Best Batteries PART 2

[00strker]

i would have to say walmart they will straight up give u a brand new if it reads bad within 72 months no ?s asked and like 99psd said they have some pretty big ones with high c cold cranking amps for a fair price and there is always a walmart around.. oreilys or autozone wants to pro rate they battery which is bull ****

[snakyjake]

Consumer Reports rated Group 65 #1 Napa Performance Select 8465.

No one makes anything good 100% of the time, so I choose specs, warranty, customer service, and ease of return.

[mrnecsteve]

Originally Posted by sevenmalards

Okay I have to buy new batteries and I'm undecided as to what to get. I have replaced mine with the Motorcraft two years ago and one is already bad. I've heard bad things about Optima for the 7.3. What about Die-Hard, Interstate, etc..
Give me some guidance!

If one battery is dead that quickly,I would do a little investigation to make sure your charging system is charging within voltage specs.

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Last edited by mrnecsteve : 07-22-2008 at 05:38 AM.

[01excursion7.3]

Figured out this spring that one of my batteries were dead, the one I didn't replace when I bought it. So all winter my truck started without a problem, unplugged, off of one yellow top. Thats enough proof for me. I just bought another one for my car, when I sell it, I'm yankin the yellow top out to replace the dead one in my ex.

[breuer69]

I'd go with MotorCraft or Duralast, both of which are made by Johnson Controls.

I'd run away from anything made by Excide.

[MrJohnWayne]

I've always run Interstate's and have never had a problem with them!

[mrnecsteve]

Originally Posted by 01excursion7.3

Figured out this spring that one of my batteries were dead, the one I didn't replace when I bought it. So all winter my truck started without a problem, unplugged, off of one yellow top. Thats enough proof for me. I just bought another one for my car, when I sell it, I'm yankin the yellow top out to replace the dead one in my ex.

Its good that it was wintertime when you were doing the starting off one battery. It's the internal heat buildup in a battery during a start that warps the lead plates and kills it ,especially if your truck takes a few extended cranks.
If a starter motor requires 300 amps to start and you are dividing the load from two batteries ,you're disipating 150 amps thru the "source resistance" If you then accomplish the same task with one battery ,you are then dissipating 300 amps thru the source resistance. Trouble is ,the internal heat buildup is MORE than DOUBLE ,because power dissipation is NON-linear....its
squared (not doubled) as a function of current x (times) source resistance. Just about any new battery can supply the current required to start our diesels. Trouble is ,the internal heat buildup goes thru the roof after 30 seconds of cranking. This is why two batteries are supplied.This is also why two good batteries ,(not one strong and the other weak) is essential.

IF I were setting up the ULTIMATE battery setup, I would first ,move them out from under the hood . I would purchase two larger marine grade batteries and run a positive conduit to just under the passenger compartment. (For negative return the frame rails are quite hefty for ground connections, front and back.
The advantages are: (1) marine grade batteries are better built and are capable of deep cycles,especially if you are able to utilise larger cases and yes, there are marine diesel rated batteries.
(2)The batteries would be in a cooler enviornment.
(3) Our trucks are front heavy and light in the rear..150-200 pounds from front to back might be a great thing for traction and lower center of gravity.
disadvantages: cost and easier to steal ! Battery changes would require a floor jack
If I have insprired anyone ....please post pictures when you're done. TOOO much work for me!

[Banshee34]

I get mine at Les Schwab. Convenient and if something happens, they fix it!

[jblagg]

optima ar cool but so dang expensive

[sevenmalards]

Originally Posted by mrnecsteve

If one battery is dead that quickly,I would do a little investigation to make sure your charging system is charging within voltage specs.

Yeah I ran a voltage test and load tested the charging system. Everything checked out okay.

I guess I'll stick with Motorcraft. My good friend works at a local Ford dealer and I can get them at his cost.