I really dislike the stock batteries

[craftybigdog]

Yeah I just checked the little green light on my two batteries and one is dim and the other isnt enen glowing Ive only had the truck 2 yrs this april are the stock batteries crap I would like to get the optima batteries they are great but I hope the stealer will give me a new set what do you guys think had the same problem

 

[Extreme1]

Good luck. The dealer will load test them, if they test OK, he will say they are OK. If you want to make them live longer, remove the tops and add distilled water, they are low.

 

[Joe G.]

I made my stock "maintenance free" batteries last a long time. Pry off the caps and keep them topped up with distilled water just like Extreme1 says.

 

[chuck3]

Yes, What they said. They will last much longer that way.

 

[illflem]

Almost six years on my "maintenance free" batteries by just adding water.

 

[dan_gilson]

I have also have a battery with a dark eye. I have had no problems with the batteries though. Recently, I popped the caps and filled and now both eyes are dark. Even after an hour plus of charging with a 40amp charger.

 

[craftybigdog]

just wondering about the caps

I pryed one of the caps off and filled one side up but the cap went back on but wouldnt lock down as tight is this normal if so that is what I will do just let me know thanks guys!

 

[Joe G.]

Should be ok. Hopefully, there is no pressure to loosen it.

 

[WDaniels]

The Optima batteries are a good battery and we use them on our airplanes, but when you deep cycle them ie. . like leaving something on and killing the battery, alot of the time they will not recover and take a charge. We are going through alot of batteries for this very thing

WD

 

[mberry]

Originally posted by WDaniels

The Optima batteries are a good battery and we use them on our airplanes, but when you deep cycle them ie. . like leaving something on and killing the battery, alot of the time they will not recover and take a charge. We are going through alot of batteries for this very thing

WD

What about using Marine starting batteries? They should hold up well to the pounding of our trucks and have good deep cycle capabilities. Any opinions please?

 

[dan_gilson]

My battery caps seem a little looser after I pried them off. I have not had any problems with them though. They just do not seem to be as tight.

 

[Fatboy]

Batteries

My dealer replaced my originals in month 35 frre of charge on warranty when I told him it was turning over slow. Since then I have ignored the "maintenance free" piece and I check and top off with distilled every oil change. You just can't believe everything you read.

 

[RCook]

Marine Batteries

Marine starting batteries (I have Optima marine blue tops for my boat diesel, and Optima red-tops in the truck - they don't seem to be particularly different except for the terminal style) are cranking batteries, not deep cycle batteries.



Starting batteries have high CCA ratings, but low AH capacity. Deep cycle batteris are the opposite. If they're large enough, they may have the CCA's you need.



Optima does sell deep cycle versions, in the yellow top, or the marine blue top deep cycle version. I don't know how well they might work on our trucks, which have a pretty limited "deep cycle" requirement. Maybe they'd be less devasted by a complete discharge than the starting Optima's, but I don't know that.



If you decide you want deep cycle batteries for the truck, just make sure they have enough CCA's to do the starting job well.

 

[DavidGardner]

I have 128,000 miles on my 95 that I bought new. I to have ignored the do not remove sign for the covers and have been topping them off with distilled water at least once a year. Yes the covers do not fit as tight after you pry them off the first time.



good luck with what ever you go with.

 

[craftybigdog]

Couldnt stand it guys

Yeah I just went and got to red top Optimas today they look nice I hope they work great thanks for all the input!

 

[JohnE]

Just put a piece of tape over the eye and continue on...



The "eye" is a hydrometer, the same as the turkey baster type battery checker. It tells the specific gravity of your electrolyte which indicates charge.



The &quot;eye&quot; is a floating ball that sometimes <e,>flips over</em>. Yep, it will show the dark side on a <b>fully</b> charged battery. Most people that handle batteries with &quot;eyes&quot; are taught to shake the battery first and see if it rolls over. If it rolls, a quick charge to verify things are good and the customer is happy.

the thing to look for is a dim green to indicate the &quot;eye&quot; is low in electrolyte and not flipped.



On the flip side, a battery that needs an excessive amount of fluid top off sometimes indicates an overly hot charging system.



Make sure to buy batteries with adequate CCA and RC (reserve capacity).



-John