Battery blues
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 94
Battery blues
Hey what batteries are y’all running my truck sat for a little bit when I was out of town just got back bad Battey cell on my machine....going to be the 5th and 6th Bosch batteries under warranty. My truck came with optimas at the end of their lifespan but they are pretty expensive, my 450 had motorcraft lasted from 2008-2016 then after they gave me bad batteries I brought them in they confirmed they were bad but said the batteries must be installed in the truck to replace them. After getting the 450 CCLB there they broke a hood ram and tried to blame it on me...very frustrating.
so what are y’all running and for how long also anyone running Marine batteries? Thanks
so what are y’all running and for how long also anyone running Marine batteries? Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
I'm running Sear's Gold, so far they've been great. I'd stay away from the Optima's, their quality has substantially declined since moving production to Mexico. Odyssey & Costco, both make good quality batteries too.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 914
Likes: 4
I got a little over 2 years out a pair of Autocraft Golds. To be fair, the first year was with a failing alternator, so I probably shortened their life. Advance warrantied them and I got 2 new ones last year.
I've never heard of any place requiring they be IN the vehicle. In fact, I would have fought them on that.
On the other hand, when mine went, I did drive to the store. They tested them. One tested bad, but the other, despite being near totally dead ( less then 10v), did not test bad at first, and they made me sit in the parking lot and wait for about an hour for them to try and charge it. Eventually the charger declared it dead, and they gave me 2 new ones.
I've never heard of any place requiring they be IN the vehicle. In fact, I would have fought them on that.
On the other hand, when mine went, I did drive to the store. They tested them. One tested bad, but the other, despite being near totally dead ( less then 10v), did not test bad at first, and they made me sit in the parking lot and wait for about an hour for them to try and charge it. Eventually the charger declared it dead, and they gave me 2 new ones.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
I tried a couple sets of the Everready Maxx ones from Walmart but never got more the 2-2 1/2 years out of them. So I ponied up and went with a set of Interstate Megatrons. They have been going strong almost 3 years so far. Did have one replaced under warranty but that wasn't an issue with starting or anything. Had a small crack and was corroding the battery cables. No issues getting it replaced.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 31
From: Northern Illinois
Bought my F250 in Dec 08 and had Napa something in it but the date was not marked. These batteries were still in it over the winter of 14-15 They wee tired and due for replacement so I got 6.5 years out of them plus what the previous owner had. I really should have replaced them that fall though.
I have good luck on Farm and Fleet batteries but you are limited on store locations. Have a "value" walmart that is 2 years old also. I think it comes down more to if they sit unused without a charger on them for long periods of time. The more they sit the faster they seem to fail.
I have good luck on Farm and Fleet batteries but you are limited on store locations. Have a "value" walmart that is 2 years old also. I think it comes down more to if they sit unused without a charger on them for long periods of time. The more they sit the faster they seem to fail.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,348
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I finally got tired of running traditional batteries and bought a set of Northstar NSB-AGM-65 batteries. They are pricey, but I suspect they will perform much better over time than the lead acid ones.
I counted the beans and compared a set of traditional batteries with the NSB's and they came out to roughly the same cost. Although, I shouldn't have to go through the trouble of replacing the NSB's halfway through and also shouldn't have to fight with slow cranking batteries. To me, this peace of mind and being able to count on the batteries was worth the small amount of extra cash up front.
In factoring the cost comparison, I evaluated expected lifespan, replacement warranty, CCA's, historical performance data, etc... They were within $20 or so of each other in the end.
I counted the beans and compared a set of traditional batteries with the NSB's and they came out to roughly the same cost. Although, I shouldn't have to go through the trouble of replacing the NSB's halfway through and also shouldn't have to fight with slow cranking batteries. To me, this peace of mind and being able to count on the batteries was worth the small amount of extra cash up front.
In factoring the cost comparison, I evaluated expected lifespan, replacement warranty, CCA's, historical performance data, etc... They were within $20 or so of each other in the end.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 87
From: North Carolina, Raleigh
dude,
them some spendy batteries for sure.. be interested to see how they hold up over time. How long have they been in now??
happy thankgivings to you and all sarg..
them some spendy batteries for sure.. be interested to see how they hold up over time. How long have they been in now??
happy thankgivings to you and all sarg..
I finally got tired of running traditional batteries and bought a set of Northstar NSB-AGM-65 batteries. They are pricey, but I suspect they will perform much better over time than the lead acid ones.
I counted the beans and compared a set of traditional batteries with the NSB's and they came out to roughly the same cost. Although, I shouldn't have to go through the trouble of replacing the NSB's halfway through and also shouldn't have to fight with slow cranking batteries. To me, this peace of mind and being able to count on the batteries was worth the small amount of extra cash up front.
In factoring the cost comparison, I evaluated expected lifespan, replacement warranty, CCA's, historical performance data, etc... They were within $20 or so of each other in the end.
I counted the beans and compared a set of traditional batteries with the NSB's and they came out to roughly the same cost. Although, I shouldn't have to go through the trouble of replacing the NSB's halfway through and also shouldn't have to fight with slow cranking batteries. To me, this peace of mind and being able to count on the batteries was worth the small amount of extra cash up front.
In factoring the cost comparison, I evaluated expected lifespan, replacement warranty, CCA's, historical performance data, etc... They were within $20 or so of each other in the end.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
I just got two Interstates from Costco this week. $92.00+- each, best buy for the money IMO. They are 40 month replacement warranty. I thought that TSC carried DEKA batteries, which get rave reviews, but when I went there they now have Exide and they don't have 850 CCA. Interstate batteries from an Interstate dealer have 36 month replacement warranty and 96 month pro-rated but I didn't price them, I expect them to be about $150.00 apiece. I came close to getting those Bosch batteries at my local parts store, now I'm happy that I didn't.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,348
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
The batteries have only been in the truck a couple of months. It sat for about 3 weeks and fired right up like I had just driven it. The temperature was about 45 degrees and I was very pleased with their performance.
I will update as needed, but that may not be for another 5 years...
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
What is your alternator out put? Don't just look at the result (batteries bad), look for what may be causing this.
"5/6th Bosch under Warranty"..... Me thinks it is not just the 'batteries'.....
"5/6th Bosch under Warranty"..... Me thinks it is not just the 'batteries'.....
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,348
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
All grounds have been checked and cleaned. All positives have been checked and cleaned.
I am hopeful that the new AGM batteries will last and provide a great service to the truck when I call upon them to do so. I know it was a big cost to swallow, but when I go to start my truck, I want it to start because chances are I don't have a couple of hours to mess around with batteries.
As Brother Les mentioned, your batteries are doomed to die off quickly if your charging system is not up to standards.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Interstates from Costco. They make it just under 4 years, then it's time to go again. This time might be different, though - I replaced my starter. I saw a significant difference in how low the voltage dropped while cranking - the rebuilt starter is much faster while not dragging the batteries down.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 250
From: North Texas
Batteries are steep now days especially having to buy 2 at a time. Advanced Auto tends to run 20% sales frequently, someitmes 25% off so I try to score my batteries there to save a bit. 850cc with 3yr warranty.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 94
Thanks for everyone’s reply yes Carl in the truck they said after we watched them test the batteries say they are bad in front of us they said sorry they need to be installed.
the AGM is deffinetly the best option and it I didn’t order about 350 in truck food already this morning i would go that route. My friend has one in his BMW still sitting for months and it will turn over straight away he just needs to pull the engine so it can drive down the road at speed lol
pepboys is testing them now////“charging them” yea right w a starting voltage if 2.1 and they can’t find my info in the system.
If that goes south I’m leaning towards AAA as I’m at the end with these crappy batteries every time they break it’s too much time for me to lose. 129.99 each and if there’s an issue AAA comes onsite and it won’t count as one of my 4 calls nor will the installation of the battery
the AGM is deffinetly the best option and it I didn’t order about 350 in truck food already this morning i would go that route. My friend has one in his BMW still sitting for months and it will turn over straight away he just needs to pull the engine so it can drive down the road at speed lol
pepboys is testing them now////“charging them” yea right w a starting voltage if 2.1 and they can’t find my info in the system.
If that goes south I’m leaning towards AAA as I’m at the end with these crappy batteries every time they break it’s too much time for me to lose. 129.99 each and if there’s an issue AAA comes onsite and it won’t count as one of my 4 calls nor will the installation of the battery