[Deletedmike]

Does anyone know if I can use just any deep cell battery. I was thinking of getting a yellow top optima to replace mine.

Mazda dealer says it will not work.

 

[gregersonke]

You need a Q85 Battery, you should be able to find one for 350 with ship.

If you get a deep cycle they may not warranty this should it fail though. But go ahead and try it because I've heard a number of folks getting normal batteries with the car and it dying in a year or two because the factory put regular ones in because they didn't have any stock in the q85 and it died two years later.

 

[Deletedmike]

Many people have said a deep cycle battery is a Q85 battery. I just need to know if someone has done this.
My battery is not dead yet. I have a Optima battery in my truck that is 12 years old. I would rather get a battery for $250 that last 10 years than a $400 battery that last 3.

 

[wolstentech]

An Optima Yellow-Top or Bosch AGM battery should work fine. The Q85 battery is nothing special, it's just a crappy "enhanced flooded lead-acid battery"; it's basically between the regular starter batteries and the high-end AGM batteries like the Yellow-Top and Bosch in performance. The AGM batteries are specifically rated for Start-Stop systems and the systems like i-eLoop.

Your dealer disagrees because they want to sell you a $400 battery.

Just don't put a regular starting battery in there; that won't work long-term. That's probably what those people who had bad experiences did. The AGM batteries are around $200 at parts stores, though you might get a better price on Autozone.com's website for the Optima.

 

[Deletedmike]

I got my answer!!

This is direct from the manufacture.

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Good Afternoon Micheal

Thank you for your recent inquiry.


The deep cylce battery is used to run accessories and not start your engine, the Q85 is idle stop star battery.

I hope this helps answer your questions. If you have any additional questions please no not hesitate to contact our team on 1300 361 161 or by responding to this email.

Enjoy your day.



If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact our team on 1300 361 161 or by responding to this email.

Enjoy your day and I look forward to your response.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""


I do not have the start stop feature on my 2014 Mazda 3 with I-Eloop. I will be getting the Yellow top Optima battery. These things charge fast and that should exceed the performance of a Q85 battery.
It should work better for the I-Eloop system than the factory battery.

 

[talbert01]

Has the Optima worked OK?

Mike, can you give any update on what you ended up doing as far as a replacement battery?

 

[$lickology]

Hey guys .... I would like to know if OP's did in fact use a yellow top battery as replacement ? Did it work ? I am currently going through this same issue in my 2014 3 with I eloop ( don't have start stop )

 

[greggourley]

I know this is an old thread but my daughter's 2015 GT is indicating its time for a new battery. Has anyone verified that a regular AGM battery will work? Can someone specify which exact batter brand/model you used? The nearest Mazda dealership is 90 miles away and Id rather pick up a battery locally at Autozone/Advance/Orielly's or order something online. Thanks

 

[LuvmyMazda6]

Trying a Duralast

I just ‘bit the bullet’ and installed a Duralast Platinum battery (AGM) in my 2015 Mazda 6 GT w I Eloop last night. Got 4 years and 87k miles from first battery. I’ll try to remember to update in a few months w whatever happens.

 

[gregersonke]

You can use the Northstar NSB-AGM-35 batteries, or the X2 SLI35AGMDP battery from Batteries plus. They will warranty it the same as a car without i-eloop. Which is 4 years for the Northstar and 5 years with batteries plus and it's a full replacement rather than pro rated. BTW, I bought the Northstar with my paypal account. Northstar technically makes both of these batteries. They also made the sears platinum batteries once upon a time.

I have i-eloop on my mazda 3 2014, and I haven't had a lick of battery problems since the replacement about 12 months ago. The lights even dim less at start up still to this day.

 

[Gomer]

It's wonderful that other batteries are working and starting your Mazdas. But I'm loathe to use something other than the Q85. It seems if a AGM or other deep cell was appropriate, Mazda would have used that.

Considering that the i-eloop uses a trick alternator, large capacitor, and special DC-DC converter I don't want to do something that would compromise any of those very expensive parts in the long run.

So I'm going to bite the bullet and pick up the Q85 from the local dealer for $350.

 

[Gomer]

I have done additional research and have found what many have said - that AGM are better technology and are generally considered an upgrade to EFB. Great write-up here:

Which is the best replacement battery for automatic start-stop systems?

Which batteries can be used in vehicles with automatic start-stop systems? Differences between EFB and AGM technology. What is the best start stop battery?

batteryworld.varta-automotive.com

HOWEVER... I also found this information here:

https://no.co/blog/understanding-the-types-of-lead-acid-batteries

Flooded (Wet Cell)
Maintenance: Maintenance Required
Type: Flooded
Cycle Life: 250-500 Cycles
Duty Cycle: 50% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 14.4-14.5 Volts

Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB)
Maintenance: Maintenance Required
Type: Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
Cycle Life: 500-1000 Cycles
Duty Cycle: 60% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 14.4-14.5 Volts

Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)
Maintenance: Maintenance-Free
Type: Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
Cycle Life: 400-600 Cycles
Duty Cycle: 80% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 14.7-14.8 Volts

The EFB has a much higher cycle life than the AGM. I also learned that the trigger for the activation of the maintenance light in the Mazda is the number of cycles the battery has been subjected to. I have no idea what that number is. If it is 500 or so, than an AGM would be fine. However, if it is upwards of 800 or so, the AGM would be subjected to many more cycles than it is capable of. What are the implications of that? Premature failure? Damage to i-eloop components?

The Q85 EFB battery is expensive for sure; over 2X the equivalent AGM battery. But I got 5 yrs and 45,000 miles from the Q85 which is a pretty solid lifespan.

Thoughts?

 

[Kenviking]

You think 5 years and 45000 k is solid not to long ago any new car’s battery would last at least 10 years! I have had my Mazda bought it new top of the line 3 model and my battery maintenance 🔋 light came on a couple of days ago 6.5 years and 90k very disappointed i call that unacceptable programmed obsolescence definitely will not purchase a Mazda replacement!

 

[Kenviking]

I have done additional research and have found what many have said - that AGM are better technology and are generally considered an upgrade to EFB. Great write-up here:

Which is the best replacement battery for automatic start-stop systems?

Which batteries can be used in vehicles with automatic start-stop systems? Differences between EFB and AGM technology. What is the best start stop battery?

batteryworld.varta-automotive.com

HOWEVER... I also found this information here:

https://no.co/blog/understanding-the-types-of-lead-acid-batteries

Flooded (Wet Cell)
Maintenance: Maintenance Required
Type: Flooded
Cycle Life: 250-500 Cycles
Duty Cycle: 50% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 14.4-14.5 Volts

Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB)
Maintenance: Maintenance Required
Type: Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
Cycle Life: 500-1000 Cycles
Duty Cycle: 60% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 14.4-14.5 Volts

Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)
Maintenance: Maintenance-Free
Type: Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
Cycle Life: 400-600 Cycles
Duty Cycle: 80% DOD
Typical Charging Voltage: 14.7-14.8 Volts

The EFB has a much higher cycle life than the AGM. I also learned that the trigger for the activation of the maintenance light in the Mazda is the number of cycles the battery has been subjected to. I have no idea what that number is. If it is 500 or so, than an AGM would be fine. However, if it is upwards of 800 or so, the AGM would be subjected to many more cycles than it is capable of. What are the implications of that? Premature failure? Damage to i-eloop components?

The Q85 EFB battery is expensive for sure; over 2X the equivalent AGM battery. But I got 5 yrs and 45,000 miles from the Q85 which is a pretty solid lifespan.

Thoughts?

The EFB Q85 says 500-1000 the AGM 400-600 the EFB Q85 could fail at 500 also i talked with a few people in my town today and one of the parts guys st Mazda said it was no problem using a AGM it was actually a better battery to he EFB IS NORMALLY a cheaper battery but because you ate buying it from Mazda you are paying more he told me so it is a no brainer for me i went to Canadain Tire $220.00 can. AGM 5 year full replacement warenty costco $199.00 but didn’t have the right one!

 

[gregersonke]

As a follow up, I've still got my Northstar battery. The car has 250k on it, and still not a lick of problems with it. Starts up perfectly every time.

 

[gregersonke]

You think 5 years and 45000 k is solid not to long ago any new car’s battery would last at least 10 years! I have had my Mazda bought it new top of the line 3 model and my battery maintenance 🔋 light came on a couple of days ago 6.5 years and 90k very disappointed i call that unacceptable programmed obsolescence definitely will not purchase a Mazda replacement!

This is kind of a new technology for batteries, and in doing so actually puts a fair bit of stress on them. Most people have been getting the higher end batteries like the Northstar I bought and not having any problems after. To blame the whole car for a battery is kind of silly especially when batteries in general can easily be killed by a number of temperature issues.

 

[MrBen]

The AGM was initially developed for military use, especially in airplanes where the movement of the aircraft resulted in battery liquid leaks and spills. In order to prevent this, AGM or absorbent glass mats, were placed into the battery to absorb the liquid acid and prevent spills. That and the lighter weight due to less liquid are the main plus points of AGM.

So, why is Mazda not using this type of battery for i-Stop? The main reason is that AGM batteries have a dislike for heat. Most AGM battery manufacturers recommend that the AGM battery stop charging (charging raises battery temperature) when it’s temperature reaches 49 degrees celcius!

 

[gregersonke]

The AGM was initially developed for military use, especially in airplanes where the movement of the aircraft resulted in battery liquid leaks and spills. In order to prevent this, AGM or absorbent glass mats, were placed into the battery to absorb the liquid acid and prevent spills. That and the lighter weight due to less liquid are the main plus points of AGM.

So, why is Mazda not using this type of battery for i-Stop? The main reason is that AGM batteries have a dislike for heat. Most AGM battery manufacturers recommend that the AGM battery stop charging (charging raises battery temperature) when it’s temperature reaches 49 degrees celcius!

True, hence, the reason I went with a High quality Deep Cycle. The optima tops have dropped quality over the years. So going with the top of the business puts you in a battery that should never fail.