2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission need batteries for 2001 3500 suggestions?

[diesel DOG]

I was going to go to Sears as the have 3 year warranty no questions ask. Feedback is welcome on others, thanks.

 

[barbwire]

When any batteries of mine go bad, I'LL be replaceing them with Optima batteries. I put one in my Oliver diesel 10 years ago, and have run it nearly dead a few times, and charge it up and it is as good as new. BTW, it took the place of Two 6 volt batts. and spins that diesel just as good if not better. I do not believe I have ever had a better battery. JMO

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I've got Optimas too. Two in the truck, one in the car and one in the trailer. Optimas have never let me down.

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

Optima red tops get my vote... ...

 

[SBettencourt]

Just last week, I went with a pair of MAXX batteries from Walmart, $60 each. I have had one in my 1500 for the past couple of years w/o a problem. I have even had good luck with the cheapo EverStart batteries in my other cars. Years ago I always had bad luck with Sears batteries. They always leaked around the posts for some reason but that was back in the '80s.

 

[KKelly]

Optima Red Top Warning

If you are unlucky enough to ever leave your lights on with these batteries your finished.

These batteries will never except a full charge and when its cold good luck starting your truck. These batteries are not worth the extra money. I dont want to sound to negative about these but after replacing 4 of them I will never buy them again.

 

[fox]

I too had a bad Optima red top.

I had trouble getting it replaced by a battery shop that sell them. The manager said it still had enough capacity to start the Dakota it was in. They kept it for a week on a trickle charger and he still wouldn't replace it after a no start!!

I sat nearby until he went to lunch one day and another employee exchanged it.

To give my complete story, I also have one that is 10 years old and it sits in a compact tractor for months and always starts it very well.

You can get a bad battery or a bad anything.

I like them, and will buy next year for my Cummins.

 

[EricBu12]

For the dry cell type batteries, I use the Odessey from Mr. bob's



They are expensive, bu at 1700 amp, I was able to use it... on 1 battery, in the winter like 20 degrees. I have 2 now as 1 was almost good enough... . I keep them topped with a trickle every few months in the winter but other than that, they do great... .



I think they are like $200 each... ... supossed to last 8 years and take a good charge over and over.

 

[HeavyHauler]

Red tops are starting batteries. They aren't made for complete drains and recharges. I would go with yellow tops for added security. They're deep cycle batteries and can stand up to lots of recharging.



I've got two Group 31 yellow-tops under my hood (D31A). I also had a bad one, but got it replaced promptly. The Group 31s are dual purpose, meaning they're made for starting and deep cycle use.



But, I run a 34/78 red top in my little isuzu pickup. It started that truck about 150 times before I found out that my alternator wasn't even charging it. It seems to have taken a recharge well.

 

[kelly4463]

I run two group 27s gold from sears part time sears auto worker here

 

[Silver_Ram]

Optima Red Tops are the only batteries for me. Never had a bad one.



You don't have to clean corrosion off the terminals.

 

[kelly4463]

Silver Ram you can eat off my motor :-laf :-laf

 

[LandShark]

I've never had a problem with Sears batteries. Current set has been in the truck for 6 years and 3 months, and continue to be strong.

 

[Grizzly]

I always get batteries from Costco. They have a good battery, they have the best prices and they have the best warranty.

 

[diesel DOG]

I picked up some Sears batteries tonight. One was shot the other marginal. Should crank faster and auto start should work better. Thanks for the tips!

 

[J Shocik]

Diesel Dog, why don't you buy the Optimas at Sears? They sell them there now & will stand behind them in the event of a problem, especially if you kick & scream enough! :-laf I'm an ex-auto center employee there & know what works for the customers.

I wouldn't be worried if they can handle the loads of a CTD, I'd be more concerned about the corrosion problems from regular wet cell batteries ( cruise control problems, grid heater relay problems, ect. ).

I presently have 2 Sears Trailhandlers in my CTD, and just went through the grid heater relay problem, caused from wet cell battery corrosion. My battery top is clean, with a little white powder starting to show (before the relay change, none now). I didn't think there would be a problem if I kept everything clean, which I did. I don't think I would have had the corrosion problems if I had the optima's in the first place.