HMMWV Replacement Batteries

[85 USMC M998]

Looking to see how many HMMWV owners out there are using the 6TL Batteries or some other replacement. I have been using 65 Series for 7years; the fit is OK with some wood blocks. Looking for something a bit better but I don’t want to spend an arm and leg (6TL ~$200/each).
Would appreciate your feedback!
Thanks

 

[63foxtrot]

Try optima red top

 

[steelsoldiers]

I bought a set of the Optima battery adapters on ebay and got a pair of Optima red-tops on sale from my local Advance Auto. I had great luck with the Optima AGM batteries in my CUCV and I beat the snot out of it on mountain trails on a regular basis.

 

[emmado22]

Hawkers here!

 

[nf6x]

I presently have (dead) 6TLs in my HMMWV. I got some of those Optima battery mounting adapters that give them the same footprint as a 6TL, and I plan to use a pair of Optima red-tops when I get back to working on my HMMWV. I have several other projects to work through before I get there, but I'll probably do it sometime before fall.

Another thing that I want to do is to find some good plug-in battery maintainers for all of the trucks in my fleet. I tend to get short battery life due to infrequent use.

 

[85 USMC M998]

Thanks Guys!
I am torn between going cheap (if one could call it that, man batteries have gone up in price) and buying a good set.

Anyone use the DaynaBat <sp> brand.

I purchased a AGM battery charger/maintainer for my jetski (stand-up) Odyssey batteries. It is an Ctek 7002 Smart Battery Charger/Maintainer. Very happy with it so far.

Thanks

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Looking to see how many HMMWV owners out there are using the 6TL Batteries or some other replacement. I have been using 65 Series for 7years; the fit is OK with some wood blocks. Looking for something a bit better but I don’t want to spend an arm and leg (6TL ~$200/each).
Would appreciate your feedback!
Thanks

Which ones specifically? wood on the bottom of them or around the sides? Do the clamps hold them down?

 

[85 USMC M998]

I had some NASCAR from Sams Club, which were made by Exide. Shorted starter took them out. Repaired internal short and I now have Duracell AGMs from Sams Club, which are made by Penn East. If you go the route if AGMs buy s good AGM battery charger. Yes 7/16"OSB in the battery trays and blocks around for interference fit. This winter I am going to redo the setup. I cannot use the J bolts as AM General had intended as the USMC let the battery's leak and it caused damage. When I get it done I'll take some pictures. Last Time I had the batteries out I used some conveyor belt and cut out pieces for the side of the battery box to help protect against shorts.

 

[springbok]

I have two optima battery adaptors if anyone needs them

 

[KansasBobcat]

I bought a set of the Optima battery adapters on ebay and got a pair of Optima red-tops on sale from my local Advance Auto. I had great luck with the Optima AGM batteries in my CUCV and I beat the snot out of it on mountain trails on a regular basis.

I also use this combo and a battery tender through slave port.

 

[Dr Zoidberg MD]

I have also had very good looking with the Optima Redtops with adapter trays.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Could some of you guys using regular batteries(walmart/oreilly's ect) take some pics of your setup and specify which batteries you have? I went to Batteries plus, they could match up the Hawkers I have in the computer with one battery which was (drum roll please) $533!!!!!! PER BATTERY Oreilly's has 6TL's for $200 but they only have a 3 month replacement. Will 6TL's fit in the Hmmwv? They are longer than the hawkers looks like to me. Anyway, I'd like to just put some cheap car/truck batteries in using the original tray, wires and hold downs Even if I have to put some blocking in. Thanks!

 

[UNIMOG-GUY]

Could some of you guys using regular batteries(walmart/oreilly's ect) take some pics of your setup and specify which batteries you have? I went to Batteries plus, they could match up the Hawkers I have in the computer with one battery which was (drum roll please) $533!!!!!! PER BATTERY Oreilly's has 6TL's for $200 but they only have a 3 month replacement.

Go to Advance Auto online (if you have a store in your area to pick up from?) and get the Red Top Optima's or Yellow Top (which are what I prefer and use in the 3 vehicles below). They have a 3 year warranty and if you use the online promo code TRT30 it'll save you $50. Make 2 seperate orders using the discount code for a total savings of $100. If you order both batteries under the same order you'll only save $50 (which is the maximum value for the promo code). They do charge you a core charge online but if you have a core that you take with you when you pick them up they refund the $20 core charge to your card. I hope this helps.

I also have the Optima Digital 1200 charger and really like it. They were running a promo when I got 2 batteries that you could get a free 400 charger or a 1200 for $99.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Go to Advance Auto online (if you have a store in your area to pick up from?) and get the Red Top Optima's or Yellow Top (which are what I prefer and use in the 3 vehicles below). They have a 3 year warranty and if you use the online promo code TRT30 it'll save you $50. Make 2 seperate orders using the discount code for a total savings of $100. If you order both batteries under the same order you'll only save $50 (which is the maximum value for the promo code). They do charge you a core charge online but if you have a core that you take with you when you pick them up they refund the $20 core charge to your card. I hope this helps.

I also have the Optima Digital 1200 charger and really like it. They were running a promo when I got 2 batteries that you could get a free 400 charger or a 1200 for $99.

Which Yellow top/group ? How many CCA do you get? Thanks. Still comes out to $200 or so a piece. But I guess a 3 year warranty is better then 30 day and they're maintenance free. Might just do this, Can you put these in using the standard hold downs and cables?

 

[UNIMOG-GUY]

Which Yellow top/group ? How many CCA do you get? Thanks. Still comes out to $200 or so a piece. But I guess a 3 year warranty is better then 30 day and they're maintenance free. Might just do this, Can you put these in using the standard hold downs and cables?

These are the Yellow top batteries I have:
D34
CA-870
CCA-750
AH-55
RC-120

These are the Red top batteries I have:
Model #-34
CA-1000
CCA-800
RC-100

The reason I like the Yellow top over the Red top is that the Yellow top is a deep cycle battery which seems to respond better to deep discharges repeatedly. I have a electric winch on one of my vehicles which for me was another concern. My winch is hooked up to the screw connections on the side of the battery. I just looked at the Advance Auto site and it would be $186 per battery after the core charge is returned. Yes you can put them in using standard cables and hold downs however I would suggest getting the base/adapter that gives the battery a larger footprint/better fit. I think someone in this thread has one for sale.

 

[darr3239]

So all the Optima batteries you have listed will fit in HMMWVs?

 

[Dr Zoidberg MD]

So all the Optima batteries you have listed will fit in HMMWVs?

Yes. All of the Optima batteries will fit fine.

 

[Hard Head]

The yellow tops are better if you are going to run equipment in your vehicle such as radios, cameras, GPS units, etc. Red tops are more suited for bare bones cranking not long discharge periods when you just want to park and use equipment.

 

[ari]

I use 6tl batteries napa sells them for abt 200 per. the last set I bought where on sale for 183 plus I had a 20% off purchase coupon. And they fit perfectly

 

[leo4x4]

I run a set of rv batteries from auto zone