New Battery

[GeneA]

Just had the OEM battery die on me. Checked with DC and $70 exchange over the counter. (You install it). Checked with Sam's Club--$45 exchange installed, and their battery has more capacity. Guess which one I went with.

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98. 5 24v 3500 2wd 3. 54 lsd pyro & boost in A pillar DD1's E-brake by Jacob U. S. Gear over/direct O'Reilly Air Horns 105 gal aux tank 35' Prowler 5th wheel with three slides Firestone air helper springs

 

[Bad340fish]

Yeah and guess which one you will be replacing soon. I work for Interstate Batteries and you honestly get what you pay for. A Cheap battery will get you by for awhile but don't expect it to last as long as your OEMs. Be sure and keep the water level full during the summer months. Acid getting on the fenders has been a problem with some aftermarket batteries but not sure which brands. See ya
Clark

 

[illflem]

Clark is right,not only do you get what pay for,you get things you didn't pay for like leakage and reliability. I've been running Interstate batteries for 25 years,they last,even better now that Interstate handles Optima.

 

[CumminsAholic]

Dodge batteries are JUNK!!! My dad's went out on his 98 at 15,000 miles, and one went out again at 40,000. On My 98. 5 they were getting really weak at 35,000 miles. Yes, you do get what you pay for, but just because you pay more for something doesn't mean it'll be better either.
Corey


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1998. 5 2500, 4x4, SB, Red Sport, Agate Interior, Quad Cab, O. H. Console, Auto, 4. 10 LSD, Trailer Tow and Camper Special Packages, Mopar Aluminum Nerf Bars, Spray In Bedliner, Pioneer/Jensen System, 255/85's, Bd Adjustable Preformance Box w/boost module, Boost Elbow, 4" Exhaust Split Into Two 3" w/5" cans, K+N Scotty Style, Exhaust Blanket, Bill K's Valve Body, Mopar Tow Hooks, Front Bumper Step, 55 watt Back-up Lights, Etc, Etc... .

 

[CCahill]

I've used Interstates also, for the last 10/12 years... . The last couple a' batteries I've got I had problems with them... Both batteries had bad cells after about a year or so, two different cars, two different batteries..... They were pro-rated and I went on my way. . The thing with pro-rating is you still have to buy that product, whether it's a battery, or a tire... you don't usually have a choice... . I'm going to stay with Interstate and see what happens

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2001 Quad,4x4,4. 10LS,LB,Loaded,no leather... . 65 Chevelle sedan, Hella nice driver, 53 Nash Rambler Convt,1 of 653 built,[not a Metro], GM drivetrain, injection, and auto/d
Specialized FSR Stumpjumper PRo
Cannondale F2000, Loaded
MTD Lawn tractor with flames

 

[GRudy]

I've always been told that when you replace a battery in a dual system that you should replace both at the same time. The old, weaker battery will drain power from the new, stronger battery. just food for thought.

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George, Perry County, PA
99 3500, Reg Cab, 4x4, NV4500, ISB, 4:10,VA box, Intense Blue.

 

[Bad340fish]

George is right. If the batteries are more than 6 months apart in age(service life) its best to replace both. Only trouble bieng is its a b*tch to get places to warranty two batteries if one is good and the other bad.

For Best Battery life
1. Keep them Clean!!! Dirt and moisture on top of the battery can cause a discharge condition.
2. Keep em full of water. . so in other words stay away from Mainanance free batteries like Delco(Although they do make a good battery IMO). How can you add water if it won't come open??(Delco is Maintanance Impossible lol)
3. Clean the Terminals every 6 months or so if not sooner

And the Maintanance part doesn't apply to those of you with optimas... what acid they use condensates inside the sealed battery and it is reabsorbed.


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Clark
1999 2500 QC SB 5spd Flowmaster 3 chamber, K&N Re-0880
1968 Barracuda Formula S Viper Blue 11. 98@112

NHRA member for life

 

[NDRamrod]

bad fish is right with the batteries. I used to run a Chev 6. 5 and put batteries in it twice. interstates the first time and second. 50000 on the replacment 2nd time and were prorated. cost me 50$ for a new pair. I live in ND it is 4 degrees out. My old truck did not get plugged in unless it was 0 or less so in other words it cranked a time or two. And occassionally did the job at -15. only thing the side post batteries are suppose to last longer(interstate guy said) they do not make gas as much because of the top post. I was told.

 

[GRudy]

I have been plugging my block heater in every night this winter regardless of what the morning temp. is to be. I have it on a timer that comes on 3 hours before I leave for work. My morning drive is only 7 miles so if I don't use the heater I'm not getting heat until I'm all but at work. I also noticed that my batteries were getting a little on the weak side anyway so using the block heater is that much less that the batteries need to run the intake heater before I can crank her over. Optima's are in the future!

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George, Perry County, PA
99 3500, Reg Cab, 4x4, NV4500, ISB, 4:10,VA box, Intense Blue.

 

[Bad340fish]

Buy the Reds. More warranty and the same CCA for about $25 less a battery. I sell them to alot of Car audio, 4x4, and Industrial shops and they have gone away from the yellows due to the lack of warranty and the price. Some of them were having trouble with the yellows also. I would say for every yellow i sell i will sell 6 reds.

Clark

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Clark
1999 2500 QC SB 5spd Flowmaster 3 chamber, K&N Re-0880
1968 Barracuda Formula S Viper Blue 11. 98@112

NHRA member for life

 

[GeneA]

Hey, Clark, I don't work for Sam's but I do pull trailers with my truck for a living. When I can save $25 on a replacement part that is better than Mopar that is money in the bank. Fyi Sam's is a Champion brand with 850 cold cranking amps at 0 degrees F as opposed to Mopar's 600. Sam's warranty is 24 month free replacement and 25-75 month pro-rated as opposed to Mopar's 48 month pro-rated. But I don't want to get in an arguement about batteries with someone who works for a battery company. See ya.

 

[Patriot Diesel]

It seems to me from all the posts I have read, you can'y go wrong with the Optima Yellow Tops, as long as you don't mind spending $300+ on two batteries, what do you guys think ?



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2000 2500HD QUADCAB CUMMINS, AUTO WITH 3. 54'S,LB,4x4,ALL OPTIONS MINUS LEATHER,UWS DP TOOL BOX,SPORTMASTER CUSTOM MADE SOFT TONNEAU,CARR STEP, VENTVISOR, 305/70/16 PRO COMP'S, RANCHO RS9000, RS5000 STABILIZER, AMSOIL 15W-40, PATRIOT BLUE/DRIFTWOOD