GMT800 Second Battery Underhood

[Madgrty]

I was planning on ordering an XS Power battery online (only place to really get them) but the only thing is I need the dimensions more than what group it is since it's a car audio battery, they are different apparently

 

[eagle-co94]

Just google the group battery sizes mentioned as they're standardized dimensions.

 

[intensert]

Group 78 or 34/78 was the biggest I could fit.

That's the same size as the starter battery.

78 = Top terminals, 34/78 = both. Both of my batteries are 34/78's.

I spent weeks looking to see if there was a way I could put a bigger battery in there but as near as I can tell, 34/78 is the biggest that will fit. I also got the X2 battery which has the highest amp rating of any 78 or 34/78 I could find: 68ah which is quite a bit more than the standard 78 which is about 55ah.

Went to buy that very same battery today at my local batteries plus and they stopped carrying them due to almost every one of them being sold were returned for warrant purposes. And northstar was very stringent on the returns. I would be cautious buying them at the moment.

Very strange as i cant find a single bad thing about them anywhere.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Went to buy that very same battery today at my local batteries plus and they stopped carrying them due to almost every one of them being sold were returned for warrant purposes. And northstar was very stringent on the returns. I would be cautious buying them at the moment.

Very strange as i cant find a single bad thing about them anywhere.

It's still showing up on their catalog:

https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/rv/deep-cycle/12?q=group 34/78

Maybe try a different Batteries Plus. Could be they're just out of stock and want to sell you a different battery?

There's also the very similar Odyssey which is available at about the same price from a number of sellers including Amazon.com:

https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-34-7...480603106&sr=8-1&keywords=odyssey+group+34/78

I believe the Odyssey is also rated at 68ah. In fact, I think the main reason I went with the X2 over the Odyssey was that the local Batteries + wanted almost $350 for the Odyssey and I wanted to pick up a battery in person rather than deal with Amazon.

If you do go to Batteries + make sure you get a coupon, I think there's a 10% off coupon you can get for picking it up locally - basically it will cover tax.

Our state (CO) will sock you with a $7 core charge if you buy a battery without having one to turn in so I put a message out on a local board asking if anybody had an old battery laying around. I was able to find someone a few blocks away within 10 minutes and picked up the battery at his house so I didn't have to pay the core charge (they don't care whether the turned-in battery is of the same type as the one you're buying.)

 

[Martinjmpr]

I was planning on ordering an XS Power battery online (only place to really get them) but the only thing is I need the dimensions more than what group it is since it's a car audio battery, they are different apparently

Here's a chart that shows standard battery sizes:

http://www.batteryweb.com/bci.cfm

For the GMT-800 trucks the standard battery is a group 78. 34 and 78 are the same dimensions, only difference is the location of the terminal.

According to the chart, 34/78 is 10.3" long x 6.8" wide by 7.9" high.

 

[intensert]

It's still showing up on their catalog:

https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/rv/deep-cycle/12?q=group 34/78

Maybe try a different Batteries Plus. Could be they're just out of stock and want to sell you a different battery?

There's also the very similar Odyssey which is available at about the same price from a number of sellers including Amazon.com:

https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-34-78-PC1500DT-Automotive-Battery/dp/B000TCTD3Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480603106&sr=8-1&keywords=odyssey+group+34/78

I believe the Odyssey is also rated at 68ah. In fact, I think the main reason I went with the X2 over the Odyssey was that the local Batteries + wanted almost $350 for the Odyssey and I wanted to pick up a battery in person rather than deal with Amazon.

If you do go to Batteries + make sure you get a coupon, I think there's a 10% off coupon you can get for picking it up locally - basically it will cover tax.

Our state (CO) will sock you with a $7 core charge if you buy a battery without having one to turn in so I put a message out on a local board asking if anybody had an old battery laying around. I was able to find someone a few blocks away within 10 minutes and picked up the battery at his house so I didn't have to pay the core charge (they don't care whether the turned-in battery is of the same type as the one you're buying.)

I called around to a few others, and nobody stocked the X2's anymore other than the marine batteries, and even those they'd have to order. I can't for the life of me think of any store that would rather sell me a $199 batter that they actually marked down to $145 for me rather than order me up a $289 battery. I want a battery that if I have issues with, I can roll into a store, get it tested, and swap it out then an there. I though that would be the case with the X2's, but apparently not. Hopefully they right the issues because they sound like great batteries if issue free. I considered the odyssey's as well, but I've seen a few bad eggs out there and I don't want to deal with the hassle of shipping batteries.

The only batteries they seem to carry on the shelf now are Duracell, which are made by Deka which is still a great battery made in the US and with a 4 yr replacement warranty. I ended up going with their 34/78 AGM and like I mentioned above, they marked it down to like $145 and took my old POS interstate out. It doesn't have the capacity or the CCA that the X2 has, but I personally don't need it in my situation. When I finally complete the 2nd battery install, it will be more than enough for my needs.

 

[Martinjmpr]

The only batteries they seem to carry on the shelf now are Duracell, which are made by Deka which is still a great battery made in the US and with a 4 yr replacement warranty. I ended up going with their 34/78 AGM and like I mentioned above, they marked it down to like $145 and took my old POS interstate out. It doesn't have the capacity or the CCA that the X2 has, but I personally don't need it in my situation. When I finally complete the 2nd battery install, it will be more than enough for my needs.

My starter battery is a Deka as well (Sold though O'Reilly auto parts under the name of "super start.") 55ah, pretty decent depending on what you're using it for.

Since I run a fridge in the summer time I need a powerful battery. I think the X2 has a 5 year replacement warranty, and I carry the receipt in my glove compartment (although the guy at Batteries + said that since I was "in their system" that wasn't really neccessary.) Since Batteries + is all over the US I figure if I have an issue I can take to any batteries + store for a replacement.

 

[intensert]

My starter battery is a Deka as well (Sold though O'Reilly auto parts under the name of "super start.") 55ah, pretty decent depending on what you're using it for.

Since I run a fridge in the summer time I need a powerful battery. I think the X2 has a 5 year replacement warranty, and I carry the receipt in my glove compartment (although the guy at Batteries + said that since I was "in their system" that wasn't really neccessary.) Since Batteries + is all over the US I figure if I have an issue I can take to any batteries + store for a replacement.

Yeah it's most like the same battery I have along with the Deka Intimidator. You notes here are exactly why I wanted the X2, but Batteries+ comments and no longer carrying them turned me away. Just wanted to make others aware to ask around before ordering them.

Side note, so you were able to squeeze that X2 34/78 into the secondary tray? It fits ok in there with the top terminals?

 

[Martinjmpr]

Yeah it's most like the same battery I have along with the Deka Intimidator. You notes here are exactly why I wanted the X2, but Batteries+ comments and no longer carrying them turned me away. Just wanted to make others aware to ask around before ordering them.

Side note, so you were able to squeeze that X2 34/78 into the secondary tray? It fits ok in there with the top terminals?

Fits fine. Did you see my other thread? There are pics in there. You do have to remove the crescent shaped hood brace though. No battery will fit in there with that bracket in place.

No issues at all with the top terminals. There's actually quite a bit of room under the hood above the battery.

EDIT: Here's the pic of the 2nd battery:

 

[Martinjmpr]

FWIW the X2 is still showing as being available in our area (Denver metro area.)