2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission batteries

[SLangone]

Interesting I will have to start listening harder (thats what she said) anyways the motor is already load as it is.

 

[kenny61]

When you all start your trucks up. Does it take 8 or so secs for it to turn over. I feel that when I start the truck it seems to take longer then it would for a gas engine. But at work the diesel trucks I drive it seems to be along the same lines. I think the manual says never engage the starter for over 30 secs. Thanks for feedback.

about 1. 5 -2 seconds till she lights

 

[Skydiver]

I had optima red tops from 2004-2009. They did fine until I killed them. From what I have read and heard from auto parts stores the optima warranty is only 3 years. Why would anyone spend that kind of money for such a short warranty.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/_media/documents/Optima_Warranty.pdf
and
Optima Product Support : Warranty Info
Now when I buy a battery I set my self up for an easy warranty exchange if needed. Meaning I buy from a national dealer. Autozone has been open when I needed them.
This cheap smart charger has nearly paid for itself.
BatteryMINDer 12 Volt 2-4-8 Amp

 

[JMcCoy]

Optimas are sold at Autozone. They also sell brake pads for $20. 00 that come with a lifetime warranty. I wouldn't buy them though. Optimas are designed for high vibration high performance applications. Most HP parts only come with a manufacture defect warranty (60 seconds or 60 feet). I assume they figure after three years of getting beat around, if they fail, you did pretty good. Though people have failiers, they are few and far between. I have 8 yrs on one and around 5 yrs on the other. I have burned through Everlast marine batteries on my bass boat. They always seem to go bad near a Walmart so I can warranty them, but I don't want to go through the hassle. I would be glad to get 3 years out of a marine battery. Next time I will try Optimas. Just my opinion.

 

[Superglide]

I have exactly six years on my OEM's but am looking to replace them for peace of mind. I stumbled onto the fact that Kal-Tire had taken over the Sears Diehard line of batteries (in Canada) so I'll get my Platinums there.

 

[RADdodge]

I have yellow top Optimas. I replaced the OEM Batteries within a month or so of buying the truck so I guess I've had them a little over 10 years. My alarm system (plus the intake heaters) have worn the batteries down (the truck sits a lot) a number of times. The only down side was that the batteries were a smaller size than the originals and so lower capacity. After 10 years, I have no room to complain!

 

[THoltz]

I have a set of Mopar batteries, I replaced my sealed/maintenance free OEM Mopar's a couple of years ago. Shame on me but I assumed the dealer (Avondale Dodge) would replace them with the same type. I discovered they were not sealed some months later when the tops had a fair amount of acid and the terminals had some corrosion. They looked the same and I did not notice. Kind of ****** me off. Anyhow, they start the engine fine, I would like to have a set of sealed maintenance free batteries that do not make a mess of the terminals and battery top. Just removed and cleaned them up today, they need it twice a year.

 

[krtcummins]

My batteries have been in the truck since I bought it new November, 2000. The truck was manufactured October, 2000. I keep my engine compartment super clean, as I do the batteries. I'm amazed they have lasted this long. I guess I should not talk about them or they will go bad. Anyone else had theirs go this long??? Totally amazing to me! I've never seen batteries go this long in a vehicle. Maybe it's because there are two splitting the starter load.

 

[gcorron]

I've been running the Optima red top for about 4 years. The weather in Virginia gets cold for short periods and I've been running a single battery all that time, no problems at all. I also plug my truck in most nights though, could make a difference.



I have normally recommended Interstate Batteries when I was working on Gens, they were hands down THE most trouble free wet cells going, I expect they still are.



If I were not running the red top in my truck, it would be Interstates, and yup, I'm aware they are a bit pricey.



Just my . 02!

 

[Jeff Knight]

THoltz, I was having an issue with my drivers side battery negative terminal corroding. They were the originals at 7 yrs so I thought it was on its last leg. I got two new Dekas for the truck. A while after I had the new ones in the drivers battery started doing the same thing. I cleaned all the grounds that are attached to that battery. My troubles disappeared. Your might want to try that to see if it helps... Jeff

 

[seafish]

My batteries have been in the truck since I bought it new November, 2000. The truck was manufactured October, 2000. I keep my engine compartment super clean, as I do the batteries. I'm amazed they have lasted this long. I guess I should not talk about them or they will go bad. Anyone else had theirs go this long??? Totally amazing to me! I've never seen batteries go this long in a vehicle. Maybe it's because there are two splitting the starter load.

Here is the link to check out and post for batteries lasting... it's a fun read... it really does seem as if many of our trucks OEM batteries last a long, LONG time.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-long-have-your-factory-batteries-lasted.html

 

[THoltz]

Cleaning the grounds sounds like a good idea. I think I will give it a shot. Good suggestion, thanks Jeff.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

A previous poster mentioned Autozone Duralast battery warranty - warranty on the red ones is 2 years free, 5 years prorated; gold ones are 3 free, 5 prorated. If replaced free, the warranty term is the remaining term on your original purchase. If you get a prorated battery, you get the full new warranty term, and you pay based on the original price on the battery, not the current price. That may be a $30 difference in your favor! If an employee tells you different, ask for the manager.



As a former AZ employee, I can say I probably sold a thousand batteries and replaced 200 under warranty. (just guessing!) Is that good performance? I don't know, but the warranty replacement is no questions asked, no hassle. If you have a wierd problem with your truck (like killing 3 batteries in a year while the charging system tests good), well, 3 replacements is about all you'll get before they tell you to get your junk diagnosed by a profesional. But they're probably right and that's not a bad deal overall.



Another warranty note: if you buy an AZ battery, your info is stored by phone number and name in their computer system, accessible from any store anywhere. You don't need a receipt. If you change phone numbers, drop by a store and have them change the records on your previous pruchases before you forget the old number!



Warranty is not transferrable. If you buy a truck with batteries under warranty, ask the seller for the phone number he uses for his warranty, and note that with his name. Write it on the batteries with a sharpie. If they go bad, pretend you're him and you'll get his warranty. Obviously the name on your credit card won't match his; if anyone notices, just tell them it's your friend's truck and you're fixing it for him.



Have you ever bought a battery and not turned in a core? That info is all in the computer too. Want beer money? Find a junk battery and turn it in for your 5-year-old core charge refund! I've taken lawnmower battery cores on car batteries. As long as there's something to put the barcode sticker on, it doesn't matter. YMMV, but ask for a manager if you don't get what you want.



My truck came with fresh Interstates, and so did my golf cart, but when replacement time comes, I'll probably shop at Autozone... As I said, I am a FORMER employee and not a stockholder. I get no benefit from anything I just wrote. It's a sucky place to work, but not a bad place to buy parts.



I saw an informative article on charging Optima batteries. I don't have a link to it right now, but if your Optima is dead and won't take a charge, hook your charger to a regular battery, then run jumper cables from the regular battery to your Optima. Apparently battery chargers often can't "see" a dead Optima and won't turn on!



HTH a little.



kevin

 

[jeepit]

My batteries have been in the truck since I bought it new November, 2000. The truck was manufactured October, 2000. I keep my engine compartment super clean, as I do the batteries. I'm amazed they have lasted this long. I guess I should not talk about them or they will go bad. Anyone else had theirs go this long??? Totally amazing to me! I've never seen batteries go this long in a vehicle. Maybe it's because there are two splitting the starter load.

I am on my originals too. 94,000 miles.

 

[diesel DOG]

I doubt all the batteries are the same because they are made by one manufacturer. They can use different specs for different price ranges as required by the buyer. I have been using Sears and have no problem returning them if there is a problem. I have about 15 batteries in different vehicles, heavy equipment, and a boat. All Sears Gold or Platinum in the boat.

 

[Matt42]

Dekka or Odyssey, No Optimas Any More

Recycled lead or newly mined lead should be equal if treated properly. It's the refining process that matters. Newly mined lead is by no means pure, it has to have the natural impurities taken out. (I had to say that, being a mining geologist, y'see. )



I used to use only Optima batteries and had great success and long life with them back then. In Arizona, a normal lead-acid battery lasts 18 to 24 months. That's regardless if it has a 36 month or a 72 month warranty. That's just the way it is. I would routinely get 5 years out of the Optima red tops on my truck, and then I'd put them on my travel trailer tongue and abuse them as deep cycle batteries for another three. I'll never buy another Optima.



Optima moved their manufacturing from Colorado to Mexico in about 2006. In my opinion, their quality just went to heck. Over at the Chrysler minivan forum, this subject got discussed in depth, even to the point of someone from Johnson Controls joining up and trying to do damage control with some fast talking, in my opinion, and some less-than-useful statistics, also in my opinion. It's a five-screen thread, and things really heat up towards the end of the second screen and get to be fun on the third screen. It seems that a lot of corporations go into production in third world countries expecting that the workforce will be just as good as it is here. Yet the nice man from Johnson Controls told the minivan people that they moved their manufacturing to Mexico to improve the product.



Judge for yourselves. The thread is here: OPTIMA Batteries - Alternatives, Whatdya think?



If you live where lead-acid batteries last eight years, it really won't matter. Here in Arizona, for the places I go, it's life and death for me.

 

[ceastmen]

Originals

I have my original batteries still, they seem fine.

I have never had any battery last as long as these, having said that I'm probably jinxing myself.

Chuck

 

[DMcLeod]

Ok, I'll jinx myself too. Build date April 00. 170,000 mi. Original Chrysler batteries.

I take them out once or twice a year and clean them up along with terminals.

I use a battery MINDer maintainer in winter.

I use an Espar preheater regularly (which can run them down a little).

I live in Fairbanks where -50F is not uncommon, and hard on batteries.

I'll probably replace them with optimas one of these days... .

enjoyed reading this thread

 

[Tractorat]

I think I've heard that the worst thing for batteries is the HOT climate. You just find out about it when winter comes.

 

[MRoberts]

Just replaced my stock batteries after eight years and 140K on them. I considered going with Oddessys, but spending over $500. for batteries seemed silly! Went with Interstates based on lots of recommendations and because I was at DDP and they sold them, great price too!