Group Size Battery

There is a small version 4 d

 

all our old logging machines use 2 batterys,closest battery to the starter gets the most workout,,crank it over a long time,then feel the battery clamps,the closest batter cables will be warmer,if both batterys should be changed say every 4 years,once a year we would switch position of batterys,seems they wear evenly then,

 

I was too cheap to replace both of my batteries on my truck... I just slapped in one Optima battery, insulated the 2nd set of clamps, and it seems to happily keep up by its lonesome...

I recently had a catastrophic failure of my electrical system when my alternator exploded, it literally came out of my truck in pieces, so I upgraded to a 3G alternator, and haven't had any electrical problems since

Some day, when I'm not poor, I'll put two batteries back in. But the one battery does fine, even in the dead of winter... as long as I plug the block heater in.... but I'm from Minnesota, nothing likes to start when it's -40F :P

 

"The one battery does fine" (except that one time when the alternator exploded catastrophically?)

 

Replacing both batteries at the same time doesn't really solve the point of this thread. I replaced both my batteries when I first got the van in 2012. But one failed in 2014, and now another failed in 2017. It's not like they fail at the same time. I'm trying to find a way around both batteries, or if I have to keep more than one, how can I get an indicator that one is going south.

 

The Ford 6.0 vans had both batteries mounted on the side of the frame under the side door.

 

I'm considering upgrading my van to run one of these batteries. They match the current size of the batteries I'm using, but are coast-guard-spec and USA-made. 60-month warranty too. GPL-27T - Lifeline Batteries or http://lifelinebatteries.com/product...ries/gpl-31xt/

If I bother with a 2nd battery, it would be solely for the auxiliaries in the van and it would be mounted under the body.... but the big question is, where is the space?

 

If your current batteries are the same capacity of these ^^^^^^^, then that could be part of your problem. They're undersize (wrt. CCA capacity). You need 2 x 750 CCA at least, or ideally 2 x 850 CCA. Most of the high-capacity group 65s are 850 or 875 CCA each.

 

Deep cycle are built different then automotive (starting) batteries. I'm not sure you'll be happy with them.
Deep cycle are meant to provide a smaller current over a long period of time, then charge back up. This is good for running lights and other things on boats and RV's.
Starting batteries provide a LOT of current over a short period of time. Which is useful when starting an IDI.

 

There are quite a few people running a single group 31, not overly expensive either.

 

With all my accessories, I made the switch to deep cycle back in 2012. I prefer them over cranking batteries, because in LA, I'm never really in a situation where it gets cold and need some major cranking ability. Also, with my 3G alternator and Photovoltaic panels on top of the van, I can run my fridge, lights, and other accessories pretty easily.

 

Marine or "deep cycle" batts would be great, the problem is all things being equal, for an equivalent or suitable CCA they are fricking huge and usually never fit. They do need to be discharged now and then though:

"Avoid shallow (less than 10% DoD) discharges of deep cycle batteries because lead dioxide builds up on the positive plates. In other words, you should discharge a deep cycle battery between 90% and 20% Depth-of-Discharge."

http://www.batteryfaq.org

The reverse is not true though, an automotive start battery pressed into deep cycle duty will get smoked in just a few cycles. $$$

 

That is unrelated :P The alternator had 200K+ miles on it. It stopped working, but I kept driving because I had to, and it exploded half way home, lol. Managed to make it, though, even though the alternator exploding took out my vqcuum pump, too... Was quite the adventure, lol.

 

LOL "I wanna party with You"

 

Anyone wanna spot me $1599 for a 28lb Lithium Ion 12V Battery? https://www.lithiumpros.com/product/...m-ion-battery/






1,200 Marine Crank Amps (Eq)
CA (Pb Eq) 1200
Watt-Hours 1024
Amp Hours 80
Charge Volts 14.4
Reserve Capacity 184
Continuous Amps 100
Product Size 13″ L x 6.81″ W x 8.43″ T