What are the best batterys I can get for my 97 powerstroke

 

I've been wondering that myself.

I'm looking into Optima batteries, but the Sears folks didn't have a diesel application in their listings.

I'm going to try the Optima website this weekend.

Post any information you come up with. I'll bet that some folks would like to know what others are finding.

 

Get the most CCA available (Cold Cranking Amps). Optimas are very $$ but will take a lot of punishment (vibrations). Heck you can even mount them upside down.

I use Deka brand batteries exclusively for over 10 years with no premature failures. It's a matter of personal preference and warranty IMO. Just get the highest CCA.

 

I have had good luck with motorcraft. The originals lasted 5 years and about 150,000 miles. Plus they have a good warranty

 

my 97 still has the original batteries up here in canada to boot, guess what my next set of batteries will be........

 

I don't have a valid option on batterys, but just a comment on replacing them. I have always been told to replace both never just one. Good luck.

 

I have had DEKA go bad, Sears and Motorcraft. It seems to be a crap shoot. I think there are only 2 or 3 battery companies anyway. The DEKA and Sears went bad after a few years. But last week one of my trucks had the Motorcraft go bad after only 9 months. They do have a good warranty. Replacement for 3 years, than pro rate. So I got 2 new ones free. I think I have electric gremlins that eat my batteries. Everybody seems to have good luck with batteries that I have problems with. Maybe I am not such a good reference for batteries.

 

i'm still on my originals in my 97. replacing them before winter though. dont want to press my luck. probably going with motorcrafts again, but i'm a bit curious about the optimas.

 

I'm going to press on to see how long I can strech mine just for curiosity, I was doing some engine cranking the other day and they still have alot of reserve left in them, we'll see what thier like when its -30c

 

dave just an fyi for ya. Your batteries will keep going and then one day BLUH. They will just say enough is enough. Ask me how I know. I had motorcraft but at the time the warranty wasn't as good. I went with autozones duralast. I wanted optimas but the money facter jumped in there. The ones I got are 3 or 4 year free replacement and pro-rated after that. The next ones will be optimas. I have abused them too and they keep holding up. Be absolutely sure you have the posts and cables as clean as possible when putting them back on. Also be sure to get the terminals tight, if not your truck will not start. I forgot one time to tighten them after installing a new alternator and a day later ...no start. I wasn't to happy I thought I had a major problem until I happen to grab the negative terminal on one of the batteries and what do ya know. It started after being recleaned and tightened back down.

 

I am an avid supporter of deep cycle batteries, and IMO I Prefer Trojan batteries. The deep cycle batteries will hold up to repeated rundowns and recharging where a regular starting battery will not hold up as well.
If the battery manufacturer follows the BCI guidelines they will rate their deep cycle batteries in Amp-Hours rather than CCA. If you see CCA ratings on a battery that is supposed to be deep cycle, they probably don't want to compare their batteries apples to apples.
Deep cycle batteries will put out a LITTLE less peak amperage, but you will melt the starter before you run the battery down.
If you are unsure of your battery condition, check them two ways, first with a load tester, and second with a hydrometer. If they pass both tests they are probably OK. There are many battery protection sprays out there, but in my experience white lithium grease in an aerosol can works as good as anything, and has other uses too. Remove any corrosion using a baking soda and water mixture, don't mix it to the point that it is thick though and NEVER let it get down in to the cells.
Keep the tops of the batteries clean and only add distilled water.
Follow these suggestions and your batteries will last for a long time and serve you well, regardless of who makes them.

 

yeah, I service my batteries every fall making sure the cells are full and charged, then load test them.

just recently I had my GPR take a dump so I really worked the batteries showing no signs of weakness while cranking.

I do have one battery that is not quite as strong as the other but still is acceptable.

Thanx for the advise, I'll keep that in mind, I'll start throwing my home made welder/jumper cables in the truck when I venture out and my buddy with his deisil is always in the area. I only use the truck 2 or 3 times a month and I have a back up car to boot so it aint so bad

 

Another vote for Deka/Carquest. But you must spend the money and buy good ones
I got 10 years out of a set in my 87

 

My wife and I joined CostCo (Nampa, ID) awhile back shortly after it opened.

The batteries I purchased yesterday are Kirkland and have 900 CCA. The cost for one is $61 and change each (I bought two, diesels, you know?) and that includes the core charge, ($5 each). I haven't installed them yet. It rained today.

I've never used the Kirkland brand of batteries and I'm not even sure who makes this brand. They're 100 month batteries, so I thought I'd give them a try and see what happens.