Optima D51 Battery for Suzuki Jimny

[Craig]

I have been considering replacing the start battery in the Jimny with a duel purpose AGM as I also have a 12v water pump supplying the MH with fresh water from a water bladder. I have come up with the Optima D51 that will fit. I can get it for $225 from Ebay and delivery is free or from the local supplier for $340. After some discussion with the supplier they dropped the price to $300. How can a business in Adelaide or Melbourne deliver the same product for around a $100 less than the supplier. I also asked the supplier if they had a problem with rip offs and they said no. Any thoughts?

[T1 Terry]

Seems the battery mobs and auto electricians have a min price they will sell for as they tie in overheads costing so a min gross profit is required, the e bay shop just needs to cover the listing cost, the battery purchase price and freight, everything above that is shear profit.
The Optima doesn't have a very long deep discharge life, around 300 cycles I seem to recall, but they do recharge faster than normal AGM batteries. They are roughly half the price of an equivelant Li battery, just less than 1/3 of the deep cycle life of an Li battery

EDIT: Got that wrong, the D51 is a yellow top 38Ah AGM battery, so roughly $40 cheaper than the equivelant Li battery http://www.evworks.com.au/index.php?pro ... -LP12V40AH

[Craig]

Thanks Terry. I have contacted them and that may be a better way to go. They are checking availability and will ring me back. As long as it keeps up with the portable freezer (only occasionally whilst driving) and the water pump supplying water to the MH from the bladder, it should do the job.

[dapope]

I was going to throw a 40 ah li in my Jimny, but have since sold it
The 90 ah one I have does fine starting the 5.9 Cummins, plus I know I have backup for the house if I need it
One of those would give you more than enough!

[Craig]

Well, drove over to EV works today to fit the lithium. They only had 1 and it had no top. I did confirm that it would fit though. I may have to buy the AGM after all.

[dapope]

Well, drove over to EV works today to fit the lithium. They only had 1 and it had no top. I did confirm that it would fit though. I may have to buy the AGM after all.

Top doesn't matter, I took mine off and bored a hole through it so I could hook up a logger. Havent bothered logging it for a couple of months. Just check the resting voltage about an hour after a decent run if I remember.
No smoke yet!

[Craig]

It does matter when you then have to modify the way it is held in place. I can't use the battery bracket as it goes across the top of the battery and am 700km's away from the MH so I have no tools to modify it.

[T1 Terry]

Didn't they have one of the batteries with the cells inside a second plastic case? Like these ones http://www.evworks.com.au/index.php?pro ... -LP12V40AH

[Craig]

Yes that is the battery sitting in the case but it didn't have a top for the case. So you were looking at the top of the individual cells and connectors. My battery strap would have crossed over and onto the top of the connectors. I would have loved to have fitted one but I needed it by today as we are heading back out bush tomorrow and I didn't want to risk breaking down out there as we generally away from the MH.
I ended up fitting the Optima as the Lithiums aren't due in for a few weeks.

[BruceS]

Too late now but maybe you could have used one of those tie down straps?
They don't rust either. (with acid etc)