Which Battery is Best

[MickeyMiller]

wlowe and Allnew2Me,



You are both correct... here is the response I got from Odyssey:

Thank you for your inquiry. Yes, they are both produced using the same AGM, non-Spillable (Dry Cell), pure lead technology. The 1700T was the original BCI Group 65 battery we produced however issues with it not being a direct “drop-in” battery for all "group 65" applications caused Enersys to produce a true Group 65 battery. If you compare the two models, the dimensions are not the same and a metal jacket would be required for the PC1700 if it is going to be exposed to temperatures above 113°F. Either model would work equally well in your application.



Sears... here I come!

 

[rbattelle]

To reinforce jelag's comment about paralleling batteries, a week ago at a Samboree I saw a large Diesel motorhome with one battery swelled up like a balloon. A cell shorted, the other battery pumped energy into the bad one. The batteries were sitting on the ground, I would bet money that the guys that took them out had no face or eye protection. Every time I open the hood of my Dodge Cummins I take a quick look at the batteries. Using large six volt batteries is much preferable.

Another good reason to replace the 2 batteries with a single Odyssey PC2150.



Ryan

 

[MickeyMiller]

Or 2 Odyssey PC2150's! Counter the brownouts we tend to have here in California...

 

[jkidd]

sears platinum is $189
DieHard Automotive Battery, Platinum P-2 - Group Size 65 - Model P-2 at Sears.com

 

[MickeyMiller]

JKidd and All,



Just got back from Sears in Tracy with 2 Sears Platinum P-2's. Installed and w recycle fee, out the door, $432. They also did a load test of the alternator and a clean instalation with battery blankets. This site saved me money again, I was ready to spring for the Odysses direct! The originals were still doing fine, but with 6 years and a trip to Montana coming up this winter I didn't want to be surprised.

 

[p-Bar]

Thinking about converting to to 6 volt batteries Pros and cons? will I have the CCA needed? comes to mind

 

[Robin]

Thinking about converting to to 6 volt batteries Pros and cons? will I have the CCA needed? comes to mind

Two 6 volt batteries in series each with CCA of 1000 amps is the same as two paralleled batteries of 500 CCA.



Pros:



Most important: Safer, no chance of a failed battery exploding due to the other battery pumping energy into it.



Paralleled batteries may not get equally charged, even identical ones.



If a paralleled battery fails open, you may not be aware of it for awhile. Case in point, September 2007 I bought two new identical 12 volt batteries. Later in the winter it seemed to me that the Cummins wasn't cranking as fast as I remembered. Finally checked and one battery was open internally. The batteries were under warranty so it didn't cost me anything, but I went ahead and replaced both to get as close a match as possible. Saved the still-good one for a rainy day.



Cons:



In case of failure, it would be difficult to find a replacement six volt battery designed for cranking duty. Golf cart Batteries are deep cycle, generally do not have high CCA.



Any two six volt batteries (at least ones made for cranking duty) can be used together.



Very large cable needs to be run between the six volt batteries.



Although my engineering sensibilities are much in favor of two sixes in series, to avoid hassle I'm staying with the original configuration, two paralleled 12 volters.

 

[p-Bar]

Talked to my battery guy today (small shop) he said that size battery in 6volt would only get 300CCA oh well guess I'll keep it simple. I am going to disconnect the heater grid that is hard on the batteries. Never gets cold enough here. It was designed for subzero temps.

 

[ChrisKringle]

I wouldnt recommend the Walmart Energizers, they do not crank as fast as the factory ones did for me in all weather.

 

[MarkMiller]

Besides, adding a winch and air compressor so want the extra battery power.

atip about batteries with top posts and side terminals as well: the side terminals are sometimes only attached with thin straps to the main post inside the battery case and will not have the necessary current to run high draw items like winches, jumper cables and compressors. I learned this with optima red tops because the jumper leads that run to the front and back of my truck wouldn't start a small tractor. I switched from my permanent mounted cables to the old clamp on style and they worked just fine. I must say that I have not been terribly impressed with optima. Yes, they mount anywhere and won't leak from a cracked case but they just don't seem to have the oomph they are supposed to. Every time I put a voltmeter on them I have 11. 5 volts. The system charges at 14. 4 and everything else checks out but once I shut the truck off and check the batteries they have about 11. 5 on average. I don't want to start a war over optimas, I just haven't had good luck with them. I previously had another set that didn't last but 18 mos.

In heavy equipment Caterpillar batteries are the standard by which all others are judged. They make them for most vehicles too. That is what I am getting next. If they survive thousands of hours in a track loader they can survive a few years in a pickup.

Look here: Caterpillar: Products>Parts>Batteries

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Living on Borrowed Time

Picked up my truck in November of 2000. Still has original batteries. Very dilligent about maintenance (ie: keeping them clean, dry and corrosion free).



However, I know that it is only a matter of time. Thank you for the info.

 

[Lmoore1624]

LeadAcid batteries need desulfation

The boaters and the solar power guys have been doing desulfation of lead acid batteries for some time now. It will at least double the life of our batteries. Just 'Google' this subject and you will get tons of info.

 

[Robin]

Black and Decker makes some neat automatic chargers that have a desulfation function.

 

[steved]

As noted, most batteries are made by a handful of manufacturers. Every now and again you will find a small battery manufacturer, but typically they are small and local... which sucks if you travel any distance from home.

IME, a lot of cheaper batteries are typically made by Exide... I have never had real good experiences with Exide.

I will not run an Interstate, they screwed me once on warranty (so much for the "no receipt" warranty they advertise). The battery was less than 6 months old and they wouldn't touch it... there was no reason for them to leave me sitting (the car was un-modified)...

Last I heard (been a while), Diehards were manufactured by Interstate... and you're only paying for the Diehard name.

I personally run Deka, for several reasons... they are top of the line in quality, I can buy them direct from the factory, and it keeps my money somewhat local (my neighbor works for Deka). I believe my Deka are 1050CA and 850CCA?? I've been running Deka for a while now, and have not had a single problem... they are a good battery.

Unless your truck sits for long periods, you shouldn't really need a desulfating charger.

 

[CClatter]

Have you looked at the Optima Commercial Battery. It is larger, has higher MCA at 1125 amps, and higher CCA at 900 amps. It looks to be about the same size as the original batteries in our trucks. It comes with stainless steel posts.



I have the red tops now and I'm concidering relocating the batteries along the frame rail on the passenger side behind the cab LWB. I think these commercial batteries will fit the bill as they are about the same size as the factory ones and I will be installing new cables anyway. It looks like these batteries have stainless studs like the marine batteries.

The higher capacity will be welcome!



See Web Sites

Specs & Tech - Technical Specifications

Optima Yellow Top Commercial



In order to use this battery in our trucks the stud type posts you would need to have adapters to make it a standard type post.

Battery TRM05320-2





CClatter

 

[TheBigSgt]

atip about batteries with top posts and side terminals as well: the side terminals are sometimes only attached with thin straps to the main post inside the battery case and will not have the necessary current to run high draw items like winches, jumper cables and compressors. I learned this with optima red tops because the jumper leads that run to the front and back of my truck wouldn't start a small tractor. I switched from my permanent mounted cables to the old clamp on style and they worked just fine. I must say that I have not been terribly impressed with optima. Yes, they mount anywhere and won't leak from a cracked case but they just don't seem to have the oomph they are supposed to. Every time I put a voltmeter on them I have 11. 5 volts. The system charges at 14. 4 and everything else checks out but once I shut the truck off and check the batteries they have about 11. 5 on average. I don't want to start a war over optimas, I just haven't had good luck with them. I previously had another set that didn't last but 18 mos.





In heavy equipment Caterpillar batteries are the standard by which all others are judged. They make them for most vehicles too. That is what I am getting next. If they survive thousands of hours in a track loader they can survive a few years in a pickup.



Look here: Caterpillar: Products>Parts>Batteries

Any Idea who makes these for Cat?