2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission batteries went bad!!??

[tobaccogrower]

my truck has 72,000 miles on it!

it started getting cold here in connecticut and my truck was getting harder and harder to start!(cranks slow) i popped (ripped) the top's off the batteries and they were half full of fluid. i topped them off and starting got a little easier. when running i have 14. 4 volts at bolth batteries and shut off,12. 3volts. is it normal for the batteries to only last 4 years and 72,000 miles. i bit the bullett and put in two red top's when i go to vermont the temp gets in the -10's and i know my truck wouldn't even try to start with the old batteries!... . james

 

[Steve Campbell]

72,000 miles.....

is not out of reason. It does sound low, but if you have a lot of accessories, short trips, start a lot in the cold, etc... ... . you may be at the mid point of failure for those conditions.



The grid heaters take quite a toll on the batteries. Especially where you live.



Email wiercummin..... he has a fix to stop those grid heaters from cycling so much. Cannonball (practical solutions) also has a more deluxe fix for the same "problem".

 

[DiTrani]

Mine are only a year old and they are already getting iffy on cold mornings. I run a lot of short trips. I need to get that grid heater saver thing...



My experience is that "Maintenance Free" batteries are simply batteries that die before they should since you can't maintain them.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by RAMHEAD3437



. i bit the bullett and put in two red top's when i go to vermont the temp gets in the -10's and i know my truck wouldn't even try to start with the old batteries!... . james

James, I would say you solved that problem. You got some real good batteries now

 

[redram]

2 1/2 - 3 years is all that virtually any car battery survives down here in the humidity and heat of south Texas.

If you got 4 years starting the Cummins, you are doing well.



I usually get the Interstate brand and have found these to be superior to any of the gell type available from the mass marketers.



I know alot of guys like the Optimas but they are on the high end for most folks.

 

[SOOT]

I have less than 2 years on my interstate batteries and they are already getting weak:{ I guess it's time for the optimas.

 

[roadranger]

I'd like to check the fluid level in my '01--

how do you get the caps off without breaking the top of the case??

 

[Whitmore]

Actually its the hot summer heat that weakens a battery but during the cold cranking of winter is when it shows up as needeing replaced.



The OEM batteries are a sealed unit so access to fill them is not easy, I personally would never do it because you then take a chance on battery acid getting on everything, if they go bad just do the optimas and dont mess with the old ones. JMO



cheers, Kevin

 

[tobaccogrower]

matiance free.....leave them alone

yeah,it's real hard to BREAK the tops off those batteries!!

i did it and added water. two weeks later fluid was leaking out of the top's and my connections were starting to corrode! leave them alone and buy new ones..... james

 

[Matt42]

Originally posted by RAMHEAD3437

my truck has 72,000 miles on it!

it started getting cold here in connecticut and my truck was getting harder and harder to start!(cranks slow) i popped (ripped) the top's off the batteries and they were half full of fluid. i topped them off and starting got a little easier. when running i have 14. 4 volts at bolth batteries and shut off,12. 3volts. is it normal for the batteries to only last 4 years and 72,000 miles. i bit the bullett and put in two red top's when i go to vermont the temp gets in the -10's and i know my truck wouldn't even try to start with the old batteries!... . james

You got four years out of your batteries? I am jealous! Here 2 years for sealed lead-acid batteries is good. Three years for batteries you can add water to is good. Beyond that, it's amazing.



I got 18 months out of my OEM sealed batteries. I replaced them with Optima red tops, and those went four years. Actually, I still have them Even though they aren't intended for that use, and even though they are old, they are the best RV batteries I've ever used in my travel trailer. (I put the new red tops in the truck and moved the old red tops to the trailer. )



In central Arizona, police, ambulance, and fire vehicles almost always use Optima batteries. They actually work. The regular kind will work fine one moment, and not at all the next. For me, the Optimas are worth the money when a back-country extrication would cost a minimum of $800.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Ramhead......

You might consider having a set of extra starter contacts on hand and one of these days taking a looking inside. Low voltage to the contacts "burns" them quicker than "good" voltage. Now with the new batteries and bad contacts, the new batteries may not last as long as you hope, along with the starter.

 

[grtescpa]

Batteries

Good maintence of your batteries helps the life. Clean the terminals every 6 months and dont forget the other end of the cables. You can get corrosion there too. My batteries lasted about 4 years.

 

[RobbyRam]

My batteries lasted 75K. I'm actually very satisfied. One day they worked, and the next day my truck didn't start.

Went to Sears and bought two 'Die Hards' from Sears and off I went with a 5 year guarantee.

Bob in Sacto.

 

[MLee]

batteries

My original batteries have made 71/2 yrs and after posting this i'll probably have to look for new ones, but was wondering the following? i know that alot of discussion has taken place about batteries, and optiamas are the choice of many, but there warranty is three years free and what ever on pro rate- $130. 00 ea, what about Sears north(type) wt51#? $80. 00 ea 3 years free 100 mo. pro rate, Walmart, ever start maxx $60. 00 ea 3 year free, 108 mo. pro rate. both the Sears and Walmart are wet cells, maintenance free. i don't want to start a shooting match, whats your opinion?? don't have a acid problem and can deal with it.



Marv.



ps. forgot to mention the sears has 900 CCa and walmart has 1000 CCa's. @ 32*

 

[athompson]

Just my opinion

My cars get the cheapest battery I can get from Walmart. My trucks get Optimas. My cars don't go anywhere that AAA can't get to, my trucks do.



Driving off road is tough on batteries. I put an Optima in my last truck when the OE batteries started leaking. I put an Optima in my Sami before I ever took it off road.



If you don't drive off-road, or where AAA can't get to you, I see no reason to spend a lot of money on batteries. I get 3 years out of any battery I get, whether the are 24 month batteries or 72 month batteries.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: batteries

Originally posted by MLee



don't have a acid problem and can deal with it.



Marv.



ps. forgot to mention the sears has 900 CCa and walmart has 1000 CCa's. @ 32*

If your not taking your truck off road then these both sound like they would work great. I have alway known when a battery was going out on a vehicle I have owned and have never been stranded. If the acid is not a concern then both are good choices. Personally I like Interstate batteries or Optima and will replace with one of them.