When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've had this truck for 2 years. The batteries that came with it appear to be reconditioned. After letting the truck sit for a week or two it doesn't have enough juice to start. It's really kinda unpredictable. Pretty frustrating when you have something you use not all that often and when you need it you can't depend on it. One thing I've had a hard time with is the battery cable connections coming loose. The lead was worn down on the outside where the nuts tighten the clamp. My Dad came over and we were talking about it and he suggested I take a file and file away some lead on the inside of the clamp where the bolt passes through. I cleaned up all clamps, filed them so they fit tighter and replaced a clamp on one wire. I installed 2 Costco Interstate batteries and it cranked and started faster then I've heard it the whole time I've owned it, ever after I would charge both batteries. This is such a relief. I've been putting off dealing with this for a long time, spent an hour on it and it's amazing. Just thought I'd share.
Those bolt on battery terminals are 'Emergency' repairs. It will continue to allow oxygen/moisture/corrosion into the cable, and fatigue and loosen over time.
Replace it with a crimped terminal or cable end and proper insulation.
Also, the 'ECONO POWER' interstates are reconditioned cores. They sell for $30, I consider them throw away batteries that I use when I don't need anything reliable.
Those bolt on battery terminals are 'Emergency' repairs. It will continue to allow oxygen/moisture/corrosion into the cable, and fatigue and loosen over time.
Replace it with a crimped terminal or cable end and proper insulation.
Also, the 'ECONO POWER' interstates are reconditioned cores. They sell for $30, I consider them throw away batteries that I use when I don't need anything reliable.
I plan on buying a crimping tool and replacing the terminal end. I've been looking and most of the cheaper hydraulic ones don't have AWG size dies and don't have very good reviews.. I saw an indent crimper that looked good. Can indent crimps be used on the terminal ends? What size wire is the drivers size negative?
At my Interstate battery distributor, the 'Econo Power' are just returns that are re-sold for about half price, and they have a much shorter warranty. They are not 'reconditioned' other than cleaning the terminals and slapping a sticker on. I have run them for years, and have gotten as much as 7 years out of them. I have two in my truck right now and paid $65 for the last one. At that time, they tested the other Econo Power one in the truck from 2013 and it tested out well, so we left that one along. Yeah, I'm cheap, and I have 6 vehicles, so spending a ton a new batteries all the time is no fun. I keep my 7.3 on a maintenance charger at all times, and I'm convinced that helps the batteries last.
My local NAPA actually has those same marine/military style terminals that come in the Amazon kit for about $12 each. I need to fix my passenger side positive terminal...kind of a jury rigged mess from some previous owner with bare copper wire showing and everything. Need to figure out which crimper tool I want. Those can get a little pricey.
I bought this one, it’s a beast! It’s close to 24” long, think crimping leverage and probably weighs 4-6 pounds. It crimped the 4/0 lugs effortlessly. The nice thing about this style of crimper is you can do crimps on the vehicle assuming that there’s room for the crimper The Intent Crimping Method eliminates the need to select (guess) die size and there’s no dies to lose.
That indent one doesn't look too bad. Is there any technical advantage of using the ones with 6-sided dies. The guy in the other "Making the cut" thread used one of those. Certainly looks very professional when does right with the hexagon shaped crimp.
Most of the reviews I have seen on the hydraulic crimpers with the dies is that they don't last long. They also have their dies sized in MM. I'm thinking I'll spend the $25-30 more for the mechanical indent one and it'll last me the rest of my life. Not really sure how many times I'll use it though...
That indent one doesn't look too bad. Is there any technical advantage of using the ones with 6-sided dies. The guy in the other "Making the cut" thread used one of those. Certainly looks very professional when does right with the hexagon shaped crimp.
Picking the correct die size is often a guessing game because they’re not labeled by cable size. The indent crimper I bought is labeled by cable size and and can be micro adjusted, has a 5 year warranty and creates a solid crimp. The bottom of the picture shows a Cross section of a crimp using the indent crimper.
I figured for $60, if I use it only a few times it’s paid for itself.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
How do they recondition a battery?
