2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Batteries?

[brianMo]

When out this morning and my batteries were dead. Have not used it in about a week. I have notice lately that it seems a bit slower cranking. It looks like I am going to need to replace them. I have Die Hards in it now. I am just not impressed with these. I have seem many premature failures. Any suggestions on battery replacements, and price? How many CCA do I need for the duel battery combo? I have had the truck 2 years, and I thought they were new when I purchased it. If so... maybe I will get a little prorated warranty. Also... they have been charging according to my ampmeter.



Brian

 

[dodge cummins]

go with the optima red tops with cold cranking of 800 a piece. they are about 110 a piece at auto zone. make sure you get the 800 because the red tops come in 700 cold cranking also.

 

[outlawram]

I still have the original ones in my 1999. I take care of them and clean the connections and it seemed to charge and crank fine all winter. Even with my heater grid, fuel pump, air horn pump all running when starting. I guess I beter nock on wood. I cant believe they lasted 5 years so far. I second the red tops, I have heard much good praise on here about them.

 

[tractorface]

I do not remember what the CCA and reserve requirements were. I did do a lot of research before settling on my current batteries. The optimas do not meet the reserve specification for our truck. After much research I decided to buy the batteries at Pep Boys. The batteries exceeded my CCA requirement as well as my reserve requirement and fit nicely into the OEM space as well as my pocket book. The Nice thing about Optimas is there is no corrosion due to hydrogen gas vapors as in standard lead acid batteries. My solution was to use a spray on terminal protector which works very well. Totally eliminates the corrosion. Downside is that it never dries and can get you dirty if leaned on. May not work for guys with show quality engine bays.

Many use Optimas and are happy, I just choose not to pay the high price for batteries that do no meet specifications. Be careful as to the claims of some of the high end specialty batteries with huge capacities and ultra long life claims. Those 10 years plus claims go way down when under hood heat is factored into the equation. Just look at thier heat vs. longevity curves and you will see. Now if your plan is to mount them in a seperate box under the truck you may actually get the 10 years out of them. In the end $100. 00 for two batteries that will last 4-5 years was the best deal for me. There are many opinions on this so do your research.

 

[tractorface]

some information links

http://www.batteryweb.com/faqbw.cfm



http://uuhome.de/william.darden/batbrand.htm



http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/

 

[ntillm01]

I had to replace mine when the temps dropped below 20F this winter. I had noticed a slightly slower cranking that Fall, and the voltmeter showed plenty of charging going on. They were 4 1/2 years old (OEM). After I replaced them, the originals sat in the garage for a week. One still had 12. 6 (Full charge) and the other was at 11. 5 telling me a cell had gone bad and was dragging down the other cells (and second battery when installed in the truck).



Being a factory-original guy, I went with the Mopar service parts batteries. 750 CCA (service manual recommended spec) and $69 a piece. That was my choice and I am happy with it. Cranking was noticably stronger even down to 1 F overnight cold start.

 

[B.G. Smith]

I replaced mine about 18 month ago, got the big ol yellow batteries at the local department store, they have worked fine so far. bg

 

[Grizzly]

I replaced the batteries on my last truck, 95 Dodge/Cummins, dually with Costco, 750 CCA, $54. 00 each, 3 year free replacement, 84 month prorated. Even if they are not that good, how can you go wrong. My original batteries were 750 CCA Mopar and only lasted 37 months. Grizzly

 

[CMorrow]

Just go to Sears and get Die Hards. Good warranty and they load check and diagnose your charging system no quetions asked if any problem crops up. They pro-rate your batterys once there out of the direct replacement period.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

I'd go with Optima's ...

 

[BTighe]

dont go red tops. they work ok but arent as good as when i got them 2 months ago. thats kinda quick for 230buck worth of batteries. also ive heard that once the reds are drained you might as well toss em. if i could do it again i would go blue tops. deep cylce and not as much as the yellows.

 

[rkressg]

Go to your local NAPA and get the 1175 CCA Truck batteries. You will have to modify your battery box a little to make them fit, but they are well worth it. No matter how cold it is, they spin the starter like nothing. Plus, they only cost around $70 a piece, so unlike the Optimas, when these go bad they don't hurt as bad.

I will have to look at my truck to get the part number.

 

[brianMo]

For some reason I thought I had die-hards. I hooked my charger up last night and found that they are wal-mart's brand (900cca) . These are covered under a replacement in under 3 years. I wonder if I need the receipt. I am the second owner. Also they will probably only replace one. It is doubtful both are bad. I hate to only replace one.



My batteries did take a charge last night. Would having an charger plug in to the dc receptacle cause these to go dead? I had a floodlight plug in the charger. I would think that once the batteries were charged in the light that it would not pull any more current. They only thing I could think of that could have drained the batteries.



They have been acting weak lately though. I need to go further on replacing.



Brian

 

[J Shocik]

Brian, as a former employee of Sears Auto Center, I know the Die Hards and Wal-Mart batteries are made by the same company. The big difference being the cost & warranty. Most everyone doesn't think of Wal-Mart for their auto battery needs. Just thought you'd like some more information about this subject.



Now, let's see if this subject gets as "lively" as the synthetic oil threads!! :-laf John

 

[OTRPU]

Off'n'on Johnson Controls has had the Sears Die Hard contract, sometimes just the Gold series. Have no information if they make Wally's batts or not, but if I were a bettin man. . . I use Wally everything, just can't beat um when on the road. I ain't a got time to send crap back or take stuff back. I have better luck with Wally World throw away stuff and keep the receipt. Take it to any Wally World and get another one. Just what the world needs, a Walmart on every corner, then that's all everyone could afford to buy cause nobody'd make nuff money to afford anything else. JMHO



Cheers,

Steve J



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[EBottema]

If you get Die-Hard batteries, they will really die hard. Walmart batteries are junk too. Autolite and all those other autozone brands are junk. Stick with optimas. They will not leak like the other batteries and are much higher quality. You get what you pay for in a battery.

 

[todt061458]

I installed the interstate brand of battery for trucks (semi's) works great. They make the red,yellow,blue top optima battery and the factory rep told me I would be happier with a regular battery that fit the battery tray perfect no loose battery no rigging for a proper fit just the right battery for the right job. I also use the optima deep cycle battery mounted in a plastic battery box for my deep cycle needs. Just a thought as I was at the truck show this weekend and just about all the reps thought this was sound advise. Good luck And I thought sears would warrenty the battery's for you free of charge I thought that was the whole idea behind buying at sears in the firrst place. never have to buy another battery again. Tod

 

[klaybus]

I was thinking the same...

Interstate batterys! Like $80 each. I have had good luck with my 6-volt golf carts in my RV... . Anyone had any experience with the 12 volt bateries they make for our trucks? Heres a link.



http://www.ibsa.com/estore/view_pro...mscssid=MENVLPDTFQ0X8P7R771XQTPULVXU9L0C&js=1



Clay

 

[HeavyHauler]

The optimas do not meet the reserve specification for our truck.

This is partially correct. There is only 1 Optima model that meets/exceeds all of the specs from the OEM battery. It is the D31A. The Group 31 batteries are larger than the traditional Optimas but will fit in the stock box with no modification. They come in the Commercial Yellow-Top and the Marine Blue-Top.



I just installed two D31A yellow-tops last weekend. I'm very happy with them. They are 900 CCA and have more reserve capacity than the OEM batteries.



Advance Auto Parts had the best price on them.

 

[EricBu12]

Got 2 of the odessey batteries sold by Mr. Bobs... . They are expensive and have alot of power... I was able to run on 1 battery, even in freezing weather for 1. 5 year, git another one because of the grid heater drain when starting... . Have 2 of them now. . the old odessey is still working fine and should last about 5-7 years... .



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