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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 08:31 AM
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Batteries

What batteries do you use, I should be getting new ones this weekend! I currently have interstates and am very unhappy I bought them new a year ago! And they are already dieing, they can vary crank my truck! So what do you use and how do you like them?
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 08:57 AM
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First, if your batteries are failing within a year, you have other problems.

What electrical load are you running?

Do you have unusually high loads?

Is your alternator on the way out?

Do some basic alternator diagnostics, voltage, etc.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 09:02 AM
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I love Optima Yellow Top batteries, they are a little pricey but the seem to last forever.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 09:25 AM
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I used to praise the yellow MAXX batteries from Wal-Mart because of their 9-year warranty. However, they've changed it so it's only 7 I believe now. And they don't have the selection they used to have. But what they do have tend to carry more CCA's than other batteries. Thankfully I don't need new batteries yet, but I have an interstate (that seems to be fine) and...I don't recall what the other one is. But either way, I will end up shopping around when the time comes.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 09:51 AM
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+1 on the post that you have other than battery problems. Take it (the truck) back to where you got the battery (s) and have them load test your system and check the alternator. You have a charging problem or something that is pulling the battery down while it is not running.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 09:54 AM
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Have the alternator bench tested as well. My alternator passed the test when it was on the truck but failed every time when it was bench tested. Autozone bench tested mine and they usually do it for free
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 09:56 AM
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The only other things I have pulling off my batteries is my cb radio, and gauges that's it! I had my alt replaced withe the purchase of these batteries the alt only has 7,000 miles on it still brand new!
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 10:11 AM
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Is the cb on a switch? The alt on my truck has even less miles (previous owner replaced before I bought the truck) and it has failed. The voltage regulator is going crazy and the alt is over charging my batteries. Even though it's practically new I'd have it checked just to make sure. You wouldn't want to ruin a set of new batteries again.

EDIT: I just bought a new alt from DB Electrical. Great prices! Just an FYI in case you need one.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 10:16 AM
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Just out of curiosity, where did you buy your alternator and batteries?
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 11:12 AM
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A place that I would never go back , tire choice
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 12:21 PM
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Still on original 2003 Ford battery. But it might be time. Little red bead pops up sometimes. Had a corroded terminal which I think hurt it by being low too long.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by BPofMD
+1 on the post that you have other than battery problems. Take it (the truck) back to where you got the battery (s) and have them load test your system and check the alternator. You have a charging problem or something that is pulling the battery down while it is not running.
and check on the bench test rpm level.. the Autozone tester is 2000 rpm max.
the RPM when the car/truck engine is a 2000 is really more like 6/7000 at the alternator..

I had one that had a broken armature connector.. it was great below 2000 rpm, and dead above 3000 rpm, intermittent in between.. so it tested fine at AZ all the time.. and failed in my custom truck. (avatar)

Sam
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 02:33 PM
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Was that a "new" alternator, or a "remanufactured" alternator?

Remanufactured/rebuilt have been customer driven towards "lowest cost is all that matters" for so long that they are now notorious for being of terrible quality and reliability. Most have failure rates well over 50% in the first year. I won't touch them.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2010 | 06:48 PM
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Cranking batteries don't live long if they aren't fully charged most the time. If you have electrical loads on the battery (even small ones) when the truck is parked then the batteries are spending a lot of time in a state of discharge.

Do you have a warranty on that battery?
 
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