Batteries

[Pokey]

I have a 2005 3500 that still has it's original batteries. They still do the job, but it's got to be near time to replace them. I used to use Optimas but am hearing bad stories about them. Any ideas on whats worthwhile , other then $300 Odysees?

 

[seafish]

Anything made by Deka or their parent comapny East Penn is still good.

They are still oem battery supplier to CAT equipment.

http://www.dekabatteries.com.au

 

[Tuesdak]

Optimas used to be good when they were made in Colorado, USA. When Jonson Controls bought them out and moved the plant to Mexico the quality that made their reputation was left behind. This includes internal materials, pure lead, etc. They are no longer worth the price of admission. They crack, leak, and drop dead at nearly the same rate as the cheaper flooded batteries. Spill-proof does NOT mean leak-proof.

Being as you got a decade from your batteries you must be in a colder or mild climate. You may opt to if it ain't broke don't fix it. Otherwise stick to the same batteries that just gave you a decade of service. You have no reason given to want better.

FWIW out here in the 120 degree heat batteries maybe make 2 years and you are asking for a failure on the 3rd year IF they make it into the 3rd year. AGM's swell and crack the cases from high temp induced pressure. A select few AGM's have steel reinforced cases to handle that.

 

[p-Bar]

I'm running the Delcos

 

[jgillott]

I'm happy with the Interstates I installed in mine so far.

 

[jwduke]

I'm happy with the Interstates I installed in mine so far.

X2, same here for Interstate's

 

[GrantP]

I've been using Optimas for at least 10 years and never had any problems. It's normally the last battery I ever have to install as they tend to outlast my desire to keep the vehicle, the longest was 10 years and still going strong (and that's in Phoenix heat). I only have 3 years on the optima batteries in my 06, I replaced the OEM batteries with them prior to any failure.

 

[Ozymandias]

I have also only good results with the optimas in my vehicles.
Sure they had some problems when they changed production to mexico, but they are solved a long time ago.

Don't forget, our trucks are made in mexico too.

 

[Mingoglia]

I've used Optimas for years, and they did turn to crap when they initially moved to Mexico. I then moved to Odyssey. I rolled over with it and the hood shorted out on it and it caught fire and got battery acid all over me, then switched back to Optima. It appears Optima has solved their control problem they had in Mexico. The last 3 I bought have been solid. Oh, and I use them in offroad applications which is why I got myself into a situation where I rolled over on my battery. This pic was from the weekend before last.

 

[Crunch]

I've used Optimas for years, and they did turn to crap when they initially moved to Mexico. I then moved to Odyssey. I rolled over with it and the hood shorted out on it and it caught fire and got battery acid all over me, then switched back to Optima.

Add me to the Optima group. I replaced my OEM batteries with a new set of OEM batteries in November of 2011. They lasted until January of 2015, and I replaced them with Optimas because they were cheaper than the OEM's this time around, and I had heard good things about them. Haven't had a problem since then, but I'm planning on doing a preemptive replacement of the crossover cable this summer, or at least before it gets cold. And yes, Mingoglia, I'd definitely say you need a good, sealed battery when you go rock crawling. I knew a mechanic who connected jumper cables to a battery and it exploded, getting acid on him, too. Messed him up for a few months.

 

[Tuesdak]

I have seen the good side, but, if you can't take the heat GTFO of my kitchen! The good side is when we totaled the 1993 and blew the top off one Optima the battery still (as a pair) started the engine a week later in the yard to verify the engine was ok. No acid bath from shattered flooded battery. It slowly dried out and lost voltage. The Optima that came with the truck was 6 years old from Utah and was "leaking". It corroded a new battery cable and the battery tray while testing good. If the flooded battery gets hurt and shorted during a wreck dumping it's acid is kinda of a safety feature as that stops it's power generation.

Mexico, China, whatever - The company bean counters control the quality and the cheapness of the product. Optima is no longer the legend the Made In Colorado batteries were. Rather they are cheapened out by Jonson Controls and disappoint me to this day over what they used to be.

You ever try and get warranty on an Optima Battery? Joe Blow's hot dog stand sells Optima batteries as they are as common as dirt. Yet the number is different between say Interstate Optima and chain part store Optima. Internet Optima can be different or either of the two part numbers. Guess what they won't warranty a part number they don't carry. No one is home at Jonson Controls who could approve the warranty exchange on the typical weekend you find yourself with a dead Optima in the middle of nowhere. Yet you are surrounded by Optima batteries in open stores - just no way to get them warrantied. Oh yeah you have to have a original receipt as the date on the battery is no good to them for warranty. You carry all this paperwork with you all the time right? So I could not get warranty on the leaking 5 year old battery even though it had some prorated warranty left. No one at JC would help with that. And this PIA to get warranty just makes dead Optima's that much worse to have. I have returned all the other Optima's I can (used to have 8 total over all rides) and the last pair is living their lives out in 'easy' gas engine applications. Cept one still dies and gets exchanged as the truck sits for weeks and the battery won't recover even with the special charging procedure.

Here is the last crack and leak Optima batteries from the last 5 years. Had 3 sets do this. Both posts have cracks and the 'dark' crack is leaking acid. They don't cover corroded battery cables BTW.

 

[Tuesdak]

Deka AGM batteries...
I did try 2 sets of the relabeled O'reilly Deka AGM batteries. I found out later these were the ones that exceptionally flunked Consumer Reports heat test. First battery to make me wet my paints while testing them. Watched the voltage be good then suddenly quickly drop on the second test - then recover under load. Fear of a battery exploding is legit. Found the slow crank problem... Yes I am reaching for AGM for extreme conditions and they are not living up to the challenge marketing claims they can.

Pics of how bad the batteries swelled up in 3 months in Arizona Summer heat. Installed 7/30/14 removed 10/17/14 literally a new short battery life record for me.

 

[Buffalo]

JDoremire,
I believe you live in the Phoenix area, as do I. I bought 2 Deka AGM batteries (Blems) back in Aug 2011 and still have them in my '03, 3500 and they have been working great. I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems with yours. My buddy with a Duramax found a deal on these and we both bought 2, each, for our trucks and they have been flawless, so far. Maybe I should try to start my truck before I go any further!!! I told my buddy about your problems (with pictures to back up your comments) and he was surprised. He just checked his batteries and they aren't bulging on the side like yours are and, as far as I can tell, mine aren't either. I have a jacket around my battery's sides and I can't really see any bulges. They may be there and hidden by the jacket.
With the problems you had with the Deka's, did you buy another AGM battery brand to replace the Deka's? If so, have you been happy with the purchase &, if you don't mind, what brand did you go with? Could you tell me about the Consumer's Report (Research) article. I'm not familiar with it and neither is my buddy. Thank you, in advance.
Buffalo

 

[Motorhead]

I have the Sears Platinum AGM batteries and at 3 years old, these batteries crank the engine as fast as when new and faster than ever with flooded batteries.

 

[seafish]

I have the Sears Platinum AGM batteries and at 3 years old, these batteries crank the engine as fast as when new and faster than ever with flooded batteries.

I also have those in my truck and I have to agree that it is an EXCELLENT battery...unfortunately it is my understanding that Sears no longer carries the AGM battery made by Oddyssey and rebadged as the Diehard Platinum P2. I am NOT sure what that means for those of us who have them and might need warranty replacment, though it is such a great battery I doubt that it wil need replacement befoer its time. (knock wood LOL)

 

[Motorhead]

seafish, I was wondering that when I tried to look them up. I am still using 2 Optimas that I bought in 2005 for my 2nd gen truck. I pulled them when I sold the truck and used them for various things. Both now reside in stand by generators, one generator runs my home in power outages.