Need batteries

[Crunch]

This comment probably belongs in the 2nd gen, but my buddy with the last of a 2nd gen build date, kept having a trany or fuel problem. He thought it was in the fuel system and I thought it was in the trany, (auto) it seemed to shift odd to me. He had checked all of his chasse grounds, and it seemed to help a bit. Well it turned out to be a weak battery, he changed out both Batteries and problem solved. Unbelievable, I didn't realize it could cause that sort of an issue. I will change mine when the expected battery life is up.

When my batteries started going out I noticed strange dash lights lighting up (the security system light on a truck without a security system) and the boost light on my Prodigy brake controller would light up until I cycled the boost button. Replaced the batteries and as with your buddy, problem solved. I wouldn't be surprised if bad batteries could fry the computers on new vehicles and end up costing some serious coin.

 

[MillerR]

My '03 has the OEM batteries, still running strong.

 

[SSage]

I've put the Everstarts in the 2003 and the 1995 trucks and they have performed well.



About 4 years in the 03 and about 6 years in the 95. I don't drive the 95 often and I've jumped it 3 times, so far the Walmart batteries have exceeded expectations for the price. I'll buy more of them when they start to die.



Original 03 batteries were replaced at 8 years as preventive maintenance. In my 2nd gen, I left the batteries in too long and it killed the starter with low voltage starts. Those were 11 years old and I should have replaced them or load tested them much sooner. High amp starts at 9 volts are hard on starters.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Deka still manufactures batteries in the US and has been oem supplier to Caterpillar for years. I have had only good results, and some outstanding results (in terms of longevity) in vehicles and equipment using Deka batteries.

seafish, thanks for the info on the Deka batteries. I have to say I'm getting sick and tired of bying this crap that is made in china. I need to replace the battery that I bought at lowes 2-3 years ago and it's tit's up already. I know lowes and it has to be a batt made in china. I notice more and more often that the things we but today may make it to the end of the warrenty period and that's it! it's dead!



In the old days, which I truely long for to have back. . . when you purchased something you could generally well expect it to last well beyond it's warrenty period, and it usually did.



So, at any rate, Price is no where near everything !!!! And thanks again for the Deka info.

 

[AMink]

I just dropped two of the Costco 65 series batteries in my 06. On Thanksgiving I had a no-start. I popped the hood and the passenger side maintenance free original battery was making a slight hissing noise and the corner of the battery was moist. I unhooked everything and hooked it back up, then put it on the 50 amp starter and fired it up. It still started after sitting out for a couple of cold nights, but I'm heading out elk hunting and need it to start for sure. As mentioned, it spins over noticeably faster. The Kirkland batteries have a decent warranty and more amps than the originals. They aren't maintenance free, but that's ok. I can check them for the cost difference.

 

[seafish]

seafish, thanks for the info on the Deka batteries. I have to say I'm getting sick and tired of bying this crap that is made in china. I need to replace the battery that I bought at lowes 2-3 years ago and it's tit's up already. I know lowes and it has to be a batt made in china. I notice more and more often that the things we but today may make it to the end of the warrenty period and that's it! it's dead!



In the old days, which I truely long for to have back. . . when you purchased something you could generally well expect it to last well beyond it's warrenty period, and it usually did.



So, at any rate, Price is no where near everything !!!! And thanks again for the Deka info.

Totally agree on the usefulness of a warranty when you are stuck in a no-start situation... where I live, I would rather have the better battery and the shorter warranty!!