I am sure this has been discussed many times before but performed a searched in this forum with very little results. I need new batteries for my 08 6.4. It has air suspension (Kelderman), hid's, Recon lights, air horn and a big sound system with extra speakers, amps, etc. My question is: should I stick with stock spec ones or a higher level option?

 

I put the largest battery that fits in my vehicles.... The F150 and F250 have 900 CCA batteries.

 

Thanks. I need to note that the battery icon comes on occasionally but have not noticed any difference in starting , lights going dim, etc. Also, forgot to mention it is a 350.

 

Stock batteries should be fine. But I would bet that transient battery light is pointing to an over worked alternator. If you still have the stock alternator consider an upgrade. Also consider upgrading your "Big 3" wiring. All of the battery cables and alternator cables.

 

watch out on alternator upgrades. some after market ones rewind stock alternator housings to provide more current.....problem is that these rewound alternators kick in at a higher rpm. High performance alternators are larger and have more wire in them and work at lower engine rpm.

 

Diesel trucks should have the largest batteries that the holders will carry as another poster pointed out. Some of your listed accessories only take addition current at start up or infrequent use (HID and Horns). You may want to look into a third battery solely for your sound system. You can do additional isolation on that battery to ensure no interference is introduced by the alternator or other systems on-board.. Plenty of space under the truck...

Interesting information on the aftermarket high amperage alternators.. This might be a case where the OP should consider a secondary alternator..

 

Thanks for the replies. The truck has dual alternators from the factory. I checked the output and it is normal. One thing to note is that the batteries are the the maintanence ones. Shortly after purchase, I checked the water level and both were low, although the water was covering the plates. Not sure how long they were low. They are Auto zone. Are the maintanence free or gel/glassmat/Odessey recommended?

 

Well that was a bit of crucial information left out

Now I think the battery light does indeed link to your batteries. Get them tested. You probably have one or more bad cells, and one bad cell can kill your truck. I had one bad cell and one borderline cell in my truck a few months ago, and my truck would die over night.

I dont know about these maintenance free batteries, but in my experience most things called "maintenance free" are really more like short term disposable items marketed to be premium. I would go with a large brand name battery.

 

water level and acid specific gravity and acid level are too different things. you do not want dulited acid. get a tester and check the specific gravity of the acid. if the acid specific gravity is very high and the acid level is low...you can add distilled water. If the acid speciic gravity is very low and the level is low...you can not add water...you have to add acid.

 

OK, I'm an idiot and forgot the kiss principle. First, found out the batteries are less than a year old then decided to put a wrench on all the connections. Found two post clamps loose and the cable that connects both bats. Have put on several hundred miles and no light! Thanks again for the suggestions.