are they any good?

They are a mob down Geelong I think as thats the only place Ive seen them.
Black and white logo from memory lol
At the lower end of batteries I think more an economy type brand