Batteries
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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Batteries
It looks like it's time for a pair to go in the Excursion. Just replaced the pair in my F350 a couple months back. I started using Walmart Everstart Maxx batteries back before they started limiting their warranty. It seems like they are only lasting 2.5 years now on the last couple sets, which is okay I guess since they will provide another pair for a 5 year period. I looked at Sam's Club which has the Duracell batteries for right at the same price and same warranty...$140 for 3 years. They both have purdy much the same specifications except the cranking amps...not cold cranking amps as that's the same at 850...are about 45 more (1,000 versus 1,045). The Duracell units are sealed versus the Everstart units have access to the individual cells, but I think they're both flooded cell units. I also see in my research that Everstart is produced by Johnson Controls, which have plants in both the U.S. and China...guessing the made in China is why the longevity has gone down, but wondering if still the case with Trump's recent tariffs on China. The Duracell units seem to be produced by East Penn here in the U.S. from what I can tell for the automotive units anyway. I've read reviews on both and as usual I take them with a grain of salt, which brings me here for a more specific diesel application...
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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I don't see where they do here in the Houston area...maybe you're in a different part of the country that does. What's your experience with them longevity wise?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,065
Likes: 1,415
From: Oologah, OK
me too....
there are only 3 manufaturers of batteries in the USA, or at least that was fact 2 years ago.
it don't matter what brand you get,
I get the best wally world has and keep them on a Battery Tender, year round.
that way, they stay at 13.3 all the time, ready to go, hot or cold.
all of our trucks have Parasitic Draw, some more than others.
mine pulls the batteries down to 12.1 in about 3 weeks, that is less than Half charged, it is dangerously low.... and will cut the life in half if you don't keep them on a battery tender.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 955
Likes: 103
cars are about 3 years old a d still doing well .
solar is 10 , and also fine .
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Cargo Master
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I'm a fan of buy once, cry once... I don't mind paying for quality as long as it is in fact reliable and doesn't leave me hanging.
There is a strategy in something like a Walmart battery, but I felt that replacing the batteries every few years (if I was lucky) was too much of a pain in the ***. I am now at 8 years of solid service from NorhtStar AGM batteries, but they are no longer available and their sibling the Odyssey Extreme AGM costs an arm and a leg.
We travel a lot with our truck and I did not want to be 3 hours from the nearest Walmart and have a dead truck. I was cursed many years ago by the FLA battery gods though, so as long as you don't have the same curse I do, you might be fine with a CHINA FLA.
Some words from our moderator Y2KW57 on battery manufacturers.
There is a strategy in something like a Walmart battery, but I felt that replacing the batteries every few years (if I was lucky) was too much of a pain in the ***. I am now at 8 years of solid service from NorhtStar AGM batteries, but they are no longer available and their sibling the Odyssey Extreme AGM costs an arm and a leg.
We travel a lot with our truck and I did not want to be 3 hours from the nearest Walmart and have a dead truck. I was cursed many years ago by the FLA battery gods though, so as long as you don't have the same curse I do, you might be fine with a CHINA FLA.
Some words from our moderator Y2KW57 on battery manufacturers.
Originally Posted by Y2KW57
Deka Intimidator AGM batteries; Duracell branded AGM Automotive batteries; Caterpillar branded Calcium Grid Flooded Lead Acid batteries; certain types and sizes of Napa branded batteries; some types, but definitely not all, nor the majority of Maxx Ever Start Walmart Calcium FLA batteries; some types, but definitely not all, nor the majority, of Die Hard (Die Hard brand is now owned by Advanced Auto) AGM batteries; and quite a few other automotive batteries... are Made right here in the United States of America by East Penn Manufacturing Company at a 520 acre facility in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Odyssey VRLA TPPL AGM batteries; Hawker military ground vehicle, artillery, submarine, and aircraft batteries; ABSL spacecraft batteries; Batteries Plus X2 Power branded batteries, Northstar Batteries, Alpha telco batteries; and other private label industrial batteries using TPPL AGM plate construction... are Made right here in the United States of America by Enersys, at two different plants in Springfield, Missouri, another plant in Warrensburg, Missouri (formerly the Northstar plant), as well as in other USA facilities, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Horsham, Pennsylvania; Bellingham, Washington; Chino, California; Commack, New York; Hays, Kansas; Longmont, Colorado; Richmond, Kentucky; Sumter, South Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and Suwanee, Georgia.
Odyssey VRLA TPPL AGM batteries; Hawker military ground vehicle, artillery, submarine, and aircraft batteries; ABSL spacecraft batteries; Batteries Plus X2 Power branded batteries, Northstar Batteries, Alpha telco batteries; and other private label industrial batteries using TPPL AGM plate construction... are Made right here in the United States of America by Enersys, at two different plants in Springfield, Missouri, another plant in Warrensburg, Missouri (formerly the Northstar plant), as well as in other USA facilities, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Horsham, Pennsylvania; Bellingham, Washington; Chino, California; Commack, New York; Hays, Kansas; Longmont, Colorado; Richmond, Kentucky; Sumter, South Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and Suwanee, Georgia.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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How do they last in your diesel though...
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 310
So another observation I see is that the Walmart Everstart Platinum batteries are AMG, but have less cca at 750 and 775 (there's 2 versions for some reason). These do have a 4 year...versus 3 year...warranty, but wondering if the extra $40 a piece with lower cca is worth it...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 955
Likes: 103
sorry , I don't have a diesel.
I have an 11 to 1 compression, 460 in a 76 highboy , an 11 to 1 347 in a mustang, a power hungry 03 M5 ...best I can help sir .
I have an 11 to 1 compression, 460 in a 76 highboy , an 11 to 1 347 in a mustang, a power hungry 03 M5 ...best I can help sir .
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 908
Likes: 290
From: E TN
Last battery I bought for a diesel was a WM AGM battery, it's actually a battery listed for a Dodge truck that is installed on a Ford diesel tractor. All of my WM batteries work fine and I've got them in a half dozen vehicles and a couple of tractors and 2 trailers 3 lawnmowers and a racecar. I also have a Noco battery boost box that I carry on trips, use it on a lot of other people's stuff.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 525
From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
In past battery threads, I've seen claims of excellent life from a variety of batteries both flooded or AGM from wally mart, motorcraft, Deka/ duracell, odyssey/ B+ X2.
I got a good 10yrs from my diehard platinum AGMs which were odyssey extremes and they were treated poorly....ie, short in town drives(never reaching full charge), sitting for weeks on end, never used a maintainer, etc. They showed a sign of weakness(the winter I replaced them) so I replaced them with Batteries plus X2 AGMs; which are Enersys/ Odyssey extremes. The diehards probably just needed to be fully charged but I just wanted a new set. I think I have 3-4 yrs on the X2's and they were treated poorly until about a few weeks ago, when I finally hooked up a maintainer to them.
on a side note, I thought WM batteries were Deka, maybe that's just the AGM's, IDK. Deka is a good option but they don't lat as long as an Enersys. I've heard mixed info...some get a few years and some do really well. I don't have any personal experience really. I did put some Deka flooded batteries in my slide in camper and didn't put them on a maintainer...they need to be replaced now after 3 yrs but that was my fault
I got a good 10yrs from my diehard platinum AGMs which were odyssey extremes and they were treated poorly....ie, short in town drives(never reaching full charge), sitting for weeks on end, never used a maintainer, etc. They showed a sign of weakness(the winter I replaced them) so I replaced them with Batteries plus X2 AGMs; which are Enersys/ Odyssey extremes. The diehards probably just needed to be fully charged but I just wanted a new set. I think I have 3-4 yrs on the X2's and they were treated poorly until about a few weeks ago, when I finally hooked up a maintainer to them.
on a side note, I thought WM batteries were Deka, maybe that's just the AGM's, IDK. Deka is a good option but they don't lat as long as an Enersys. I've heard mixed info...some get a few years and some do really well. I don't have any personal experience really. I did put some Deka flooded batteries in my slide in camper and didn't put them on a maintainer...they need to be replaced now after 3 yrs but that was my fault
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Cargo Master
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I just saw one of those highboy's cross the auction block and sold for $58k. What year Mustang?