What battery do YOU recommend?
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I have had issues with several Everstart Maxx batteries from Walmart within the last 3 years myself. The warranty is good and painless but the batteries are not very good in my experience. I got 10 years on the previous Motorcraft 650cca.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Well while doing my transmission flush, I did find my starter is missing a nut. The nut holding the main power lead onto the solenoid on the starter. So the cable is just hung on their. When I bought this truck it had a newer engine put in it. Guess whoever did it half **sed it. Im going to go out on a limb and say this is likely part of my problem.
As for my battery size, I do live on a dirt road that gets God awfully rough after it rains. But I don't do any offroading. And I only have to drive 1/2 mile max on the dirt road to get to paved road. I do have a 300 watt LED light bar. And plans to be addig a few more hundred Watts of LEDs (emergency lights for volunteer firefighting). Than again, my lights are/will all run via a switched source so the truck has to be on or running. So a battery that could stand a few minutes of pushing some serious lighting the better off I feel I would be. And on occasion having to jump people off.
As for my battery size, I do live on a dirt road that gets God awfully rough after it rains. But I don't do any offroading. And I only have to drive 1/2 mile max on the dirt road to get to paved road. I do have a 300 watt LED light bar. And plans to be addig a few more hundred Watts of LEDs (emergency lights for volunteer firefighting). Than again, my lights are/will all run via a switched source so the truck has to be on or running. So a battery that could stand a few minutes of pushing some serious lighting the better off I feel I would be. And on occasion having to jump people off.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
You live in GA, and unless you're in the mountains it's usually pretty mild there? High CCA is important when they are actually needed but these types of batteries are produced at the expense of durability.
They pack more plates in a given space, thinner plates, with more surface area, that are more prone to damage in rough service. They also will have less reserve minutes capacity, an indication of how long it is capable for running accessories. For those reasons unless you absolutely need the maximum CCA (North Dakota, Winnipeg, etc) most people are probably better served with a battery in the same group size but one that is closer to the OEM in CCA. It will be a heavier battery and last longer.
Automotive Electrical, Charging & Starting System Problem Diagnosis & Repair Help
Look at the section on starter troubleshooting and especially voltage drop testing. Even the biggest battery will choke on loose, corroded, or missing cables and connections and start roasting things. If your current battery is struggling you have something else going on, a higher CCA battery isn't necessarily going to help, and it isn't addressing the real problem.
A cheap $48 WallyWorld battery coupled with a good $80 charger might be a better plan than a neglected $130 battery that is half charged and sulfates up. Defective batteries present a difficult load for alternators and voltage regulators. It all starts with the battery. Make sure it is serviceable and all the juice is going where it's supposed to.
They pack more plates in a given space, thinner plates, with more surface area, that are more prone to damage in rough service. They also will have less reserve minutes capacity, an indication of how long it is capable for running accessories. For those reasons unless you absolutely need the maximum CCA (North Dakota, Winnipeg, etc) most people are probably better served with a battery in the same group size but one that is closer to the OEM in CCA. It will be a heavier battery and last longer.
Automotive Electrical, Charging & Starting System Problem Diagnosis & Repair Help
Look at the section on starter troubleshooting and especially voltage drop testing. Even the biggest battery will choke on loose, corroded, or missing cables and connections and start roasting things. If your current battery is struggling you have something else going on, a higher CCA battery isn't necessarily going to help, and it isn't addressing the real problem.
A cheap $48 WallyWorld battery coupled with a good $80 charger might be a better plan than a neglected $130 battery that is half charged and sulfates up. Defective batteries present a difficult load for alternators and voltage regulators. It all starts with the battery. Make sure it is serviceable and all the juice is going where it's supposed to.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 418
Likes: 145
From: Back home in MT
I purchased an Optima 1,000 CCA battery in 2011 for my 2008 F150. Had to replace it a couple of weeks ago before I traded the truck on my new SD. Would not hold a charge more than 24 hours. Cost was about $200. When it was young it was awesome but that slowly started to wain.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
The old saying you get what you pay for definitely applies here. I have run optimas in my daily drivers and off road toys (both red and yellow tops) for several years now and they have never let me down. Extremely durable and plenty of power. I know you said you don't want to spend over $100 so my only advice in that case is get the highest CCA you can for the money. IMO cheap batteries will always let you down somewhere.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 380
Likes: 1
I have Interstate batteries in everything I own. My super duty has interstate megatron plus batteries.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Well I opted for the bxt-65-850. $150 out the door (with core charge, $15 core fee). The 36 month free replacement/ 100momth prorate is what sealed the deal for me. Its the best warranty I could find on a battery around. Local dealer had the bxt-65-750 and the 850's in stock. Opted for the 850. Can't hurt to have the extra oomph if ever needed.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Western New York
Motorcraft batteries have always been very reliable. Other brands have done alright for the price but overall I have always been able to depend on Motorcraft. Exide also makes a good battery for a few less dollars but they need replacing a little sooner. Some of the Interstate batteries are ok too but I havn't found a way to be sure which ones will last. Much of their popularity is the sales and distribution system which puts company salesmen in charge of stocking parts stores and repair shops. It gets their batteries in front of the customer without much effort from the outlet. I used to plow a lot of snow and the electric pumps put quite a strain on the system and after several failures I came back around to Motorcraft and surprisingly the dealers were not much higher in price than the parts stores.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 80
From: New Jersey
I have good luck with Auto Zone Gold and Advance Auto Gold batteries. The Motorcraft in the truck has been alright but I think an upgrade to the battery might be order since these modern trucks really like to light up every time you open a door. I needed a jump back in September to get the truck turned over. The Explorer has a Advance Auto Gold. No problems. The wife's old car had a Auto Zone Gold that lasted for 8 or so years. The only battery I would not buy is an Interstate. No luck with them in various vehicles.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,152
Likes: 4
i've got a local place to me called Square Deal Batteries and they sell refurbished batts, as well as (apparently) new factory blemish batteries for a discount. they sell refurbs with different warranties as cheap as 25 bux plus tax and core (6 month warranty). 12 month is like $35, 24 month is like $45, then the factory blemish "new" batts with 24 month warranties for idk how much. i just got a 6 month refurb today for 28 out the door for my scion xB. works great. i got 2 factory blemish new ones from them for my 2004 6.0L f350 for i think 50 each. so far no issues. they have a 2 year warranty though if they do.
maybe check around for a place like that in your area? as long as you have warranty on whatever you go with that gives you peace of mind.
the $28 dollar battery i got today for my daily driver scion will most likely last me at least 2-3 years. that IMO cannot be beat for under $30 bux! for the most part i've had good luck with this place. they've been around a long time and always busy, so if their batts weren't lasting, they wouldn't have the customers that i see at their shop everyday i don't think.
maybe check around for a place like that in your area? as long as you have warranty on whatever you go with that gives you peace of mind.
the $28 dollar battery i got today for my daily driver scion will most likely last me at least 2-3 years. that IMO cannot be beat for under $30 bux! for the most part i've had good luck with this place. they've been around a long time and always busy, so if their batts weren't lasting, they wouldn't have the customers that i see at their shop everyday i don't think.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
i've got a local place to me called Square Deal Batteries and they sell refurbished batts, as well as (apparently) new factory blemish batteries for a discount. they sell refurbs with different warranties as cheap as 25 bux plus tax and core (6 month warranty). 12 month is like $35, 24 month is like $45, then the factory blemish "new" batts with 24 month warranties for idk how much. i just got a 6 month refurb today for 28 out the door for my scion xB. works great. i got 2 factory blemish new ones from them for my 2004 6.0L f350 for i think 50 each. so far no issues. they have a 2 year warranty though if they do.
maybe check around for a place like that in your area? as long as you have warranty on whatever you go with that gives you peace of mind.
the $28 dollar battery i got today for my daily driver scion will most likely last me at least 2-3 years. that IMO cannot be beat for under $30 bux! for the most part i've had good luck with this place. they've been around a long time and always busy, so if their batts weren't lasting, they wouldn't have the customers that i see at their shop everyday i don't think.
maybe check around for a place like that in your area? as long as you have warranty on whatever you go with that gives you peace of mind.
the $28 dollar battery i got today for my daily driver scion will most likely last me at least 2-3 years. that IMO cannot be beat for under $30 bux! for the most part i've had good luck with this place. they've been around a long time and always busy, so if their batts weren't lasting, they wouldn't have the customers that i see at their shop everyday i don't think.