How long are your OE batteries lasting?

[tlippy]

Truck just turned three years. On other vehicles I could count on the OE batteries giving five years service. Just wondering if that's about the useful life for our batteries?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I replaced the batteries in my June build 98 about 2 months ago so not much more than 3 years.

 

[Joe G.]

Tommy,



My OE batteries in my '95 were replaced last spring. I ignored the "maintenance free" BS and kept them topped up with distilled water.

 

[illflem]

I maintained my maintenance free batteries just like Joe, the stock batteries in both trucks lasted a little over 5 years before replacing with Red Top Optimas. One stock battery that was still good went into a tractor where it is still going strong. Many things will decrease the life of a battery, the most notable being running them way down. I attribute my long battery life to using the block heater in cold weather, the grid heaters never come on and the battreries don't get freezing cold. Joe lives in a somewhat warm climate where he probably doesn't need the grid heaters much.

 

[DAWG-1]

My OE batteries in my '95 lasted over 5 years . Sam

 

[Joe G.]

Bill,



Eureka has a climate about like Seattle. The grid heaters usually come on early in the morning for a short time year round.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

battery life

Another great factor upon battery life is vibration and shock. If you like to off-road or chase deer or fox across the fields, you are going to have short battery life. Battery plates do not take abuse very well. The clatter of the diesel is hard enough.

 

[SOOT]

OE Batteries

My mothers truck is a 99 24v and needs new batteries, it also has 117,000+ miles on it! I replace the batteries in my truck in december of 2000.

 

[rwilliams4]

I just replaced my batteries in my 97 3500 Cummins for the first time. I guess 5 years is pretty good for OE batteries.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Hey, the Founder and President of KISS is back! Whenever the subject of KISS comes up some of us have wondered where you've been these days. Good to see your posting voice again



Vaughn

 

[tlippy]

KISS your Truck!!!!

Mac - I been looking here all the time. You PNW guys got Dodge all straightened out!!!! I'd buy a new truck if mine wasn't running so good. No problems, so I figured to let the newbies rant and rave a bit. Good to hear from U again.

 

[KYOUNG]

battery life

I got 6yrs out of my Dec. 93,94 model truck. Replaced them with autozones best 8yr batteries

 

[sewman]

I bought my truck March 17 1994 & they are still original

(not much else is though)

Bob

 

[BK]

bought mine in spring 99,

OE batteries still going strong.



They've seen a lot of off road, off road towing of the travel trailer and some winching of the "trucks" that got stuck in front of me and in my way on the trail.



If you get 5 years or more from a set of batteries, you've gotten your monies worth.

 

[Scott Elliott]

I think my battery is original from '93. The year sticker on the top of the battery has the 3 punched out, so I am guessing that means 1993. It is an Interstate battery, and it looks old. But, the engine starts instantly upon turning the key, and it only has to crank a second or two when it is really cold, ie 5-10 degrees. If I am misreading the sticker, please let me know as I have been wondering how long it has to live before replacement, especially since the truck only has the one battery.

 

[JohnE]

My 97 spent all its life in the Pac Northworst until this past winter. Now it has to live in Minnesota and is still going on original batteries.



I've had all battery failures in summer than winter on my vehicles. Summer heat must cook the life from the plates?



Do what you feel is necessary. Don't listen to claims from others that don't live in your moccasins.



My 2 bits



-John

 

[Dkevdog]

I've owned three Rams- 94' 95' and now 96'. Also have had two caravans. Not a single one of the batteries lasted more than 3 years top- most went out in 2 to 2. 5 years. I was glad when they went out. Gave me the excuse to get the interstates!



Kev

 

[fest3er]

Mine are still running fairly strong after 4 years and 97K miles. They had one good discharge when one of the heater relays failed in the on position.



I'll be watching to see how they work when it starts getting cold here (SW VA). If they're slowing down, I'll put in a set of spiral cell batteries.



Fest3er

 

[bvanetten]

Man, you guys are lucky. Here in Phoenix if I get 2 1/2 to 3 years I'm lucky. Our summers fry them up quick!

 

[bighammer]

7 1/2 years for mine. Just replaced them this spring