The easiest thing to do regardless of what you drive, or what battery is installed, is to periodically measure the charging voltage and the battery state of charge at the battery posts. This pays dividends.

If the alternator isn't doing its job, or the vehicles grounds & cables are loose or corroded... There will be problems guaranteed. Even the most heavy duty, expensive battery will fail & fail prematurely. Get all the performance and longetivity you paid for with your dollars.

 

Batteries are a funny thing, sometimes they last and last and other times they fail quickly. I follow a couple of Ford diesel techs on Youtube and they replace the factory batteries fairly often, especially for leaking.

I would expect a pretty lengthy service life from the factory batteries considering you have two, and possibly two alternators to charge them. But who knows. I would also recommend the Odyssey batteries if you are willing to shell out the extra dough. Best battery I've ever owned.

FUN UNRELATED FACT: My 2002 Kubota L4310 tractor still has the *original* Kubota 600CCA battery...starts fine, even in near 0-degree weather for plowing in the winter. I'm amazed.

 

Larrymac, the auto zone batteries have a 5 yr pro rated 2 year free replacement warranty.

 

I have a Interstate battery in my 68 Mustang and the car sits most of the time but it's still good. Starts the car every time. I think its more than 7 years old

 

Just curious to wear you're located at? Picture from Lafitte a couple of years ago..we go down there a lot to see some friends.

 

You are looking at my subdivision in that pic, am on one of the private canals. Who are your friends here?

 

We go and eat at Jan's all the time...I grew up with Gary and still were good friends until his death a few years ago. Know the Coulon family also.

 

That's cool that you guys happened to find out you live / visit the same area because of a Ford truck forum!

 

Not the first time it's happened...I grew up not far from the Lafitte/Barataria area and use to fish in that area often. Moved about 10 yrs ago a little further away. Time to roll..taking the wife to Houma. Catch ya'll later!

 

I am on the other side, I think I did some work for an older fella in a grey brick house named coulon, but it has been a couple of years, can't remember. Have you tried des famillies, good food and atmosphere.

 

Over the years we've tried all the restaurants down that way. Des Famillies..Boutte's..Voleo's but like Jan's the best. We live in Lafourche Parish now in the Mathews area. I grew up on the westbank and still have property in Gretna. Lived in Belle Chasse for 32 yrs.

 

When I took Basic Training in the Army there were two identical twin brothers named Pellegrin in our company, from Houma, LA (which they would always remind everybody) is south of New Orleans. It was hilarious at first because not everybody got the word, so they would get yelled at a lot. "Didn't I just tell you to go report to KP??!!" "That was my brother Drill Sergeant!"
"Yeah right Private!!" Rinse lather repeat.

Ok so ya had to be there.

 

 

Sams club batteries are made by East Penn Battery co. which is the same company that makes DEKA batteries which are OEM for Caterpillar.
I talked to a driver at east Penn delivering to Sams and asked him if the different names on these batteries are as good as DEKA and his reply was all EAST Penn batteries are made with the same quality regardless of name.
Yes the AGM are better cost more as most things of quality do, will take more abuse than wet cell technology.
My 2011 F-350 6.7 PS has the OEM batteries still...
Tip: I recommend putting those treated felt washers over each battery post when doing a replacement of batteries. They can be purchased at WalMart for .99 cents for a pair. Use Arm & Hammer Baking Soda mixed with warm water to clean the corrosion off cables and battery posts.
This solution does a good job of cleaning all acid off top of batteries.

 

DeKa is made by EAST PENN Batteries...it is what Caterpillar uses in all their Equipment as OEM.
Sams Club batteries are made by EAST PENN. with varying names like Duracell (same quality as DEKA) I was told by the truck driver for EAST PENN.