need some tips on truck batteries

Johnny

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Hi there, Im needing to replace the batteries on my diesel pick-up. I figured with the amount of guys working in northern BC and Alberta on here that its a good place to ask for input on what to get ? Im looking for decent cranking amps (900 or so), can survive -30+ and have a reasonable warranty & survive lots of logging roads. Thanks in advance
 

sirkdev

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Don't fool yourself on the cca thing I got all all hung up on that and figured the more the better. Well several batteries later I was talking to the rep for a battery company calling his batteries crap etc. He explained to me that a certain battery size like your diesel for instance will likely have a 2 750cca batterys. Well I replaced my 750's with 900's and apparently what they do to compose the batteries differently is acid/lead ratio so with a 900cca of the same physical size of a normal 750 there is less acid more plate. When all the acid is spent battery is toast hence a much shorter lifespan.

PS I have had the best luck with interstate lately. But really who ever is the most convenient and will honor a warranty is who I buy from.
 

Indy245

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I have had good luck with UFA batteries, replace the last two diesel trucks batteries with them and have had zero issues. YMMV. I have not had great luck with the red tops, I have been through four.
 
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Summitric

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don't fool yourself on the cca thing i got all all hung up on that and figured the more the better. Well several batteries later i was talking to the rep for a battery company calling his batteries crap etc. He explained to me that a certain battery size like your diesel for instance will likely have a 2 750cca batterys. Well i replaced my 750's with 900's and apparently what they do to compose the batteries differently is acid/lead ratio so with a 900cca of the same physical size of a normal 750 there is less acid more plate. When all the acid is spent battery is toast hence a much shorter lifespan.

Ps i have had the best luck with interstate lately. But really who ever is the most convenient and will honor a warranty is who i buy from.

kinda what happens......... Trouble is everyone is looking for bigger cold cranking amp batteries, and the vehicle is designed, through computers and alternators to sense certain voltage and amperages. Thus if a huge battery, for example an 1000cca, is replaced where a 650cca battery was to be, then the charging system will always be fooled, because it was designed around a certain amperage battery, and continually undercharge the bigger battery and can shorten the batteries life as a result......... Battery warranties also play a part in purchasing. Most batteries now have a 2 year free replacement, and then prorated for whatever the battery warranty is..... About 1/2 way through the battery warranty, the prorate is about what a new battery can be sold for.......

Hope that helped a little
 

hippiekiller

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Can't go wrong with Group 31's of any reputable brand.....I beleive most passenger diesels can fit these, I only really need one in my cummins till -20...good for 900 cca+
 

79TXL

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Canadian Tire's warranty is a joke! Believe it or not, I have had the best luck with the Walmart Energizer series. I've had one that sits in my 79 Ford all winter, only gets fired up once or twice a winter, never a problem. Had 2 Optima's, either one lasted a year.
 

DaveB

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Best battery is TWO batteries. I have a stock size NAPA in the 2010 1/2 ton, then a Painless Wiring isolator to a Optima Yellow Top. It automatically boosts itself...LOL.
 

Beels

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Can't go wrong with Group 31's of any reputable brand.....I beleive most passenger diesels can fit these, I only really need one in my cummins till -20...good for 900 cca+

Not true. I know for a fact 31's are too tall to fit in a Ford or a GM. I sell AC Delco and Exide and have had the best luck with the Delcos.
 
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