Dead in the driveway / Time for new batteries !

[FOXY005]

Went out last night about 6:30 PM to go to a meeting.
Truck and not been started in 6 days and all daytime temps. were above the 90* mark.
Got in the truck and noticed the Security System light was flashing.
I knew this could not be a good thing since my truck does not have a security system.
Put key in and turned on, all dash idiot lights started flashing on and off then went out.
Turned key and she was as dead as a block of wood, odometer would not even light up when I opened the door. I figured this is a tomorrow job and went back in the house.
Jump started it this morning and it fired right off. ABS and Brake light stayed on for a few minutes and then went off, everything else seems to be normal.
Soooo I figure on getting me some new AGM batteries to replace the 8 year old Interstate batteries currently in her ( I Know I Know shoulda, coulda, woulda. ) :-laf
Any Reliable Brand Recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Jim

 

[jgillott]

I am running regular Interstates in my '07 and I just bought one today for my 1/2 ton. Very happy with them. I thought about AGM this time, but just went back to a standard battery since I've had such good luck with them.

 

[MichaelOverfield]

I recently put Odessey AGMs in mine from Autozone.com.. but If I had to do it again, I'd get the Die Hard P2s from Sears, they are made by Odessey as well (within a few dollars in price), and slightly higher ratings than the ones I got (thought them to be the top of the line Odessey, but next to top of the line...). That said they do work well, and are plenty of power to crank the engine over. The OEM Batteries still had some life, in fact I kept one for my old Land Rover as a starting battery.. but it was not worth the risk to the starting system and electronics to work the OEMs until complete failure, so I replaced at the 7 year mark.

 

[The patriot]

I know you want agm's but if theyre cost prohibitive, I run group 31's in my truck.
I dont know if the battery tray is the same as my 2nd gen, but they just fit on a hot day.

 

[GrantP]

I've had very good results with Optima batteries over a lot of years. Amazon has them cheap.

 

[Crunch]

I've had very good results with Optima batteries over a lot of years. Amazon has them cheap.

I'm currently running Optima batteries as well, and have no complaints about them despite the bad reviews they have had here. But I'm curious about the Amazon route. How will you assert the warranty if they fail before the warranty expires? Will you have to ship them back for examination before new ones are approved...and sent? Or will you be able to take them to a brick and mortar dealer for warranty replacement? It would suck to be dead in the water while new batteries are awaiting approval and in transit.

 

[FOXY005]

The Interstates served me well but they were "dirty Batteries" they gassed and it seemed like I was always cleaning the corrosion off the terminals.
Even with no corrode washers on the posts and a lot of Di-electric grease they would still build up a lot of corrosion, and I do mean a LOT.
Strange the original OEM's that came in the truck from the factory never gave me any sign of corroding.
Thats why I decided to go with AGM's to hopefully avoid the same problem this time.

Thanks for the replies.
Jim

 

[GrantP]

I'm currently running Optima batteries as well, and have no complaints about them despite the bad reviews they have had here. But I'm curious about the Amazon route. How will you assert the warranty if they fail before the warranty expires? Will you have to ship them back for examination before new ones are approved...and sent? Or will you be able to take them to a brick and mortar dealer for warranty replacement? It would suck to be dead in the water while new batteries are awaiting approval and in transit.

I honestly don't know how the return policy works, I've never had one fail. Last time I looked at the local auto parts store the optimas were running around $225. If I buy two from amazon @ $150 and one fails...it's a wash anyway.

 

[seafish]

If you both want and can afford the very best in terms of longevity and reliabilty, go with the Oddessey AGM batteries...
Unfortunately AFICT, teh above poster is wqrong and Sears no longer carries the Diehard Platinum P2 which WAS a rebranded Oddessey AGM at a MUCH better price. That being said, the Oddssey AGM is avaialble at some savings from BatteriesPLUS, at least here in California.

Otherwise, I am extremely satisfied with ANY of the batteries manufactured by East Penn Industries here in the US.
One of their sub brands is Deka, which is oem battery supplier to CAT Equipment, which DOES in fact mean something about quality. ACT cant be having call back on their equipment just because the battery wont start it!! I have some Dekas in my old JD dozer that have been there for OVER 10 years and still start the monster every springtime WITHOUT being charged or maintained at all during the winter months (KNOCK WOOD!!! LOL)

In short, while many people may recommend Johnson control batteries because of the reasonable cost and ready accesability to replacementes from their local Cosco or Walmart, I prefer NOT to be stranded in the first place.

 

[seafish]

I recently put Odessey AGMs in mine from Autozone.com.. but If I had to do it again, I'd get the Die Hard P2s from Sears, they are made by Odessey as well (within a few dollars in price), and slightly higher ratings than the ones I got (thought them to be the top of the line Odessey, but next to top of the line...). .

FYI, and please DO prove me wrong, but pretty darn sure that Sears no longer carries the Diehard Platinum P2 .. for some reason they gave up on selling them in the last year or so.

 

[jomobco]

I'm on my third set of batteries in my 07 6.7. The second set was Odessey. They lasted 4 years or so and 80k ish. Consumer reports lists the Walmart premium as a good buy so third time around I went there. Happy so far and much less $ than my second set. Value still TBD.