AGM batteries?

[Lmoore1624]

I'm still running my original MoPar batteries in my '04.5 3500 ... can't believed they have lasted this long! .... I don't think the new MoPars are as good. Looking for replacements and looking to the AGM (absorbed glass mat) kind. Do AGM batteries do well in our Cummins trucks? ... or should I stay with a good lead/acid type? thanks!

 

[Tuesdak]

Optima brand made the reputation and then JC bought them out and ruined them. best to avoid Optima's now. I have had zero luck with other AGM's in the extreme heat. Batteries last 2-3 years here period. (You replace them here on year 3 before they make you walk IF they make it that long.)

I have not tried the Sears re-branded or Odyssey AGM's. (Dekka's re-branded swelled the case up and didn't make 6 months over a hot summer.)

Your climate for heat make all the difference in the world before considering AGM's.

 

[seafish]

The Diehard Platinum P2, which is in fact a rebranded Oddyssey/EnerSys AGM battery, is one of the best Group 65 batteries you can buy for our trucks. Seriously over designed and properly built and backed with a 48 month full replacement warranty, as well as an additional 48 month prorated warranty, you cannot go wrong with these batteries as long as you can actually afford them…lol. DO Note that the Platinum P2 does go on sale several times a year for substantial savings, and you often CAN combine Sears coupons for additional savings, but when the battery does go on sale, you pretty much need to pouch the nbuy button because the sales do not last more then 24 hours, sometimes even less!!! I paid only $157. each for mine by combining offers--


Here is a link to it…keep checking daily, particularly around national holidays!!

http://www.sears.com/diehard-platin...2851065000P?prdNo=10&blockNo=10&blockType=G10

 

[MMeier]

Autozone has a recent addition to their line up that is a age type battery. Haven't put any in a diesel yet but seem to be holding up well in some people's rides I installed them into. Going that route when (if) the 03 ever needs a new set.

 

[p-Bar]

I put the AC/Delcos in mine. I asked the guy on the independent battery delivery truck what he would use ..

 

[Ozymandias]

Which ever Batterie you choose - you need to check the datasheet before buying, the Gen3 charges with up to 15,2V and a batterie that can't handle this power will burn up shortly.

 

[WCPoe]

I have good luck with the Sears Diehard Platinums which are the rebranded Odysseys. The regular Diehard batteries not that great in my book.
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That being said, I found the following in Consumer Reports about the Duralast AGM type batteries ---->

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...short-in-consumer-reports-life-test/index.htm
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Although this reference was for the group 48's and not the 65's that the third Gens require.
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Just an FYI.

 

[TFucili]

We have had great luck with Deka AGM batteries in any application.

 

[Lmoore1624]

Thanks everyone for your inputs. ....... Has anyone tried the AC Delco Gp65 (AGM - 3yr free replacement) from Amazon for $136ea w/ no core return, no sales tax, and free shipping?

 

[p-Bar]

I am running the Delco professional 65-7yr. 7yr prorated

 

[Motorhead]

I am running the Diehard Platinum P2 also in my truck. I re-used the battery insulation blankets in mine and put them around the new DieHards. Man, Do they ever crank the engine fast!!!
My truck was built in December 2006 and the old batteries were still okay. I put them on my Travel trailer. It does NOT pay to run WEAK batteries. It over-taxxes the CHARGING system and they will out-gas more as they age. They will tend to boil out and make a mess in the engine bay. I have an OPTIMA 6 volt that I bought new in August 2004 in my 1955 VW. It sits for months at a time. ALWAYS starts at near 11 years old.

 

[Tuesdak]

What is your summer temps? I found that the cheaper AGM's like the Consumer reports article can't stand the heat and therefore got kicked out of my kitchen.

Keep in mind "Spillproof" doesn't mean "Leakproof". The AGM's can leak like dry cell flashlight batteries ruining the battery pan and battery cables. This is rare vs. the common flooded cell post leaks. The last Optima's I had one was leaking around the positive cable connection, from up north and near the end of the (old numbers) prorated warranty. The newer ones tend to crack around the posts then leak and start corroding cables. I have seen over the past 15 years with higher temps (105 + degree summers) the Optima's are not worth the extra money as they don't last much longer than flooded cell. Typically shorting a cell or otherwise taking out the alternator with their failures. This is in contrast to the unkillable reputation 20 years ago on 1 cylinder air cooled diesel light sets that vibrated other batteries to death in cooler Colorado weather. (And they were made in Colorado at the time not the cheapened JC design made at the Mexico plant.)

This said overall the AGM's leak and spit less acid and don't corrode things up as bad as flooded cell batteries. Most people recommend Diehard Platinum P2 as the best out there at this time. Sadly they are not infallible. But if you want to go AGM this is they way to go - otherwise save the money and go with a conventional battery. Results with cheaper AGM's simply are not as good. There are worse than Optima's out there.

AC Delco batteries are cr@p and have been for the last 15+ years. They love to leak out of the positive post and eat cables and wire bundles on your new car. They are the first thing to get thrown away on brand new GM purchases, on the first day of ownership. I would recommend against an AC Delco AGM.

 

[Lmoore1624]

Thanks jdoremire .... yes, the temps get right up there(NM) in the summer, but not quite as bad as some parts of AZ and NV. Sounds like the ACDelco is out. $245 regular price(Sear's website price) for Diehards P2s (need 2ea) is a little far out for batteries! Guess I'll stick with Sam's / Costco brands just for ease of many locations.

 

[MarkEkberg]

In diagnosing a no start I found a dead or dying battery. I also see here that we charge above 15v? is this correct? If it is no battery out there can handle anything over 14.8 I believe. I wonder if this is why mine headed to greener pastures?

I looked at the sears ones listed here, but $250 for a battery is ridiculous.

Do OEM batteries handle higher voltage?

 

[p-Bar]

The OEM's must they seem to last quite a long time. I would think Battery manf. stay up with the changing times of higher charging voltages.

 

[Tuesdak]

The OEM's must they seem to last quite a long time. I would think Battery manf. stay up with the changing times of higher charging voltages.

AGM's like higher voltages for charging and will suck the current down when they are low on charge. It will push an alternator on the edge **Cough Cough GM CS130 firecrackers** over the edge and damage them. 13.65-15v Alt / charger and 15-15.6 Rapid charge. (Say if you leave the lights on for a few hours the alt works hard charging the AGM's back up. I have cooked a few off this way. Alt's aren't designed to charge highly discharged batteries.)

http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/support/battery-care/charging/

And 1 of the 2 last straggler Optima's I own went TU this past weekend at 2.5 years old. Won't take a charge on a rarely driven vehicle. (Dead even with the special recovery procedure AGM's have.) Same low life on a DD vehicle...

 

[GI Joe]

I got a pair of the Carquest AGM batts for my previous '05 Ram... They did great for the few months of winter before I sold the truck...

Not a great post on longevity, but they are an option... I believe it was ~$325 for the pair.
I plan to use them again, when my '03 needs replacements(came with one original and one replacement batt in there when I bought it with 185k, now up to 200k, I can't imagine they'll go much longer with the mismatch...

 

[DaveScott]

I am running the Delco professional 65-7yr. 7yr prorated

I need to replace my OEM batteries in my 2003. Delco Pro 65-7YR appears to be the closest to it. How long have you had yours?

 

[Wayne M.]

My 04.5 batts lasted almost 10 years and only gave a lazy crank once at the very end. I was watching for a sears sale- along with a thread going on here and I've been golden ever since.

 

[p-Bar]

I need to replace my OEM batteries in my 2003. Delco Pro 65-7YR appears to be the closest to it. How long have you had yours?

3 years next month . still cranking good . Live in So Cal so no heavy grid heater issue in the winter as that tears up batteries.