Batteries
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 331
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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?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
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.
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.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 1,613
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.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
+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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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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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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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 292
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From: Raleigh
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.
EDIT: I just bought a new alt from DB Electrical. Great prices! Just an FYI in case you need one.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Pflugerville, tx
+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.
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
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
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.
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.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
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?
Do you have a warranty on that battery?
