Battery

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Mar 25, 2017 | 05:05 PM

smithm31

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Joined: Mar 2013

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Battery

My 1997 F-350 7.3 has two batteries. I think the right one or passenger side is the main battery , and it is the one with a bad cell. What is the role of the left or driver side battery? The left one checks "ok", but wondering if I need to replace both. Batteries have gotten expensive like everything else and I don't want to buy two if I don't have to. I will replace the right battery with a very good heavy duty one, but I would like to know what the left one does other than supplying more power for starting. Thanks, Mike

Mar 25, 2017 | 06:10 PM

farmert

Lead Driver

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 5,097

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From: western SD

The batteries are tied together to make one BIG battery. The glow plugs, along with the starter draw a lot of juice. It is recommended to replace the batteries in pairs, as the weaker battery will pull the new battery down to it's level. If the old battery's load test is close to the new one, you might get by for a while, but they both should be changed.

Mar 25, 2017 | 07:23 PM

z31freakify

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Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 11,266

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From: Las Cruces New Mexico

I know it's a big investment, but look long term, you replace the one that failed buy a new one then the the other fails, so you buy another battery, then this other battery gets damaged due to the first battery failing and so on and so forth. Buy in pairs save money long term.

Mar 25, 2017 | 08:04 PM

97-psd

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 4,571

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From: knoxville, tn

I feel your pain. I just did this last month. If it helps, I bought mine at tractor supply. Then I put the one that tested good into my tractor. Two birds, one expensive stone