I have a 1994 F-350 IDI, my first truck, that I got in June. I was told by the PO that he has replaced one battery : as the truck was dead (that was probably cause by the prodigy brake controller being wired in incorrectly and so it was always on ) I fixed that but when I start the truck-especially after it sits for a few days- the battery gauge really jumps around and then comes to rest pointing slightly high (what would be sse on a compass). Im HOPING that it may be that the other battery needs to be replaced :sneaky: and not the alternator

New battery: Everstart Maxx (CA: 1000, CCA 900)
Old Battery: Duralast (CA: 1000, CCA: 850)

So my question is what should I replaced the Duralast with? My boyfriend says I should replace it with a NAPA battery since they make motorcraft batteries, but I don't see a NAPA battery that matches the CA and CCA of the old battery. Also, is he correct that I should stay with NAPA, or ???

The truck is used for pulling a horse trailer, and gets used at least every two weeks for at least 30-45 minutes.

 

I always go with the optima batteries. theyll hold a charge for a long time evem when sitting and like most batterys draining and recharging will kill em quick thats not the case with the optimas deep cycle

 

Well, before replacing the battery or alternator, take them to your local parts store for testing. I don't know what you have for parts stores in New Jersey [use O'Reillys if you have one] but try to find one where they test them out front where you can watch the test, and make sure the alternator is tested at least 3 times. I've seen bad alternators test good the first or second time, but then will fail the 3rd.

Wherever you go, do NOT take them to a shop to be tested unless you have no other choice. And if you end up going to a shop make sure you can watch the tests occur.

As for a replacement battery, I personally don't put my faith in a brand name. Any battery can be a good battery as long as there's nothing to constantly drain it. I've had cheapo batteries last me 5 years. I would try to keep a battery w/ CCA at 900 as that could be the difference on a cold winter day in NJ.

You might also look into replacing your battery cables. Bad battery connections can wreak havoc and make it appear something is wrong when it's actually just fine. To see if they're good, simply cut into the insulation just enough to look at the wire- if the fibers are dark, the cable is bad. If the cable is good, then clean the connections really well and see if that makes a difference.

 

Both batteries are around the correct capacity. Rapid battery drain and then sitting discharged can ruin a battery so may be a good idea to get both batteries checked. A lot of places will do this free.
However your problem may be due to a bad/dirty connection. I would lift all the battery wires off and clean them and the battery posts, refitt and make sure they are tight.
Follow the pos. battery wire to the fender mounted starter relay and check that the connections there are clean and tight.
Follow the neg battery ground wire to where it bolts to the engine and make sure it is clean and tight.

 

Are thes batteries hooked up in parallel or do they use diods? If they are in parallel, you should probably replace both batteries with identical batteries. If one is not in as good shape as the other, it will drain the good bad trying to charge the other one. I've heard that you can also have the batteries charge each other back and forth (oscillating) and this can be bad for batteries as well.

 

I second the Optima battery. It is definitely a better battery, lasts longer, no acid leakage (corrosion), holds a charge longer.

 

yea you might spend a little bit extra for the optimas but their definitally worth it