Battery???

[nkruse]

Hey guys! I was just throwing this out there for anyone to make a comment on their preference.I have been looking at replacing both batteries and am thinking between interstate and optima. They are both 30 month free replacement batteries. Optima seems cool because of regular battery with abit of deep cycle so you can use it without engine and not have to worry about jump starting or trickle charging. Interstate I have heard is good also but where I work we have had issues with them from time to time. Let me know what you guys think!Thanks!

[gassernomore]

MY is what ever batteries you get are: replace both at the same time, make sure the cca are at least above what your vehicle minimums are, and reserve capacity is high as well. I use AutoZone Golds my self. No Problems at all with them!

[flagmanruss]

Suggest putting the biggest size that'll fit in the tray.

[volkswagon]

I agree with Russ. I actually had to cut one end of the trays to fit mine in but the clamps still work. I'm pretty sure I used group 31's.

[Mopar1973Man]

Size is not going to matter much... What matters is the CCA you get and how you maintain your batteries and cables. When I got 10 years from stock batteries and cable and still had no real problems. So cramming a larger battery in really isn't going to gain you much. 2 ways to look at batteries "Amp Hours" and "Cold Cranking Amps"...Amp Hours is typically a measurement for RV or house batteries in how much power a battery can supply for a period of time. Cold Cranking Amps is how many amps the battery is capable of producing at 0*F... Also remember if you buy a 750 CCA batteries that number doubles because the way they are wired in paralell. So you would have 1,500 CCA... Like my cheap WalMart Batteries are 875 CCA so I've got 1,750 CCA. It all about how much power you got on a cold morning to twist the truck over.So even though you might cramp a group 31 it might only be 600 CCA... But who knows... :shrug:Then as for sealed batteries I'm not fond of them at all. There is no way to add distilled water back into the batteries. Like Optimas etc... So no matter what a battery will get gassy at one point or another and vent moisture it part of the life of a battery. That fact will never change no matter how much technology they throw at it. Every time you discharge a battery fairly deep and then allow the truck alternator to charge it again think about it 120 Amp of charging power it going to get gassy for sure.

[volkswagon]

Well I don't really understand batteries too well but the battery store where I got mine said they would have more capacity than group 27's and I liked that idea. They won't crank any faster but they will crank longer.

[volkswagon]

Just looked at mine and they're 950 cca.

[MarbleCrusher]

I used what ever Oreillys top level of battery is, i get a pretty good discount there and they have a pretty good warranty is why i went with them. Had the batteries on for right at 3 years now with zero problems-Jordan-

[Mopar1973Man]

Well I don't really understand batteries too well but the battery store where I got mine said they would have more capacity than group 27's and I liked that idea. They won't crank any faster but they will crank longer.

Might look them up and see what the specs are...

[CUMMINSDIESELPWR]

i got walmart batteries, havent had any issues for a year and half now!

[DezrtRat]

When I got 10 years from stock batteries and cable and still had no real problems.

Wow! you guys are lucky. Living in southern Arizona (extreme heat), we are lucky to get 3 years out of a battery (usually 2). Some do better with the red/yellow top Optimas but they only get about 5 years max.

[Mopar1973Man]

Wow! you guys are lucky. Living in southern Arizona (extreme heat), we are lucky to get 3 years out of a battery (usually 2). Some do better with the red/yellow top Optimas but they only get about 5 years max.

I've also got the extreme heat here in Idaho. Riggins, ID can reach 110-120*F in the summer time. But now toss in the extreme cold of heading towards New Meadows, ID and seeing -25*F... As for the Optimas the down fall is the loss of electrolyte from the cells once they dry out they are done. This is a down fall to any sealed / maintenance free batteries. Like my lawn tractor has so called sealed maintenance free battery. I peeled the label off that said "Maintenance Free" and under it was plastic plugs. Carefully I managed to lift all 6 plugs out to find the electrolyte level was down where you could see the top of the plates which explained way the batter was weak. So now adding distilled water to it and charged it back up for 24 hours on a 2 amp charge and she good as new again. Heck even my house batteries lasted 15 years... (Good ol' maintenance batteries are wonderful!)

[shanebob]

i know i changed my stock batteries after 6 years! i bought a set at les schwab down in boise with 995 CCA and have run them ever since. i have been impressed with them and there alot cheaper than optimas. i suppose it all comes down to your preferance and price range really