Batteries, Revisited

[BIG JOE]

I've always talked UP, G/Cell (Optima's). Now I'm not so sure. The 2 yellow top 850cca Batts I had, both crapped out on me. Had'm for 34 of their 36 month (Sears) life expectancy.

Lately, it's been in the 20s at night here in CenCal. I began to notice my truck being slow to turn over & fire up, I plugged him in.. same thing. Yesterday morning he turned over 'bout 8 revs, the batteries Croaked.

Hooked up the Booster, fire him up and scurried to Sears.

The Manager at Sears sez: the don't carry G/Cell type batts anymore cuz they've had to many "Bring Backs" due to failure to hold a charge. Premature failure. Said I was lucky, most >Ford< Diesels with G/Cells don't last as long.

Specifically: Diesel applications with 2 Batteries. They just don't hold up... what with Glow Plugs and then turning over a High Commpression Diesel engine, (kinda his words but made sense to me) Who knows how many times. Not to say ALL G/Cells are bad, but "Bring Back" data has made Sears decide to go to, primarily an AGM type Battery, for anything other than a Lead Acid type.

Anyway.. They Warantied (not much) the G/cells, I payed the diff, for 2, 960cca, Group 65, AGM type Die Hard-Platinum's.

Thought I'd pass it on.

Now, This is just ONE Sears guy, but for those of you that are in the New Battery Buying mode ? Maybe ask a few questions.. before you buy ?? What ever Type you buy

Joe

I forgot how fast my 2K will turn over.. With Good Batteries.

 

[Lynden-Jeff]

I hear people saying how good yellow tops are on the net all the time, but from the people I know that have used them have always said they crap out in the 2-3 year range no matter what. They arn't a long term battery. My stock 04 ford ones crapped out after 3 years of heavy use, and I just replaced with a couple 850CCA exide subzeros (it gets cold here) at $100 each compared to yellows at $190 each. I don't mind paying $200 every 2 years to replace the batteries, aslong as my truck starts.

Cheers
Jeff

 

[iracemine]

duralst gold tops. 1year and counting, so far no probs.

 

[Zookie400]

i / people i know around here have never had good luck with ANY optima battery, red yellow or blue.

 

[bushpilot]

good info...i by all accounts im probably livin' on borrowed time
(still got the stockers)...

thanks for saving me some coin <but be yall payin' it forward>,
ill mark the optima off my wish list.

 

[DaveBen]

You know what? I am sitting here and reading all of these entries on batteries, while I am thinking "What is wrong with Motorcraft batteries?" I am not too hard on my batteries, so I will be getting two more Motorcraft batteries when my stock batteries dye. Almost 3 1/2 years on the factory batteries.

Dave

 

[Lynden-Jeff]

You know what? I am sitting here and reading all of these entries on batteries, while I am thinking "What is wrong with Motorcraft batteries?" I am not too hard on my batteries, so I will be getting two more Motorcraft batteries when my stock batteries dye. Almost 3 1/2 years on the factory batteries.

Dave

Price! Good batteries but no way im paying $220 a pop when I can get a good battery for $100.

Cheers
Jeff

 

[95_stroker]

Price! Good batteries but no way im paying $220 a pop when I can get a good battery for $100.

Cheers
Jeff

I put two Motorcrafts in my 95 about 4 months before I got rid of it, total price for TWO batts was about $250.00

 

[BIG JOE]

Don't take me wrong here Guyz'n Galz. I'm not Bashing G/Cells here. Just passing on what One Tire & Battery guy said. But if Major retailer no longer carries an item.. for whatever reason.. I feel like it's something to pass along to folks like us that have yer, NOT SO EVERYDAY pick-ups.

It was my first go'round with Gel Cells. Did a bit of reading/research before I bought'm. For the Money I payed, and the service I got from'm.. I'm not impressed and won't go that way again.

These AGM Platinum's are: Free replacement for 36 months, Warrantied for 100 months. That's what made me pay attention. 9 years worth of product guarantee/warranty ? I'm Okay with that.

 

[Buffs F-350]

You may have just used the wrong battery I had a red top in my old bronco for over four years. With the power draw I had on that I was suprised (1000w system,off road lights etc. Killed three alternators but that battery never let me down and thay dont leak. The red top is a starting battery yellow is a deep cycle and the blue is a marine grade. The only other battery I ever had any luck with is interstate even the motorcrafts in my truck are starting to leak.