Batteries?

[Gary - K7GLD]

Keeping a battery on a trickle charger when not in use truly increases battery life by maybe a couple years. I thought the battery tenders where the best but I really like my newer noco 5 amp the best. Thanks John for the heads up on this charger

Ditto here - I normally get at LEAST 10 years out of vehicle batteries, including the RV - I keep them maintained, watered, and well charged - been using NAPA 810 CCA batteries in the truck, and heavy duty NAPA deep cycle in the RV...

 

[SSage]

Also keeping them full of distilled water greatly helps. I just filled mine back up. Using a battery watering bottle makes it easy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/284432724658

Then put a four stage battery charger on occasionally and d0 a de-uslfate or maintenance charge. My Interstate Group 27 marine starting batteries have held up great. I used a Noco Genius 7 amp water proof model for topping up, but it didn't last that long. Using a Walmart 15 amp smart charger now, it actually works good and it has outlasted two NOCO chargers. Just not good for mounting under hood, but it does a good job for $62: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Everstar...50-Amp-Patented-Engine-Start-BC50BE/146599600

I like having the 15 amp, much quicker. It reduces the rate of charge as the battery reaches 100%. Its set up for Flooded batteries only though, 14.8 volt bulk rate. Not sure that 14.8 vs 14.5 matters though. I'm probably going to ProMarine on board chargers next, my NOCO chargers aren't lasting that long, around 3 years max.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Ditto here - I normally get at LEAST 10 years out of vehicle batteries, including the RV - I keep them maintained, watered, and well charged - been using NAPA 810 CCA batteries in the truck, and heavy duty NAPA deep cycle in the RV...

Most likely made by East Penn.

 

[Chief USA]

Has anyone used the Odyssey 34-PC1500T? If so, are they worth the crazy high price?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Odyssey-34-PC1500T-Automotive-Battery/178602003

My current Walmart Everstart Maxx batteries are dated 8/12. They are pushing 11 years old and they STILL start the engine just fine but I keep a Deltran Battery Tender on the truck anytime I am not using it. The volt meter indicates pretty low voltage around 10+- volts immediately after start even when the grid heaters are not functioning. I suspect this may be contributing to the weird electrical gremlins affecting my truck. After a considerable amount of run time, the volt meter indicates a steady 14-15 volts.

https://www.batterytender.com/plus

Even the Walmart Everstart Maxx batteries are getting crazy high from the last time I purchased batteries, almost double what I paid for the current batteries.

 

[bcbender]

yeah. I've had good luck with the Walmart Everstart batteries... would be the only other place Id get one other than Costco.. FWIW everything has gone up considerably I just paid 100$ at Costco to replace my 12y old battery that was in my Chevelle when it decided to die... But it was a 100mo Kirkland so I got my money's worth.

 

[AH64ID]

Has anyone used the Odyssey 34-PC1500T? If so, are they worth the crazy high price?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Odyssey-34-PC1500T-Automotive-Battery/178602003

I ran the Group 65 version of that battery in the Sears case and was not impressed. The P2’s from Sears earned a great reputation in the early 2000’s, but by the time I bought mine in 2010 they had slipped in quality. They cranked very fast for 12 months but then started to slip. They would still start the truck at under 4 years but the amp requirement was so low that they wore my alternator out in short order.

I don’t know if quality has come back to that series or not, but the price sure has gone up.

I went with Costco batteries in the 05, and everything else I own. I’m getting better performance on average, and if not their warranty program is pretty simple.

In general battery quality has gone down the last 15-20 years.

Sears quit selling the P2 from Odyssey. I was told due to quality issues, but that’s from a Sears sales rep and not from Odyssey. He did say they did a lot more warranty replacements on that battery than other models thou.

My current Walmart Everstart Maxx batteries are dated 8/12. They are pushing 11 years old and they STILL start the engine just fine but I keep a Deltran Battery Tender on the truck anytime I am not using it. The volt meter indicates pretty low voltage around 10+- volts immediately after start even when the grid heaters are not functioning. I suspect this may be contributing to the weird electrical gremlins affecting my truck. After a considerable amount of run time, the volt meter indicates a steady 14-15 volts.

https://www.batterytender.com/plus

I would change your batteries ASAP or you’ll likely end up rebuilding the alternator pretty quick, if it doesn’t need it already.

What happens when the batteries need that much juice is the brushes wear out much faster from the alternator putting put max amperage. The alternator works fine and then it doesn’t.

How long have you been getting low voltage on startup?

I would also consider a different trickle charger if it’s constantly plugged in. That model does drop the voltage for a float, but doesn’t ever stop charging. That will have a negative effect on battery life. While you have had yours 11 years they are toast, and probably have been a while. The trickle charge is masking that some, but the 10V is a dead giveaway.

I like the NOCO Genuius chargers. When the battery hits 100% they stop charging until the battery falls below 100%. This style of charging is much better for battery longevity.

I have the Genius 5, but the 2 amp would work well too.

https://no.co/genius5

 

[Regcabguy]

Costco's are Interstates. If they die or get tired you can to to the return line and if under warranty they'll replace them.
No checking the charging system or anything.
I met a Powerstroke guy who burns them up every two years with his glowplugs and mostly in town driving as he's a contractor.

 

[Chief USA]

Thanks AH64ID! Turns out the Group 65 Everstart Maxx batteries are much cheaper and 850 CCA. I think I selected the incorrect vehicle set up. I went back and changed it and the Group 65 batteries were the recommended battery. I thought something was strange about the Group 27 battery. It has been so long since I purchased batteries for this truck.

 

[LorenStrodtman]

I have the Genius 5, but the 2 amp would work well too.

I have a 2 amp on my TDI, and also the 2001 Dodge; probably should've put a 5 amp on it due to much bigger batteries and the rodent repeller underhood making noise and flashing lights (LEDs). I do leave it plugged in all the time.

 

[Turbo Terry]

I have two altenators on my new truck. Order man said it would be very wise to have two ? 440 amp total I think. Is this true

 

[fest3er]

I have two altenators on my new truck. Order man said it would be very wise to have two ? 440 amp total I think. Is this true

It can be wise. The grid heaters suck down 200A. The old 136A alternator wasn't nearly enough. Even a 220A alternator can be marginal, especially if you have frequent starts and shutdowns and don't move the truck over 18MPH.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

I realize the OP started this thread about a year ago, however came in to say my current Group 31 Yellow Top Optima batteries passed th e12 year mark in december and still going. I did run them way down once about a year ago and thought that was end of the line. Went and priced batteries and then bought a big NOCO jump battery and kept on, hasn't needed jumped since. Batteries have become stupid expensive so packing the jump starter seemed the least painful course of action AND I have a nice jump pack if I need it

SHG

 

[LorenStrodtman]

The old 136A alternator wasn't nearly enough.

348k miles on what I assume was the original 136 Amp alternator proves it IS enough amperage. The grid heaters may draw 200 Amps and the starter hundreds more, but only for a short amount of time. Your alternator is designed to recharge the battery steadily over a longer period of time. Now, if your truck is decked out with all sorts of electrical gizmos raising the current draw, then clearly more amperage may needed, or perhaps just more amperage at a lower alternator speed.

especially if you have frequent starts and shutdowns and don't move the truck over 18MPH

Don't do that.