Batteries.... ?

[spankybear]

Is anyone running anything OTHER than 6TLs? My truck should be here shortly and I will need batteries. I am looking at possibly group 24s or group 34s. I know there are group 31s but I don't want to run those.

And before saying "just get 6TLs" there was a post back in the LMTV forum that said something like " We should export 6TLs to all unfriendly nations. ".

I am am cheap and don't want to spend the $$$$ for 6TLs and they are simply not needed. I have been running group 24s in my LMTV for years and haven't had one issue. I bought blems that where 29.00 each. Of course that was before the Biden inflation and I am sure they are well north of that price today.

So back to my question what other sizes are you having luck size wise.

Words of wisdom on 6TLs

Source for 6TL Battery

Thanks to some research by tnmogger, we've been able to order NAPA Part BAT-7256 and come up with a 6TL battery. Cost is around $200/ea, but they gave me 20% off with the "bucket sale" I spent $195 out the door including tax and three tubes of grease. It it is a US Dept of Commerce and State...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[swbradley1]

If two 31 blems will start a Cummins NHC-250 I'm sure they will start a HMMWV but I could be wrong. I used 31s in everything.

 

[spankybear]

Group 31 blems can be harder to find. and are really not needed. Group 24s will start a cold LMTV... Group 24s will start a HMMWV with no issues... I just don't know how will they will fit... and I want to get the batteries here before so I can see if the truck will start when it gets here. Should be here by Monday.

 

[MarkM]

I run two Red Top Optimas and they are working flawlessly. I did use the plastic adaptors so everything fit in there as it should.

Mark

 

[Mogman]

IMHO cheap batteries can lead to very expensive problems like fried EESS boxes, ($600 plus)
Also if you are thinking of taking the "cheap" road with a HMMWV you have a long row to hoe again just my opinion.
Just make sure you tie what ever you use down, just about any battery can be fit in there.

 

[spankybear]

Not too sure how "cheap" batteries will fry anything. But then again what do I know. I have also read that LMTVs have all sort of electrical issues. I have had zero electrical issues and I have 29.00 each blem group 24s.

Cheap is my middle name... Got my LMTV for winning bid of 3800, the HMMWV for 3700 and my unissues with top M1101 for 650. I am more than willing to wait for cheap priced things... and I can find them.

 

[simp5782]

If two 31 blems will start a Cummins NHC-250 I'm sure they will start a HMMWV but I could be wrong. I used 31s in everything.

I don't think they will fit.

 

[spankybear]

I run two Red Top Optimas and they are working flawlessly. I did use the plastic adaptors so everything fit in there as it should.

Mark

View attachment 892237

View attachment 892238

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I have used those before with that adpter in my CUCV... but those batteries are not cheap

 

[simp5782]

Group 34s/78s work.

Batteries plus has a 20% off deal at the current. Some of theirs offer a 4yr free replacement.

Same with the exides at home depot.

 

[spankybear]

Group 34s/78s work.

Batteries plus has a 20% off deal at the current. Some of theirs offer a 4yr free replacement.

Same with the exides at home depot.

Is the 34/78 the ones with the top and side posts?

 

[simp5782]

Is the 34/78 the ones with the top and side posts?

Yes. If you wanted to add any accessories you can use the side posts for any hookups with eyelits etc.

 

[Coug]

Flat top group 24 batteries work with the hold down, no spacers required.

These are 24AGMs from NorthStar, sold through BatteriesPlus.
A bit more expensive than wally world specials, but 48 month full replacement warranty, and being AGM they're just much better to begin with.

X2Power Premium AGM BCI Group 24 Car and Truck Battery - SLI24AGMDP at Batteries Plus Bulbs

X2Power group 24 AGM replacement battery designed for low maintenance and dependable engine starting power. Designed for Volvo, Pontiac, Subaru, Dodge and more

www.batteriesplus.com

 

[mccullek]

I've got two of the higher end group 24 Walmart batteries in mine and never have any issues. I think I paid about $89 each for them. I started off with 27DCs, but they would not fit properly so I took them back and got the group 24.

 

[juanprado]

So I had access to a regular supply of used 6tl's for a long time and when those ran out I started using new O'reilly 6tl's but found they do not hold up and are not excide.... Definitely a difference in OE excide wet cell 6tl's and others copies...

Last month I switched in my Hmmwv's to group 24. Does not matter if 24 or 24f as the batteries can be flipped. Fit the bottom tray indentation perfectly and the OE top hold down grabs them with stock cables. Fires up perfectly my 6.2L and since they are regular batteries have longer warranty. O"reilly 6tl I think are 90 days. And lots more $ in my pocket...

My son is an O"reilly store mgr and the optimas are a crap shoot, YMMV but I would not invest in them or trust them. The military plastic spacers are also stupid expensive for a chunk of plastic..

 

[spankybear]

So I had access to a regular supply of used 6tl's for a long time and when those ran out I started using new O'reilly 6tl's but found they do not hold up and are not excide.... Definitely a difference in OE excide wet cell 6tl's and others copies...

Last month I switched in my Hmmwv's to group 24. Does not matter if 24 or 24f as the batteries can be flipped. Fit the bottom tray indentation perfectly and the OE top hold down grabs them with stock cables. Fires up perrfectlyView attachment 892256 my 6.2L and since they are regular batteries have longer warranty. O"reilly 6tl I think are 90 days. And lots more $ in my pocket...

My son is an O"reilly store mgr and the optimas are a crap shoot, YMMV but I would not invest them or trust them.

I have not had good luck with Optimas at all. The best luck I have had has been blems from Interstate. I have been running them for over 15 years with zero issues. I just changed out a interstate blem in my PK that was 11 years old. No issues starting just changed it because of the age. Not bad for a 29.00 battery.

 

[juanprado]

I have not had good luck with Optimas at all. The best luck I have had has been blems from Interstate. I have been running them for over 15 years with zero issues. I just changed out a interstate blem in my PK that was 11 years old. No issues starting just changed it because of the age. Not bad for a 29.00 battery.

I get his family discount as he lives with me and just would not do it with the optimas and could not find inexpensive adapters. Now I can go anywhere with an O'reilly and not be broken down. Most stores do not stock 6tl's. 24 or 24f's are stocked anywhere that handles batteries as it is a top seller.

Have used group 31 blem Interstate in other applications and satisfied for the price but not the longevity you have gotten.

I don't think 31's will fit the OE set up in a hmmwv and they are taller so i would be leary.

 

[Coug]

I have no more faith in optimas these days than I do in the el cheapo wally world specials.
A friend installed one into her Toyota.
At 7 months it was no longer able to start her truck.

 

[Mullaney]

I have no more faith in optimas these days than I do in the el cheapo wally world specials.
A friend installed one into her Toyota.
At 7 months it was no longer able to start her truck.

.
Fancy New Imported Crap now days.
Like a lot of other things, made it cheaper "not here" and quality has gone out the window...

 

[MarkM]

I have been running Optimas and routinely get 10 yrs out of them. I have a crazy audio system in one of my cars and at shows I would pull the red top in the trunk down to under 8 volts and it always came back. Try that with a flooded battery.

Mark

 

[spankybear]

.
Fancy New Imported Crap now days.
Like a lot of other things, made it cheaper "not here" and quality has gone out the window...

Sadly the most USA made vehicles today are Hondas...