I finally used the battery on my Jeep Wrangler to the point that it quit giving me the power I needed. When I went to get a replacement battery, I realized that it was the perfect opportunity for me to share advice on the best batteries for the jeep wrangler.
I went to my local mechanics and gathered all of the information and advice that I could on batteries suitable for Jeep products. I asked a million questions and gained some valuable insight on battery selections and the differences between Jeep battery types.
Comparison Table of Jeep Wrangler Battery
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Types of Jeep Wrangler Batteries
Not all car batteries are the same. Batteries are designed with specific purposes in mind not just in different sizes.
Here is some of the battery information I picked up recently.
- SLI batteries are used on most vehicles on the road. They are starting-lighting-ignition power sources.
- Lithium-Ion batteries are used mostly on hybrids and electric cars. They are not well suited for use on gasoline or diesel engines.
- Lead-Acid Batteries are sealed batteries that require no maintenance. They provide short bursts of power to the starter for cranking purposes.
- Wet-Cell Batteries are lead-acid batteries filled with fluid that will not leak if tipped over. If the battery housing breaks like when you are in an accident the battery fluid will spill out.
- Dry-cell batteries have a glass material that holds the moisture in the battery. They are also sealed but if their housing is broken there is much less of a chance that the battery fluid will leak from the battery.
Top 5 Jeep Wrangler Battery Reviews in the Market
1. Optima YellowTop Dual-Purpose Battery for Jeep JK
750 cold-cranking amps to ensure that your vehicle has the start it needs from the moment you turn the key. It weighs 43.5 pounds and measures 10” x 5 7/8” x 7 13/16”. It is reliable dependable and tough.
The Yellow-Top battery line made by Optima is said to be fifteen times more resistant to vibration than other batteries in the same grouping. That means you can drive the dirt roads and over the rough terrain without worrying about your battery being damaged.
It has both top post mounts and side posts, or SAE/GM so it can be connected to more vehicles. It is a sealed battery that requires no maintenance. It is also destined to last three times as long as the other leading battery brands.
Yellow-Top Jeep Wrangler Optima batteries are designed to be used when a vehicle has higher than average electrical loads. If your Jeep is loaded with accessories like winches, inverters, or other accessories the Yellow-Top battery is the right choice for you.
2. ACDelco ACDB24R Advantage AGM Automotive Battery
The 12-volt battery in the BCI group 51. It weighs 31.5 pounds, measures 18.5” x 11.4” x 9.5”, and is an AGM-style sealed unit.
The grid of this battery is corrosion resistant. This resistance is accomplished through the use of a calcium alloy material that increases the life expectancy and durability of the battery.
This battery is highly capable of being used for vehicles that travel over rough terrain and roads that create more than the normal amount of vibrations. This battery does not need to be used in areas where the temperature plummets below 300F regularly because it is not a severe cold-tolerant device.
To avoid any complications when you install make sure that you connect the battery to a charger and it has a full charge prior to connecting it to the vehicle. Make certain that all electronic devices like interior lights, DVD players, and such are powered off when the vehicle is not running.
This battery is tough and dependable but may not be the best choice for vehicles that are driven in off-road situations.
3. Optima RedTop 8020-164 Starting Battery
This SLI battery has a reserve capacity of 90 minutes. It has SAE top posts, 720 cold-cranking amps, and weighs 31.7 pounds. It measures 9.38” x 7.69” x 6.75”.
The Polypropylene case is rugged and durable. It can withstand as much as fifteen times the road vibrations than other batteries in the same grouping. You can put this on your Jeep and drive to the river, to the cinema, to the grocery or to the mountain top and the battery will perform fantastically.
Red-Top Optima batteries are designed as starting batteries on vehicles that have an alternator that monitors the charge of the battery and recharges if the battery starts to discharge or lose power. It is the perfect battery to use when starting the vehicle is the main reason for the battery. It works well in most vehicles, RVs, and even on diesel vehicles that have few aftermarket electronics added to them.
The battery comes with the adapter kit that makes it serviceable on vehicles that require a bottom adapter kit. It can also be jumped started in the event that it becomes fully discharged.
4. ODYSSEY 65-PC1750T Automotive and LTV Battery
Lead-acid AGM battery that weighs 58 pounds. It is capable of 675 cold-cranking amps and it has 130 reserve minutes capacity. It has fabulous starting power, rapid recovery ability, and the deep cycle capacity that you have to have with the newer and more advanced engines.
Durability and dependability are two of the main characteristics of this battery. You can leave this battery on a vehicle for as much as two months and when you go out and turn the key the engine will fire off as you cranked it the day before.
It comes with a 4-year warranty from the manufacturer but you can count on this power-house of a battery lasting much longer than that. It is made from highly durable materials and designed in such a way that it is maintenance-free and capable of being tolerant of both hot and cold temperatures. Bad weather is not going to stop this battery from springing your engine to life.
5. XS Power D3400 High Output Battery with M6 Terminal Bolt
Absorbed glass material is inside this sealed battery so there is relatively no chance that there will ever be a fluid leak from your battery even in the event of an accident. It is a 12-volt sealed battery and the electrolyte inside the cells is suspended in fiberglass material. It never needs additional fluid added to it.
You can mount this battery in almost any position you have to. It does not need to be vented. It is so powerful that it can power race cars. It is so affordable and practical that it can be installed on your Chevy Tahoe and used to provide power to the family car.
The M6 battery post makes this battery super special You can purchase battery posts if you prefer that kind of connection. It can be customized to fit your needs and your vehicle.
If you live where the temperature often gets very cold then you want a battery like this on your vehicle. It performs excellently under harsh winter conditions.
Things to Consider Before Buying Battery for Jeep Wrangler
You cannot simply walk into the store and grab the first battery you see. You have to get a battery that works with the type of vehicle you drive, the area in which you live, and the type of driving that you do.
Shelf Life
The shelf life of the battery pertains to how long the battery can sit without being used before it discharges to the point that it will need to be recharged. When buying a battery try to buy one that is less than six months old to make sure that it is still charged and ready. If you can get one that is less than three months old you will be even better off.
Compatibility
The battery has to be compatible in size and style with your vehicle’s needs. Batteries will normally have top post connections or side post connections. Look under your hood and see how the battery that is there right now is connected. This will allow you to choose the right connection types.
Some batteries have dual mounts and can be connected as top post or side-post devices. These batteries are more versatile and fit a larger number of cars.
Deep Cycle
These batteries cost a little more but they provide you with a lot more power so they are worth the extra dough. They are the best option for marine vehicles like boats.
Group Size
The BCI of the battery tells you the group size the battery fits in. In your owner-manual, there will be a section that tells you what group size battery is recommended for the vehicle that you have. Buying the right group size will ensure that you get a battery that is right for the car that you drive.
Recharge Time and Voltage
You have to make certain that you are buying the right voltage battery for your needs. Most car batteries are 12-volt devices, but you can find 24-volt ones too. Check the voltage before you buy.
The amount of time that it takes the battery to regain a full charge can be very important. This is especially true if you use the battery to power your accessories instead of connecting it to an alternator that detects the current charge and keeps the unit full.
Warranty
Batteries are like everything else that you can buy. The ones with the longest warranties often have the highest price tags. The higher price for a battery that is guaranteed to last a longer amount of time is not too much to pay.
You can usually guarantee that a battery is going to last at least as long as the warranty is good.
Battery Maintenance and Safety
Most jeep batteries are now sealed batteries that require no maintenance. This is a good thing. You do not have to remember to check the fluid levels and the batteries last longer and stay stronger because of this.
AGM or glass-filled batteries are less likely to spill any battery fluids if you are in a crash. The fluid inside the battery is contained in fiberglass materials and in a gel form instead of a pure liquid form. That means the battery is safer.
How to Care for Your Jeep Wrangler Battery?
The newer car batteries are a lot easier to care for than the old-style batteries were. Back in the day you had to keep the fluid levels of the battery cells checked and add battery acid to some of them. Today batteries are generally sealed and you never have to check the fluid levels.
You do have a few things to do to keep your battery in the proper working order.
Periodically check the battery posts, the terminals, and the strapping material that holds the battery in place for signs of corrosion. Corrosion can cause a weak connection or can eat a holding strap in two. If you find corrosion present mix baking soda and water fifty-fifty. Then use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub away the corrosion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 1 Cycle of a Jeep Battery?
This is in reference to a charge cycle on a battery. When you use a battery, you are discharging the amount of power it has in it. Your jeep alternator kicks in to recharge the battery. If the battery is discharged 100% then it has completed a cycle.
A cycle is the full charge of the battery being discharged and then charged back to maximum capacity.
What Does the BCI Number on a Car Battery Bean?
The letters BCI stand for Battery Council International. The BCI number tells you the best battery size according to the physical dimensions, and the types of terminals required for the car that you own.
BCI assigns numbers and alphabetical lettering to batteries to show what group size they fit in. Some cars can actually accommodate batteries from one or more group sizes. The BCI should lead you to a battery with enough cranking amps and that fits in the battery compartment of your vehicle so it can be strapped down safely.
What is the Best Battery for a Jeep Wrangler?
The most commonly recommended battery for Jeep Wrangler products is the Optima line of batteries. Optima makes several different battery styles and sizes and you have to make certain that you are getting the right battery for the car style that you have.
You must make sure that the battery you select is the right size and part of the right group for the vehicle you drive. Some Jeep owners like to convert their battery space so they can install larger batteries with more cold cranking amps than what the manufacturer recommends. This is not a recommended activity.
Is A Dual Battery Necessary for A Jeep Wrangler?
The dual batteries on the Jeep allow you to have plenty of cranking amps for your engine, and also have the right amount of power for all of the accessories that are on your vehicle. The dual batteries allow you to operate your winch and other accessories without draining the power the engine needs to start and function.
Basically, if your Jeep has no accessories then you can do without the dual batteries. If you do have any accessories like extra lighting or a winch then the second battery can keep you from being stranded one day.
Our Top Pick
After reading this article now you know which one is the perfect jeep wrangler battery for your jeep. If you are in the market for a 12V dual-purpose battery then I recommend the Optima Yellow Top. It has an amazing reserve capacity of 120 minutes so you get continual, reliable performance. This battery is especially good at providing cranking power when the weather outside is cold and nasty.
If you do a lot of off-road driving and are looking for a battery that can take a lot of vibration you should look closely at the Optima RedTop Starting Battery. It is great in bad weather, has a 90-minute reserve capacity, and the case material is made from Polypropylene.
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