Hello all,

Looking to the collective wisdom of the forum here for some help. I've started noticing electrical issues with my '17 F250 with a 6.7l in it. Locks not unlocking properly, tilt/telescope wheel and seat not adjusting when I start the truck, radio is off when I start the truck and it was on earlier, DTC's for the turn lamps and headlights and they're fine, little things like that. I've had the batteries tested and they are showing as bad (less than 60% of usable life left). Looking to replace them before they give up the ghost on me. While I would love to put some Optima's in to replace the OEM batteries, I can't afford them. I've found the Diehard Platinum AGM and Duracell batteries as well as the Duralast batteries, Wondering what a good replacement battery (preferably AGM) would be for the OEM batteries. I would appreciate any insight into some quality replacements for a reasonable price.

TIA for any help.

Keith

 

I tried the DieHard Platinum AGM, mine failed at 47 months and were showing signs of issues for about eight months prior (warmer temps extended the life). For the cost, I guess I was expecting 5-6 years at least. Since those didn't seem to last any longer than flooded, I went with Interstate MTP-65 batteries. So far so good at 36 months. Batteries are like tires in my opinion, owners get various results. QC, vehicle use, region, etc..

 

I've had good luck with the Autozone Platinum AGM's. Had them in my 2011, and just put them in my 2016. Optima makes good batteries, but cost prohibitive in my opinion. These autozone batteries come with 3 year warranty.

Duralast Platinum AGM

 

Just buy a regular battery. There AGM batteries are basically use for vehicles that have to put them in places where they can be put on there side. They are expensive and don't last any longer than a lead acid battery for the price. i have mostly Motorcraft batteries in all my cars. If you dont want those than Interstate are known to be great batteries. Yje thing is you want a fresh one. You need to go to a place that sells a lot of batteries so you will be sure that the battery hasen't been on the shelf for a year. Batteries are like tires. They get old just sitting.

 

Learn to read the code dates on batteries, I've seen year old batteries on the shelf at Sam's Club and they sell a lot of them.

 

I dont disagree with this thought either, except that every regular battery I have had eventually leaks on the top, corroding the crap out of everything. Thats really the only reason I go AGM. the autozone version is $199 the regular ones start at $139-$159, so not enough of a cost savings to deal with the mess.

 

I would use just about any battery over the Optima, there is no quality left in Optima batteries in general since the the change to manufacturing outside the US and there substitution of lead alloy in place of pure lead. There is only a couple actual pure lead AGM batteries on the Market and that would be Odyssey and Northstar which are the same company. There is a reason why these batteries are over 20lbs heavier than the stock units.

 

Whatever your battery budget might be, incorporate a good battery charger of sufficient size to quickly charge and equalize two large automotive start batteries wired in parallel. A good charger is not expensive and will pay for itself many times over.

 

Northstar/x2power are good. I like to buy batteries with the longest warranty and the most locations I can return them.

 

I recently replaced both of my batteries with OEM Motorcraft BX-65-850.
$154 each after taxes.

 

I just get the regular Interstate batteries from Costco.

 

Update on this issue:

After testing the batteries last night and one showing 470 CCA amps available and the other showing 424 CCA available, I started looking online for batteries. I found that Batteriesplus had a Duracell AGM Group 65 on their site with a 10% discount, so I ordered two of them and they offered free installation. I got a call this morning at 8am and it was Batteriesplus telling me that they only stock one of those batteries. He didn't know why the website let me order two of them for next day installation. He would have to order the other battery and it would be next week before it was here. I cancelled the order. I was looking at that battery because they offered a 4 yr replacement warranty on it. That was the best I could find for $200 each. I then checked Sam's Club and they had the same battery with only a 3 yr warranty. I went to the store to be sure they had two of them and bought them right there. Total out the door (after getting my core charge back) was $367.01 and I installed them myself. I tested the batteries after removing them and one tested at 460 CCA and the other at 317 CCA. The new batteries are Duracell AGM group 65 batteries rated at 750 CCA. Hoping they hold up for a couple of years as I don't want to have to pull them back out for a long time. I'll keep the collective informed as time goes by. I almost went with the Diehard Platinum AGM's, but the closest store that had two of them was over 30 miles away. And they were $30 more each. Saved $60 and had new batteries installed in less than an hour including picking them up.

Thanks for all the insight on the batteries. I would love to be able to afford the Northstar/x2Power batteries or some of the other high end batteries, but I think these will do fine for me. We'll see if being a little tight makes that much of a difference.

 

When purchasing 2 batteries to wire together in parallel to make a large single battery it is preferable to have them share the same date codes and the rest of it. Maybe, the one battery in stock on hand has been sitting on the shelf for a year and has permanent sulfation, when paired with a brand new one made a month ago they will never equalize.

Mismatched "cells" will mean one battery hogs all the charging current and never quite gets there, and the other one constantly overcharges and outgasses excessively. Mismatched "cells" are always a big no no. Don't misunderstand, it will start the truck but there's no reason not to do this correctly since you're the one shelling out the cash.

 

I was having electrical gremlin issues. Dealer replaced leaking drivers side battery 7 months ago. Just replaced mine today with Northstar X2s. Cost 618.00 for both but well worth it

 

No more leaking and corrosion like the OE batteries...

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