TC33D Battery options?

[sherpa]

I need to replace the battery in my 2004 TC33D. It still has the original battery in it. If I leave it sitting for a long period of time I have to boost it off. If I use it every week its fine.

What are my battery options?
I would like to know what kinds of battery options are available?
Tell me where to get it, part number if you know it and the price?
Thanks,
Sherpa

 

[jeffghs]

Sherpa,

I recently replaced the battery in my TC21. I used one of the batteries from Wal-Mart made by Johnson Controls. It has been fine so far. Another option to keep the current battery a little longer is to use a battery charger that has a desulfate or recondition mode. I didn't find out about this until I had already replaced the battery in my tractor. I had to use it in my VW TDI as the battery on it gets weak on a streak of cold days. It looks like it should give me another year +/-. Replacing the battery on it is a pricey option.

As far as alternatives, the Optima batteries are a nice option, but very expensive. I replaced both batteries in my Chevrolet truck with Red Tops a couple of years ago. So far, I have not had any problems, but I have heard some problems with them lasting for a longer period to justify cost.

The other option is an Oddessey (sp) dry cell battery. Again, I have heard nothing but good about them, but the cost is pretty high. For my VW the price is ~$300.

 

[MikePA]

The only battery group that fits is Group 51, which are available many places. Others have installed the Odyssey dry cell, PC925.

The TC21 is a different sized tractor than the 25, 29 and 33. Not sure if it takes the same size. As Jeff mentioned, the Odyssey and Optima solutions are pricey when compared to a Diehard battery at $80.

 

[Andy396]

Hi Sherpa,

There's quite a few posts with respect to this topic, some of which are here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...estions-tc33d-battery.html?highlight=dry+cell

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...nated-battery-problem.html?highlight=dry+cell

The best fit in the past for a TC33 seems to be the Odyessy 925L or 925LMJT

That can be found here:

Odyssey Motorcycle, Snowmobile, and ATV Batteries, FREE SHIPPING at Land Mobile Radio Batteries


The main reason I'm replying is to throw out an alternative option to get some opinions from others. I was thinking about the Powermaster S975.

Starting Batteries

The battery L x W x H dimensions are:

9.38 x 5.07 x 8.81 - origional group 51
7.83 x 5.30 x 6.67 - S975

I think the width is the critical dimension. I'll take a closer look at my TC33 tonight and see if there's room for a 5.30 width battery.

I know these can be purchased through Summit Racing for $129.95 +S/H

The terminals appear the same as the original battery so it looks to me like an easy conversion. What do you think?

Thanks,
Andy

 

[Solo]

I see these battery threads all the time, I'm just wondering; why not just go to the dealer and get an OEM battery. How much are the OEM batteries? Mine is seven years old and I've never had any trouble. It sits in the cold and heat and on average I only use my tractor 50 hrs. per year.

Solo

 

[MikePA]

I see these battery threads all the time, I'm just wondering; why not just go to the dealer and get an OEM battery. How much are the OEM batteries?

At one point the issue was the OEM battery had the 6 caps on top and it had the habit of spewing acid on various and sundry objects in the engine compartment as the tractor bounced around. So people were looking for a battery that didn't do this. It wasn't a cost issue. Perhaps the OEM batteries are different these days.

 

[LarryD]

At one point the issue was the OEM battery had the 6 caps on top and it had the habit of spewing acid on various and sundry objects in the engine compartment as the tractor bounced around. So people were looking for a battery that didn't do this. It wasn't a cost issue. Perhaps the OEM batteries are different these days.

That was my motivation exactly. In three years of use with the OEM battery, I had to clean and spot paint my battery holder twice. Over one year with the Oddessy and not a sign of any corrosion.

 

[sherpa]

Thanks for all your help guys!
I at least know what my options are now and what will fit.
I will save all this data in my tractor file.
Thanks,
Sherpa

 

[sherpa]

Another option to keep the current battery a little longer is to use a battery charger that has a desulfate or recondition mode.

I do have one of these battery chargers in my motorhome. I will get it and see how that does before I buy a battery.
sherpa

 

[Andy396]

I took a closer look at what's in my tractor last night. It actually says it's a BCI group #45 which has the following L x W x H dimensions:

9.44 x 5.5 x 8.94

This means that there are several options out there from Powermaster:

D5100 9.04 x 5.45 x 8.15
D975 7.80 x 5.20 x 6.22

Jeg's and Summit carry them

- Batteries - Powermaster - JEGS High Performance

Powermaster, Batteries, Automotive - summitracing.com

Or from Odyessey

PC925L 6.50 x 4.92 x 6.93 on it's side, posts out front.

It looks like the 925 from Powermaster isn't available with the terminals reversed therefore it's not an option for our applications.

Hi Sherpa,

There's quite a few posts with respect to this topic, some of which are here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...estions-tc33d-battery.html?highlight=dry+cell

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...nated-battery-problem.html?highlight=dry+cell

The best fit in the past for a TC33 seems to be the Odyessy 925L or 925LMJT

That can be found here:

Odyssey Motorcycle, Snowmobile, and ATV Batteries, FREE SHIPPING at Land Mobile Radio Batteries


The main reason I'm replying is to throw out an alternative option to get some opinions from others. I was thinking about the Powermaster S975.

Starting Batteries

The battery L x W x H dimensions are:

9.38 x 5.07 x 8.81 - origional group 51
7.83 x 5.30 x 6.67 - S975

I think the width is the critical dimension. I'll take a closer look at my TC33 tonight and see if there's room for a 5.30 width battery.

I know these can be purchased through Summit Racing for $129.95 +S/H

The terminals appear the same as the original battery so it looks to me like an easy conversion. What do you think?

Thanks,
Andy

 

[ironpen]

I have a TC33d that I replaced the battery on 2 years ago. The NH dealer was $120. I simply took the battery out (2 minutes) and took it down to the corner AutoZone....found one exactly the same size for about $40, took it home (left the core with them, so I saved myself a trip back), 2 more minutes to install. No problems for 2 years. I think you are crazy to buy some kind of premium battery.....well maybe not crazy, but it really is overkill. This little motor takes very little to crank it. Save the $'s and take the wife out to dinner. That "might" do you more good! Good Luck.

 

[SteveInMD]

I had major acid damage from the headlights to radiator to the front axle from my OEM battery. Perhaps it was a bad batch of OEM batteries. I like my Optima.

 

[sherpa]

This little motor takes very little to crank it.

You are right about that, I jumped my tractor off with the ATV.

My 2004 OEM battery is doing fine now with a good charge on it.
I am going to see how much longer It will last just for fun.
sherpa

 

[Andy396]

Just a quick update.

I went ahead and ordered the D975 from jegs. It's smaller than the original, but it fits perfectly. It's litteraly a bolt in. My decision to purchase the premium AGM technology battery was based on the fact that my wife likes to mow the grass. She's a get-r-done kind of girl, meaning there's lots of bouncing involved.

Now that I've ordered it, I'm a little wiser. There's a difference between the D975 and the S975. The S975 comes with the post adapters, the D does not. The post adapter can be special ordered separately, they run about $7.99 from jegs. The powermaster part number for the post adapters is 586.

It's also good to hear that others are making out just fine with cheaper aftermarket batteries. Can I start a poll of how many are using aftermarket batteries, and for how long they've been leak free?

Andy

 

[SteveInMD]

Your AGM battery wont leak. You can install it upside down if you like.

I'd be curious to know if anyone has had a traditional after market battery spew acid everywhere.

 

[Dirtball]

Get a sealed battery. Many have had acid ruin radiators here. I use some sealed wheelchair battery a store had 7 years ago when my oem battery leaked. Starts in zero degrees and still strong . Group size isnt fixed . the holdown will accomadate various sizes on my 1999 TC33....