Need new batteries- what do you recommend?

[ILIANBG]

BTowler, where were you man? How did those Optimas get trashed? Is it common? Man, did I screw up again? And what is that Odyssey thing and who sells'em. I paid pretty high price for the Optima... I sure hope I'm lucky with those

 

[BTowler]

I live in San Antonio, Texas and the guys I know who had problems always had them in summer, which is pretty hot here, and they ran their trucks heavy. There are a lot of people running them that say they work great, though, so they may work for you. The Odyssey's aren't cheap either, but with the PC1700T you have one battery that has more than enough output. Odyssey's are supposedly what the military uses in the Hummers and Tanks. You can find them at www.odysseybatteries.com.

 

[CumminsAholic]

In Texas that 1 battery will be enough, but here I don't think it'd cut it. When it's -30 or-40 degrees and my truck isn't plugged in I want it to start. It will not pop right off. The odyssey rapidly discharges, IE after 5 sec of cranking the 1700 drops to a 1250. When it's that cold out a 1250 will have a really hard time turning over my truck.

I'm not saying they're a bad battey, I have them in just about all my "toys" and I like them, but I don't know if 1 would cut it. In a 1st gen, absolutely it'd be great, but I dunno about a 2nd gen, they seem to turn over harder. No flames intended, just a heads up to others who might be reading this.

Corey

 

[BTowler]

PC2150 then? :-laf

 

[Jeepinjason]

I have always used Optima Yellow Tops in my Jeeps and other vehicles and will put two in my truck when the stock batteries go out. Yellow is the best if you plan on adding lights, stereo upgrades, winch, etc.

 

[Matt42]

I've been told by many people that down here with the heat of Florida, doesn't matter how much you spend on a battery, you're not going to get more than 2-3 years out of it. I have yet to change the batteries in my truck, but every other vehicle I've had down here I've had to change batteries every 2-3 years. I used to buy interstate, but found i wasn't getting anymore life out of them than the $35 cheapo batteries. Can anyone comment from a hot climate whether they've had the same experience? My truck is almost 3 years old now and I suspect I'll need batteries soon, and don't want to spend the money on Optima if I'm not going to get the life out of them? Any opinions?

What you heard also applies to where I live in Arizona. When the regular battery quits, it does so with no warning at all. In town, a friend or AAA will get me jump started, and my next stop is wherever I bought the battery for a pro-rated rplacement. Not so if it quits in July 45 miles from pavement. For my Dodge, I use Optimas. The set in it now were installed in 2002. The "old" red top Optimas, from 1998, are on my travel trailer's tongue--still working fine. My wife does home health care, Optima for her also.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Dual redtop optimas scince November last year. The truck had been sitting for 2 weeks and the day I hopped in I just whaled the key and bing... right up. Lately tho My VP is dying and I need to change it out so the starter has been getting a workout and not a hint of slowdown.

 

[TomGolden]

I know I am one of the luckiest guys on the TDR. My original batteries are still going strong as day one... 6+ years and 106K miles and still going. During the summer, I only fire up the truck maybe once a month, as I'm riding motorcycles everywhere as long as it's dry.



But when the dreaded day comes... the Odessey's are so far my top choice, and then Optima's a close second.

 

[CTD 600]

Autozone Duralast



89 BUCKS



MORE CRANKING AMPS THAN OPTIMA RED'S. 100 DOLLARS CHEAPER TOO



Oh yeah... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... 7 year warranty!! :--)

 

[mcsinfl]

What you heard also applies to where I live in Arizona. When the regular battery quits, it does so with no warning at all. In town, a friend or AAA will get me jump started, and my next stop is wherever I bought the battery for a pro-rated rplacement. Not so if it quits in July 45 miles from pavement. For my Dodge, I use Optimas. The set in it now were installed in 2002. The "old" red top Optimas, from 1998, are on my travel trailer's tongue--still working fine. My wife does home health care, Optima for her also.

thanks Matt, good to hear. I don't really need the power of the optima as my truck has stock accessories, but it never hurts to buy better than you actually need... maybe i'll give them a try next time around

 

[CumminsAholic]

7 year free replacement or 7 year pro rated? The everlast wal-mart batteries have a 6 year with a 3 year free replacement... I think they're like $70.

Corey

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Price Increase....

I was speaking with a guy in a battery shop over the weekend and mentioned Optimas, which he sells. He said the Optimas have had 2 or 3 price increases over the last few months. Prepare for sticker shock



-Jay

You were not Kidding Jay,



Just checked Summit. $179. 95 For an Optima Red Top??



I paid $129 a year ago!

 

[cArNiVaLwOrKeR]

Yeller tops here, 4wheel parts

 

[tgordon]

Only ever had one issue, but not the battery's fault. The alternator was going out and did not charge the batteries completly so when I went to start it the battery kept trying, when l/a would have given up, and it did weld the contacts together. My father and I went round and round till he decided to replace alt, starter and batteries. I only replaced the alt and jump started the tractor there were no other problems till he found out I did not replace the batteries also LOL :-laf :-laf :-laf he still wanted to go back to the old LA ones so I robbed them for another tractor(they were 6 volts not 12 and I did not feel like rewiring)

 

[HSpiering]

Have bought from Les Schuab and Dodge dealer. Price about the same. Change every 5 years, good or bad. YOU DON'T WANT bad batteries with on of these trucks!!!! :{

 

[Tomscreek]

I've got red tops in mine and I can't even remember how long they've been in there. I'm thinking 4+ years. They still work great. I put a Duralast battery from Auto Zone in my diesel tractor and that thing spins that motor better than any battery I've ever had in there. I think they're really good too.

 

[georgej]

Like Tom Golden I'm going on 6 years and over 100k with the factory OEM's!

 

[tgordon]

I got 6 yrs on the factory and now have interstates that I think are starting to get weak after 5 yrs. But being the cheap idiot I am I will try to get through this winter on these and get new ones next fall, plus my wife will be done with school and working giveing us a very different $ standing.

 

[MGire]

My Optima red tops lasted 5 years, they just up and died a couple of weeks ago. (San Francisco Bay Area) I went with 2 of the Odyssey PC1700T. Also had military grade terminals put on. These batteries spin the cummins with no hesitation (30 degree morning, cycling the grid heaters). Great service from Yawan Smith at www.kodiakinc.com

 

[JWillis]

Catapillar batteries will last you about 5 plus years. I can vouch for their quality. they will cost you about $150 per. You can buy them at the parts counter at any catapillar dealer. you order them per the group number on your existing battery. I think they are the best kept secret in the heavy equipment industry. Really I don't think you can beat them for the price...