Box0502, are you saying there aren't enough answers in this thread?

 

no im saying im a bit confused on what to get because there are so many answers. most of the links that people have put up are gone since some of these threads go back a few years.

Does anyone have links to the items i would need to buy? say for 24f or 35R? where do i get the accessories?

do i get this one? http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...e-battery-group-34-78-750-cca-d34-78-950/16210015-P?searchTerm=optima+batteries

or should i just get a diehard gold? http://www.sears.com/diehard-advanc...-group-size-34r/p-02850733000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4

are those the correct ones

 

AFAIK nothing has changed, including the varying opinions of the Optima yellow D31A.

> what are the advantages?
Look at the specs.

 

I've watched this thread come and go and can't help but wonder;
are you having problems with the stock size battery?
do you live way up north and see very low temperatures at night?
perhaps you have extra accessories putting a draw on the battery,
then by-all-means look for something bigger, but if you're just getting caught up in all, why?
I replaced the stock size with the same from walmart and it's been working fine for me.
reminds me of the "what's the biggest tire I can put on" topic.

 

Where's the LIKE button?

I totally agree.

 

How about running a CPAP machine for three nights in a campground with no electricity? Or living where subzero temperatures are the norm in the wintertime?

The first month I had the Element, I left my headlights on for a couple of hours while I had dinner, and when I came out I needed a jump-start. That's why I bought my first Optima. When it finally crapped out eight years later, there was no question of replacing it with the same thing.

Anyway, this thread has lots of recommendations for people who find the stock battery intolerably feeble. Others can rejoice that they don't need better. There's nothing more useless than an "I don't have that problem" post.

 

The first month I had the Element, I left my headlights on for a couple of hours while I had dinner, and when I came out I needed a jump-start. That's why I bought my first Optima. When it finally crapped out eight years later, there was no question of replacing it with the same thing.

Anyway, this thread has lots of recommendations for people who find the stock battery intolerably feeble. Others can rejoice that they don't need better. There's nothing more useless than an "I don't have that problem" post.

So you can run your headlights for 3 hours and not need a jump start now?

 

Which one do I buy from amazon for D31A? There seems to be different model numbers: 150 and 151 -- https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=d31a

Would it be wise to buy it from amazon or at my local car shop?

what other accessories do I need to buy from amazon? Which battery tray would I need from here? https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=car+battery++tray&rh=i:aps,k:car+battery++tray

 

With all the questions you have, you would be wise to go to the "local car shop" and have them install the battery you want.

 

This is also a good reference thread.
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126898

 

Actually I don't agree with your logic. People are always posting about problems that only a small number of owners have, and those people deserve help with solving them.

But let's please get back to topic. Those who want to upgrade their batteries can find info here. Those who don't, also don't need to read the thread.

 

Ok i went with the D31A 8051 yellow top. 50 and 51 is threaded bolts or the SAE ones from my research.

How long will this last if i don't have my engine on and have my radio and lights on?

 

Radio: A long-ass time. Headlights: Not as long.

 

Well, SEARS has an online-only Die Hard battery sale right now, so I let them sucker me in again:

Die Hard Gold AGM EP-34R (link)
Retail: $178.99
Sale: $143.19 (-20%)
SYW Discount: $128.19 (-$15) *Sears Shop Your Way loyalty offer **cannot stack with discount codes
With Tax: =$138.12 (+$9.93)

Paid with:
Sears Gift Cards: $13.12 (-$125)
Credit Card: $0 (-$13.12)

Bonus:
SEARS Gift Cards bonus via Swagbucks: $3.75 (3% of $125)
Credit Card Rewards via Paypal: $1.31 (1% of $13.12)
Total Bonus Rewards: $5.06 ($3.75 + $1.31)

Total
Grand Total: $133.06 ($138.12 - $5.06)

I think I got the best possible deal :razz::razz::razz:
With all that, I actually beat my last purchase price of $163, lol

If you don't have Shop Your Way (Sears loyalty), it's free to sign up (make login account, etc.). Points offered vary by person. I haven't been there in YEARS and they still gave me $15 off.
http://www.sears.com

If you don't have Paypal yet, they have a free $5 referral bonus right now if you click this link. Then I like to use the FREE Paypal Debit Card that draws from your Paypal balance but processes as credit (and gives 1% back):
https://www.paypal.com/us/invite?token=uOy0NgJfLN0

If you don't have Swagbucks yet, they have a free $5 referral bonus right now if you click this link. Swagbucks rewards you with $ back if you click through them to stores like Sears, Amazon, etc. or MyGiftCardsPlus, where I got 3% back on Sears gift cards today (delivered digitally).
http://www.swagbucks.com/p/register?rb=19151517

 

that battery looks exactly like the DEKA which I bet it is. That's a good price and blows away the Optima which is a piece of junk.

The platinum battery that they used to carry was the Odyssey which is the best AGM out there. Deka is a close second.

 

Google says you are right about the DEKA. Is the Odyssey still made?

 

thanks. i'll try one if there is a next time failure

 

why do you need a bigger battery?

 

My answer is in post #254 above. Others will have their own stories.

 

I did it, too!

My sort of build thread:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1628178#post1628178

Great suggestions. I went with the 24F and the parts list from this thread, Thanks!

 

The highs have been around 0 F or below for the last few days here in MN. My 2008 Element is barely starting after sitting in the parking lot at work all day. It was the same thing last winter. I just pulled the dinky stock size battery out of it. I never realized it was that small. I’m going to be putting in a type 24 tomorrow after reading parts of this thread.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Install complete! Before and after pics. Now my Element is Minnesota winter ready.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

Group 35 AGM on mine... 800 - 680 - 100

and a back up in the glove box.... just in case... Noco GB 40

 

Looking good. I did the 24F install with a Costco battery in December 2013, still going strong after 4 years. The Element is parked on the street and rarely driven, she started just fine a few days ago after sitting for 3 weeks and it was about 10 degrees out.

 

Just dropped in a size 35 Autocraft Gold 800/640 CCA from Advance. Order online using discount code NYBBX for 25% discount and pickup at the store. No problem using the old group 51 battery for core deposit. Bent the tabs out a bit with a screwdriver and fit like a glove. spent more time cutting off the universal tie down bolts, but the hoof would have cleared them anyhow.

 

Last week I took my 06 into the local Honda dealership and had a routine oil change and inquired about a larger battery and was told Honda recommends against it because it puts undo stress on the alternator causing early failure.

Not believing this a few days later I went down and talked with my trusted Honda mechanic and told him what the dealership said and he just rolled his eyes and said 12 volts is 12 volts.

I have had many vehicles and have never jumped them as much as I have jumped my two Elements. But then again my other vehicles were not a rolling boom box and I did not spend as much time playing with them as I do my Elements.

So I will take my trusted mechanics advise and put in any 12 volt battery I choose. This thread has been a big help.

 

interested in how its turned out for you after all these months.

 

Group 24 FX, what does X mean?

Looking to upgrade to a Group 24F battery, and found an Exide Brand Group 24FX with the correct terminal configuration. Not sure what the X designates? I assume "X-tra" power, and don't care, as long as the dimensions aren't different than a regular Group 24F.

 

Replaced my old battery, and it surprised me!

Finally got around to upgrading my old battery to a 24F last night. Old one was working perfectly fine, but I was worried about it, since I couldn't remember when I last replaced it, and am getting ready to leave it parked at a NYC airport for over two weeks.

Pulled out my puny 51R and saw it was manufactured in April 2010 and installed in May 2010. In all that time, she never let me down once in the NE winters and summers.

I almost hate to turn the old girl in as a core, lol! Nice job Exide!

 

Here's my bigger battery install. I went with the 24F because why not get one of the biggest batteries and the price was right at Costco for about $85 or so I think.

As suggested I went with the following items below. All of the items I bought from AutoZone with the exception of the J-Hooks I had to buy from O'Reilly Auto Parts since AutoZone didn't have 10" ones there.

I had to bend back the ears, used a screwdriver as shown in the pictures. For the plastic battery tray, I cut a hole for the J-Hook to tie down the battery.

Overall it's an easy install and worth having this size of a battery in the car.

 

Larger battery?

Has anyone installed a battery that's larger than the factory one? Anything nicer/non lead?

I have the Ecamper conversion and I think the draw on the starting battery from the lights and other possible accesories may have killed it prematurely?

More importantly what are other folks with the E campers doing for power and such? Solar is the ultimate goal, so was thinking a single system of a panel that could charge the starting battery and also power small items wouldn't be bad?

 

Yep, see:

https://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6573

 

no ecamper here but i do a lot of camping. keeping the rear lift gate open will hurt the battery. any door actually. go led interior lights. bunch of options in the above link for bigger battery. i went 2nd battery myself. both of them in the engine bay. oem battery for starting only and group24 for aux power. solar charges the group24. as long as the sun shines, i can always jump myself if i need to.

 

LED's are definitely on the list.

Would be interested to see how you managed to fit both batteries in the engine bay and what your solar panel and controller setup looks like. Sounds like a perfect setup.

The thread above is great, but pretty outdated when it comes to an actual list of what folks are using. Seems like a lot of folks using AGM batteries and some using just bigger group24 ones. Being so many options out there makes it a bit overwhelming to start. Also don't necessarily want the biggest option and having to get new parts, the stock tray and mounts seems like it would hold something decently bigger.

Thanks for all the info everyone!