I have a 97 xj Cherokee and I have recently mounted a 50" light bar and I have LED headlights. The battery is weak because wintertime it would not start at all without a jump but in the warmer weather it's cranking in fine. I know I need a new battery, but theres a ton of people biased towards Optima or Autocraft etc and there's many different types of battery's. What would be the best battery to get to be able to run the light bar and the headlights on bright without flickering and also being able to have the vehicle off with the light bar on for a long period of time?

 

I've always been an Interstate Battery fan, ever since I started working automotive. But, in talking with the Interstate dealer, he told me there are only about 5 battery manufacturers in the US. I believe he said Johnson Controls owns Interstate. FYI, the Interstate battery held up A LOT longer in my turbo charged car, as opposed to the cheap discount batteries I would buy and warranty about 12-18 months later.

Now, with my opinion given.

Have you considered a dual battery set up? I believe there is a kit out there, where you remove the airbox & install a second battery in its place. Perhaps a dual alternator set up? But, that won't help for sitting for long periods of time.

 

Working at Napa I always run theirs.
They seem OK and are just rebranded Deka batteries.
They run a $20 rebate often so that helps pricewise.
Especially since they are a little pricey.

 

Good old Bleepin Jeep have a couple of videos on that too....

 

I always buy one that is made by Johnson controls and think the last 3 were the autocraft solver/ gold batteries from AAP...got to love their coupons! I thought Johnson also makes interstate batteries as dealer told you but noticed that the wiki page says its privately owned so I really don't know.

 

The information I was mentioning was from a conversation I had with the Interstate Battery guy from like 5 years ago. So, I imagine something has changed. I haven't worked in the automotive field for about 15 years.

 

If you have an Interstate battery store near you (I mean the actual store, not just a dealer) they can sell you a "blemish" battery with a steep discount assuming they have a size that works for you. They test like new and still come with a warranty and everything.
I bought 3 of them over the years for different vehicles, great quality and literally unbeatable price.
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^^^^^ THIS!!! ^^^^^

This is great advice!

That said, here's the most important thing: don't get all wrapped up in trying to figure out what is "the BEST" battery. Buy a good quality name brand and do proper maintenance. Done. Be happy.

It is normal among enthusiasts to have lengthy debates about which is the BEST .... [fill in the blank] Oil, battery, tire, and on and on. In most cases, they are arguing about differences that make no difference. Just get a good one and go have some fun.


If your Heep sits for long periods of time install a smart battery maintainer; one that desulphates.

If you are running your LEDs only while driving, you don't need a second battery. If you want to run them for lighting the camp site at night, install a second battery. The second one should be isolated, and should be a deep cycle battery, like a marine battery. You probably do not need to upgrade your alternator. LEDs don't draw nearly as much power as the old KC Hi-Lites did. If you go crazy with LEDs, or expect heavy winch usage, maybe.

Optimas used to be the best, and because of that they have a lot of very dedicated fanboys out there. However, they got sold a while back and the quality is not what it used to be.

 

Everstart battery's from Walmart are made by Johnson controls and I have always had good luck with them, Rural King has a good deal on batteries also. Avoid the ones from Orileys I have got a couple from there and they only lasted 2 years, and I am not the only one I know that that has happened to. Motorcraft batteries are probably the best I have used, batteries in a diesel truck typically only last 4-5 years I have seen the Motorcrafts that are 7 years old and still test good.

 

I hear you on the motorcraft batteries I had one last 8 years but went ahead and replaced it as per my tester is was starting to bad and its the wife's car. I think Johnson Controls still makes them.

 

NAPA legend 7534. also maybe you should consider putting in an extended idle switch. It takes the idle up to about 1000 rpm's if needed. all you need are two wires and a toggle switch.

 

NAPA Legend here too.

 

Holy crap. Had a new alarm and Ravelco installed for anti theft since my XJ got jacked in Denver.

Both installers said that my battery was super weak.

NAPA Legend 7534 seems to have fixed the issue. Plus 2 year exchange warranty. Wasn’t cheap but totally worth it. Around $270 installed (just had the Ravelco guys install it) since they were doing all the wiring and stuff anyway.

Thanks for the advice!

 

I just replaced the NAPA Legend battery I mentioned 2 posts above after having it for 7 years almost to the day. I have no complaints with that and bought the same one again.

 

7 years?!? Can’t ask for more than that!!