So i bought my truck 06 F350 4x4CC 6.0PS and it is at home with my dad until i get back from this deployment. He said he went to start it and the batteries were dead. He then took it down to Autozone where they tested the charging system and found that the one on the right was completely dead and the one on the left took a pretty bad strain from the other one going out. But the alternator tested fine. I just ordered 2 D34 Yellow top Optima batteries. I have ran these on cars with sound systems and cars with hydraulics, just wondering if anyone has ran them in there trucks and had any issues or complaints.

 

I've seen good and bad on the Optima's--I guess they're just like any other battery. I had the yellow tops in my flatbottom and abused the crap out of them with a big trolling motor. They lasted a very long time and probably would have lasted longer if the guy I sold it to would have cared for them properly.

 

I replaced my batteries a year ago with stock motorcraft BXT-66-750. I got 7 years out of the original ones so why not go back with them. Hopefully they will do the same..But I guess just like any other thing just hope you get good ones.

 

I went with the yellow top Duralasts. You get two for the price of an optima and the 3/8 year warranty is excellant.

 

I've got a 7 year old original Motorcraft battery in my 2004 Mach 1, 5 year original Motorcrafts in my F250 Powerstroke, and an original 5 year old battery in my Husqvarna riding lawn tractor.

I also have three Deltran Battery Tenders Plus. I always park in my garage, even if stopping by the house for ten or fifteen minutes, and I've made it a habit to plug into the Battery Tenders every time without exception. That means if the vehicles are at home and not running, their batteries are being topped off by the Battery Tenders.


My friend has a 2006 Powerstroke with two new yellow top Optimas. He doesn't keep his batteries plugged in to a float charger. Two weeks after installing the new batteries , I was in his truck when he up idled. The SEIC went above 1,200 rpm to about 1,600 rpm indicating that the batteries were not fully charged. (The truck's charging system is 100%.) That means parking outside in Cody, Wyoming, 20 to 25 cold starts at 0F or below and relatively short commutes took more charge out of his Optimas than the alternator could put back in.

Here's the important part: For best performance and longevity, auto batteries (whether Optimas, Motorcrafts or anything else) need to be kept at 100% charge. Your alternator cannot do that, period. A 100% state of charge (as in maintained float charge) brings sulfation close to zero. Sulfation is what kills batteries.

Your truck spends more time parked than on the road. When parked, the
batteries are under a small load, plus they self-discharge. That means that even under the best circumstances, your batteries are below 100% charge (which can only be achieved and maintained with a float charger) MOST OF THE TIME. Plug in to a Battery Tender at home and start each day with a 100% battery. Go through a few starts, then plug in at the end of the day.

If you're plugged into a float charger every night, your batteries are at 100% MOST OF THE TIME and you minimize sulfation. I guarantee that a regular battery plugged in to a Battery Tender every night will outlast a Optima or Odessey (a.k.a Sears Platinum).

P.S.: Load tests on my Mustang and 6.0 batteries show 97% - 100% capacity.

 

I'm with you XB70 I have 2 Deltran Waterproof 800 Battery Tenders. I use one on my 03 F-350 & one on my Kubota Tractor..I replaced my 03 batteries a year ago Got 7 years out of them & my Kubota 8 years old still has the original stock battery and going strong..So I do believe that the Battery Tenders do work!!!

 

XB70 hit the nail on the head.

 

Stick with the MotorCraft just bump up to the 850cca from stock 750cca. My 2006 still has originals 750cca. its been very cold here in Michigan haven't failed yet.

 

I was going to go with the 850cca but the parts guy at dealership said to stay with the 750's that they hold up better. The 850's were the same price. So being I did get 7 years out of the 750 I stayed with them. I'm not saying your wrong just a decision I made..

 

Did you devise some kind of quick connect for your truck, or are you just using alligator clips? Just looking for tips to make it easy to plug and unplug.

Thanks.

- Steve

 

The Deltran Battery Tender Plus (and, other Battery Tenders) come with two removable leads. The first is a pair of alligator clips, the second is eyelet equipped that bolts to your battery leads.

Just attach the eyelet equipped leads to the passenger side battery and the other end is long enough to reach between the passenger headlight and grill. Just push it between the light and grill when your done.

You can plug in without opening the hood. Just be careful and remember that you're plugged in. I placed Post It notes on my steering wheel for two weeks to get in the habit of unplugging before backing out of the garage. If you use alligator clips, you KNOW you're plugged in because the hood is up. If you use the eyelet lead, you will forget.

At least the Battery Tender is a tough unit and will survive numerous drops to a concrete garage floor after being pulled of the shelf because you forgot to unplug. This won't damage the truck as the yank will just pull the plug apart.