05 F350 XLT 4x4, 85,500 miles. Bought it new, March 2005, replaced OEM batteries in September 2006 with the Duralast Gold 850 cca batteries. Truck is now in the shop for an unrelated fuel injector pump issue and the service tech told me today (2years, 3 months later) that the batteries were testing at 450 cca and would not last long. In their defense, i had noticed they were starting to get a little sluggish at startup so I don't think the shop is trying to pad their bill and they are still under warrenty so it will not be costing me cash to replace them. I am however at a bit of a loss as to why I am looking at my 3rd set of batteries in less than 4 years. Should something be tested for irregular voltages? the tech did held a poor view of the OEM batteries but doesn't seem to think that something could be wrong with my electrical system.
I don't treat my truck badly and try to stay on top of all the maintenance and have had very few issues with any part of the truck.
Any thoughts?

 

Why did you replace the motorcraft battery to begin with? I just went 7 years on my BXT, replaced it just as a precaution.



Built to last huh?

 

I went six years on my originals.
I'm still on my second set, basic Carquest brand that I had to get because I was in a thicket. But two years and they are still strong.
I would not let him replace them, have them tested outside after a full charge and make the call for yourself. What is your system charging at?
If ya need, Sears will probably have a sale coming up on their Gold batteries. They get great reviews.

 

We had car batteries lasting over 12 years.
Costco is selling batteries with 100 months warranty. No question ask.

 

You need to check the charging voltage...optimum is 14.6-7..They make regulators for higher voltage for amulance and other vehicles.. I have one cause I gots the current draw big time..

Dick

 

My 2002 F350 still has the original batteries.

 

2GSD, does that truck ever sit for extended periods of time without being lit?

I have seen batteries die in vehicles that are driven infrequently. I keep Battery Tenders on all my vehicles that are not driven daily, I am a believer in them.

Secondly, do you remember if the dates on the Autozone batteries were fresh when you purchased them?

 

That is pretty amazing. I just replaced the original Motorcraft battery in my
'02 Ranger as well. It would still light, but it was getting lazy. 193,000 on the clock though, obviously it gets driven regularly!

 

I'd guess its a combination of high under-hood temperatures and an overcharge going on.

 

I have a 2005 F-350 diesel and just replaced the OEM batteries last year because the engine was starting to turn over slow. My truck sits alot so I do use a battery tender. They do make a difference in battery life.

 

Disassemble, clean, and reconnect the battery connections. Also check that the connection at the starter is tight, that the two ground wires that run to the block aren't corroded, and the nut for the charge wire on the alt is tight. Check your charging voltage at idle and cruising down the highway. Idle should be higher then 13 volts once the GP's shut off and 14.5ish while cruising. A little lower is ok, but higher will cook the batteries. It could also be that your starter is getting weak after all these years. Are you running the original one?

One of my OEM batteries lasted 7 years before biting the dust and the other one is still kicking. It had enough umph to start my truck on its own this summer when its two replacements bit the dust. If on the the new OEM's had lasted as long.

 

A normal automotive battery can only be fully discharged 10-12 times. If it is kept clean, not overcharged and never fully discharged, you can get a decade or more of service out of it.

 

Anything above 14V starts boiling the batteries over long run.
The ideal is 13.5-13.7 volts.
Per my experience heat doesn't affect battery life. The 12+ years old battery I mention was in our SUV, mounted on the back of engine bay with lot of engine heat and we used the SUV for our boating, when the truck was regularly parked on 120-130F parking lots, with some trips to Vegas where parking lots in summer average 140-150F.
I don't know if the batteries on my Superduty I replaced a year ago were original 11 years old, but the Kirkland replacement was 50-some dollars a piece and with 100 months warranty I don't think anybody will beat the deal.

 

Not true. All the latest battery tech needs over 14v. 14.5 being optimum..Some manufacturers are even touching 15v..Back 15 years ago I would agree with you.
13.5 won't keep your battery up to charge. All fords are 14.4 or over. Many places online you can read up on it..

Dick

 

That might be what kills the batteries in them. My Superduty new alternator barely touches 14v.