Not sure if I'm just not searching for the right thing, but I was looking for threads with recommendations for batteries. I've read in the past that the AutoZone Duralast Gold's were pretty good, and when I owned a 7.3, I heard good things about the batteries from WalMart, but it's been years and years since I've bought batteries for anything other than a Jeep. I don't have the scratch to do Optima's.

These are going to get put through the paces right away trying to crank a truck with a new injector that's sat for over a year.

 

Walmart batteries are still great, and priced right.

 

I am a big fan of deka batteries. I just put a set in my truck yesterday. 200 dollars for the set and 875 cca.

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I got mine form Costco 850cca I think they were 80ea. They are great, had a few times where I need to crank on them for several secs about 10 times and held out strong.
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What's the best battery is like what's the best oil. Get what has the best price vrs. best warranty for where you live and travel. I do the AZ because they have a good warranty, are coast to coast and are open 24/7. Warranty is no good if there is no outlet where you break down.

 

I have had my Sears Diehard Platinum's for 3 years and love them.
They are 930cca with 100 month warranty but they are about $220 each.

 

Interstate for me, Costco leaked maybe just a bad batch of batts.

 

Gospel right there!

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Sorry to say, but Walmart batteries are JUNK now!! The best over the counter battery would be a East Penn Manufactured battery!! They are still made here in USA. You'll find different prices on them. I got 2 1030 CC batteries for 78.00 a piece. Most NAPA stores carry them but they charge 110 a piece for them. Look around. Deka batteries are also a East Penn manufactured battery. I found mine from a MOM/POP automotive store 4 miles from my home..

 

Whatever you decide to buy, (because they will be used in parallel) it is important that both batteries are from the same lot, same date codes and as fresh as possible. Before installation it pays to get each individual cell of both batteries on the same sheet of music using an AC charger they have to be charged in paralell, not individually. Any charger will work, it just takes longer. It's more critical in a series arrangement, or a series/paralell but mismatched cells are guaranteed to cause problems.

The batteryfaq.org site has the charging end voltage specs for different types of batteries, I would charge till both are gassing freely and FULLY charged. New batteries take a dozen or so starts before they will start to reach full capacity. At that point it might be a good idea to apply an equalization charge, again in paralell, if the battery manufacturer recommends it.

As far as the type of battery one strategy may well be to use the more inexpensive conventional lead-acid, old school "add water" batteries and monitor the.cell gravity and charge those *******s up as necessary. You can see when individual cells are either getting low, or the reverse, etc. equalization charges won't damage old school batteries. The disadvantage to "maintenance free" batteries is there is no provision for adding water, and some types are damaged by overcharging or undercharging.

 

Costco/Kirkland batteries for me. Work great and there are Costcos all over the place, where ever you go. They are very good about exchanging them (in pairs) if there is a problem too.

 

I vote Walmart Maxx batteries.

Josh

 

I went interstate simply because we sell them at work and haven't had any comebacks in the 5 years I've been there.

 

Is the interstate warranty only good to the original buyer with receipt? I bought my truck with interstate batteries, they are marked at just under 3 years old (3/11 installation) with a 84 month warranty. I have not load tested them yet but I know I lost 1. I had a very slow crank even after an over night trickle charge, post cleaning and the alternator is typically charging at 14 VDC per scangauge. I shot from the hip with new batteries and cranks much faster than it did.

 

Please share your horrible experience, and when you bought the junk Walmart batteries.