Batteries again...I can't believe this - Page 3 - Diesel Forum

ebierke · 11-26-2009, 01:06 PM

It's the starter. I have had to replace my batteries every 1 1/2 to 2 years, and I am getting so fed up with it. When you have brand new batteries and your engine won't start, it's your starter. I am on my third starter now, and probably my 6th set of batteries in 11 years.

Peace2Peep · 12-05-2009, 09:56 AM

Maybe I'm missing something here in this thread, but when I have had only Ford Motorcraft batteries in my trucks and my cars and tey have been the BEST batteries with the least amount of problems...period!

Why do some of you brothas think yur original battery lasted so long? Better quality than the aftermarket(in most cases) I have heard, though that there are two levels of Motorcraft quality and you can request OEM from your parts dept.

I have been running 2000+ watts of stereo HID lighting and all kinds of other stuff...

I have owned:

Walmart(crap in a case)
Duralast Gold(pretty good)
Optima(great when you get a "good one")
Interstate( "Same as optima" )

I have heard about an obscure but powerful brand(odyssey?) that supposedly kicks butt, but have no personal experience to share about it.

Graupp · 12-05-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peace2Peep

Maybe I'm missing something here in this thread, but when I have had only Ford Motorcraft batteries in my trucks and my cars and tey have been the BEST batteries with the least amount of problems...period!

Why do some of you brothas think yur original battery lasted so long? Better quality than the aftermarket(in most cases) I have heard, though that there are two levels of Motorcraft quality and you can request OEM from your parts dept.

I have been running 2000+ watts of stereo HID lighting and all kinds of other stuff...

I have owned:

Walmart(crap in a case)
Duralast Gold(pretty good)
Optima(great when you get a "good one")
Interstate( "Same as optima" )

I have heard about an obscure but powerful brand(odyssey?) that supposedly kicks butt, but have no personal experience to share about it.

My original FOMOCO batteries lasted only two years, no better than the ones I bought from Sam's Club....
Besides, I'm almost positive that one of the 5 or 6 battery manufactures make the batteries for Ford....

Same crap, just a different label....

Graupp · 12-09-2009, 08:45 AM

Well, I was back to Sam's Club the other day, and stopped by the Tire & Lube Dept, and talked to the guy who replaced my batteries last month....
He said, that after I left, the next day, the manager check the batteries on the bench, and didn't find anything wrong with them...
I asked him if they could check my charging system, and he said they didn't have the equipment....
With all the battery problems that I've had I'm begining to believe that it's my alternator not putting out enough voltage....I checked it with my little hand held VOM, and I got 12.4 volts...
My belief is that it should be putting out 13-14 volts....
I think I'm in line for a new alternator....
My understanding is that the OEM unit is a 6G small cage unit, which puts out 110 amps at full RPM's and only 60 amps at idle
I was thinking about getting one of those specially made 6G with a large case, which puts out 160 amps ....National Quick Start has a Heavy Duty for $279 with multiple 70 rectifier diodes...
I just want to get off this battery merry-go-round.....5 sets of batteries in 9 years

444-4D · 12-09-2009, 10:48 AM

The OE alternator should be big enough. It's probably just not working correctly. You should read over 14 volts, on a voltmeter connected to the battery, at high idle.

86GLHS · 12-09-2009, 08:58 PM

I have been through 3 sets of batteries in the Excursion. The F250 just got it's fourth set. The first time they were replaced was with Napa's best battery. Within a year one was bad and the next year the other was was bad.

In 2006 bought 6 Motorcraft batteries.

Consumer reports recently did a battery test. The best buy battery went to the Kirkland Costco battery at $75.

ajohansson · 12-10-2009, 12:19 AM

I have been through the alternators hence my way earlier post in this thread. If you dont have a voltmeter in your truck you have no idea what the alt is doing. Check out this thread.

Alternator choices

If I were in the market today for an alternator I would get this one...

DC Power Engineering Ford High Output Alternators

Bruce1954 · 10-05-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce1954

Best value I found was AZ gold at 850CCA 8 Yr War./3 Yr free replacement
Paid 75 ea. two years ago now I see they are $100!

So far so good. If they fail I will just have to pay the pro-rate.
I figure they are good for 4 years anyway.

However I did just add note on OutLook to check them on October 1st of 2010 about a week b4 the 3 years is up.
Thanks for the reminder guys!

Bruce

Well my computor/outlook notes did not survive he last year and neather did the batteries had to get two new DLG-65s last night. I had until the 13th for a free set. Next time I will have to pay, but it will still be pro-rated on the price of $75 each so it will still be a great deal.

OE set lasted about 18 months these laste ALMOST but a few days short of 3 years.

AutoZ DuraLast Gold batteries are 3-8 year waranty

Bruce

aw0473t · 10-05-2010, 11:03 PM

Just my .02

I purchased 2 batteries at Wal-Mart in July, 2008. EverStart MAXX 65-N. I live in Cincy, so they offer the "N" for Northern version. High CCA claimed (1000/700) or something like that. I have been very happy with those batteries. Made sure they were "fresh", stamped 7/08 (not sittin on shelf too long).

At the time, I was diagnosing a starting problem. Turned out to be the starter, an internal failure, that ultimately resulting in the starter coming apart (broke the housing). Took that starter out and replaced with an AutoZone starter (2 bolt, they didn't have the 3 bolt in stock). That starter had lifetime replacement warranty, so I figured I'd take my chances.

I have had great luck with the batteries, and the starter. My 7.3 turns over faster than any 7.3 I've seen. Those batteries and starter really did the trick, it turns over fast and starts quickly.

Worst thing for batteries is fast discharge. If your starter has internal damage (shorted windings) you will draw tons of current and discharge the batteries quickly. Also, the heat in the engine compartment is hard on the batteries, so I keep mine wrapped with the "battery blanket". The high compression of diesel engines will eat batteries quicker than a gas engine; but so far I've been pleased with this setup. And Wal-Mart has a good replacement warranty. So consider the EverStart MAXX-65N if available.

AND if you're eating batteries, have someone check the alternator output (for charging), and the coil resistance on the starter (for discharging). Both items will wear out over time, so if you're unsure, have them checked.

Jeff

lance1955 · 10-06-2010, 05:55 PM

When I replaced my OEM batts in early 03. I had a long talk with the battery guy at my local Decka Distribution Center. He took me to school on batteries. He said that the diesels with the heat of the engine; combined with the vibration just kill the batteries. He suggested going to AGM batteries. So two Decka AGM batteries were installed early in 2003. Finally after 2 starters, 1 alt they gave the ghost in Dec of 2009. I logged about 170K on the batteries and 6 years of driving. When they went out, I replaced with the same kind. So well see if they go the distance again. They were not cheap the first go around and battery prices have jumped quite a bit. But Ive seem to have had excellent luck with this Decka batteries. Maybe it was just pure luck. But I though I would pass it along.

Pharmer · 10-06-2010, 08:29 PM

Build date on my 03 was 10/2002, 110k miles on original batteries. Replaced alternator twice. Maybe I should consider new ones before winter.

lance1955 · 10-07-2010, 09:17 PM

Either that or keep praying. LOL I would. Nothing worse than changing them when it a lovely hot day of -10. Thast when mine took a crapola. Needless to say ah, I was not too thrilled.

Graupp · 10-08-2010, 09:11 AM

Well the only thing that has happened in the last year, since Sam's club changed out my batteries again back then, and I changed out my alternator to a oversized unit [160 amp with 7 diodes] manufactured by AlternatorParts.com, is that Sam's Club/Walmart has changed their policy, and will now only 'pro-rate' their batteries, and not warranty them like they had previously done..
What I mean was that Sam's Club changed my batteries out 3 times, at NO cost to me, because they failed within their 2 year warranty cycle....

No more,,,,,,now they are all prorated....

Bruce1954 · 10-09-2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graupp

Well the only thing that has happened in the last year, since Sam's club changed out my batteries again back then, and I changed out my alternator to a oversized unit [160 amp with 7 diodes] manufactured by AlternatorParts.com, is that Sam's Club/Walmart has changed their policy, and will now only 'pro-rate' their batteries, and not warranty them like they had previously done..
What I mean was that Sam's Club changed my batteries out 3 times, at NO cost to me, because they failed within their 2 year warranty cycle....

No more,,,,,,now they are all prorated....

That is why I went with the DLG I figured I had a fair chance of a free set with a three year / eight year warranty.
And only $150 for the set and AZ stores almost wherever I travel.

jimmy · 10-10-2010, 01:22 AM

I just did Johnson Controls/Wal-Mart batteries and they have 3 year free replacement NO prorated period as their top battery. The batteries are labeled "3 YEAR FREE REPLACEMENT". The last one I bought for a John Deere 6400 about a year back is labeled "3 YEAR FREE REPLACEMENT, 84 MONTH WARRANTY".
The auto shop manager told me they dropped the pro-rated warranty back in the summer, dropped price a few dollars and went with free warranty replacement plan to get rid of arguments over 6-7 year old batteries when the receipt was lost or had bleached out to a blank white piece of paper.
I have gotten 8 years out of my diesel truck batteries several times but the 06 F450 sat for a few weeks without being driven with a 12V/ 120 V AC adapter plugged in that killed the batteries COMPLETELY dead back in the spring. I think that dug them an early grave as they got sluggish to crank engine over the other day after I had lights on working on trailer lights. The running lights were on 30 minutes and the truck just barely lit off.
I charge all my vehicles and equipment batteries twice per year and add only distilled water when I check electrolyte levels.
My 7 year old lawn mower and one of my farm tractors that is 10 years old have their original batteries.