For those interested in the G31, there is an article in our archives with lots of good info and photos. Nothing special about the battery except for the size and the capacity to keep cranking this engines much longer than the regular light truck batteries. It is not a drop in, at least is isn't on mine, if You feel like working a few extra hours to accommodate the new larger battery then it is the right one for You. I made a new tray to hold it on the truck since the one on our trucks just isn't long enough.
Batteries took a dump, need some ideas!
- Thread starter 93f250idi
- Start date
OLDBULL8
Good Morning Ya'll.
Must have read hundreds of opinions on batteries over the years. This battery is better, no this battery is better, don't buy that battery it's crap the two I bought didn't last a year. The truth is that no one has ever said how there batteries were treated.
Long starts, run the battery down, short trip, not long enough to recharge it fully. get in, long start again, get the picture.
My alternator must not be big enough, these Ford 120 amp alternators are crap, gonna get a 3G that puts out 600 amps at idle.
These damn batteries are crap, they won't hold a charge, what could be wrong? So I had to buy two new one's, these didn't hold up either. three posts later same guy, my alternator crapped out, whats a good one to get.
On and On about batteries and alternators, which are the best ?
Well that depends on how they are used, how is your charging system (voltage regulator), what condition are your cables in, is the starter wore out drawing more amps than a normal good one, is your GP system in good shape for quick starts (less amp draw period), many starts and short run periods, specially in cold weather climates, geez I didn't know I had to check the electrolite level, on and on.
So I guess what I'm saying is no matter what battery a person buys, it's how they are maintained from the get go as to how long they will last. Sure, there is a difference in battery quality, but even the so called (high priced best ones) won't last long if used the way I described above.
But, opinions are like "bellybuttons" everyone has one.
Long starts, run the battery down, short trip, not long enough to recharge it fully. get in, long start again, get the picture.
My alternator must not be big enough, these Ford 120 amp alternators are crap, gonna get a 3G that puts out 600 amps at idle.
These damn batteries are crap, they won't hold a charge, what could be wrong? So I had to buy two new one's, these didn't hold up either. three posts later same guy, my alternator crapped out, whats a good one to get.
On and On about batteries and alternators, which are the best ?
Well that depends on how they are used, how is your charging system (voltage regulator), what condition are your cables in, is the starter wore out drawing more amps than a normal good one, is your GP system in good shape for quick starts (less amp draw period), many starts and short run periods, specially in cold weather climates, geez I didn't know I had to check the electrolite level, on and on.
So I guess what I'm saying is no matter what battery a person buys, it's how they are maintained from the get go as to how long they will last. Sure, there is a difference in battery quality, but even the so called (high priced best ones) won't last long if used the way I described above.
But, opinions are like "bellybuttons" everyone has one.
While I never ran them in my IDI, my last battery in my current truck was an Interstate, and IIRC, I put it in around 2001 or 2002. I just replaced it last year. Was a very good battery. Would have stuck with Interstate, but as mentioned in a previous thread, I don't use the truck very often. I keep it around for the rare event that I need to move something with it. So I didn't throw much money at it.
I looked before, and then saw your post and looked again. If the tech article is in there, I must be overlooking it.
31s will come real close to dropping right in ( they will if you arent picky I trimmed teh end of the tray off so it wouldn't be poking up into the batt and spaced the holders away from the fender about a quarter inch) You have to either change the ends, or better yet, it's probably time for new cables anyway if you have original ones, get some 3/0 cable and run fresh battery( battery not welding, welding cable is not shielded to resist oil and gets all flaccid and nasty when saturated with oil, nothing worse than having a flaccid cable ) cable. You get much better connection to the batts with the stud tops than with the lug tops, this is why all the big trucks run them, you wont find stud tops always getting nastied up with corrosion from loose connections, plus it makes it infinitely easier to add more external circuits to your system. If you mount the batts with the pos inboard, the terminal winds up under the recess in teh hood with plenty of clearance. strap them down with a couple of heavy duty50-75 lb rated cable ties and cut a small top mud flap to lay over the positive terminal on each side just in case you get to jumping curbs at 50mph and somehow manage to flex your frame enough to get the pos terminal to contact the hood, it won't arc ( of course by that point a zap mark on your hood is going to be the least of your worries, as you are going to need a trip to a frame shop )
) cable. You get much better connection to the batts with the stud tops than with the lug tops, this is why all the big trucks run them, you wont find stud tops always getting nastied up with corrosion from loose connections, plus it makes it infinitely easier to add more external circuits to your system. If you mount the batts with the pos inboard, the terminal winds up under the recess in teh hood with plenty of clearance. strap them down with a couple of heavy duty50-75 lb rated cable ties and cut a small top mud flap to lay over the positive terminal on each side just in case you get to jumping curbs at 50mph and somehow manage to flex your frame enough to get the pos terminal to contact the hood, it won't arc ( of course by that point a zap mark on your hood is going to be the least of your worries, as you are going to need a trip to a frame shop )
lotzagoodstuff
Full Access Member
Thanks RLDSL, do you have any pics of group 31s in your truck? My batteries are now about 5 years old, and I can get brand new 31s for $59, and there are lots of CAT and Paccar used group 31s for sale around here very reasonable, so I am really considering the switch but question the room (particularly the height).
Thanks again for being specific enough for the OBS owners looking for group 31 swap
Thanks again for being specific enough for the OBS owners looking for group 31 swap
Compu Doc
Full Access Member
I previously posted this in another thread. Instead of re-writing it I did a copy and paste:
My truck had Interstate in it when i bought it. They were about a year old and went bad 2 years later. I called up Interstate and asked them the price and warranty. The guy said the price and the warranty would be 3 years. I asked him how come they don't have a longer warranty and he told me because it is a diesel and no battery would last much longer than 3 years in a diesel.
He was right. I went out and bought Die Hard Gold's and they went bad a little after 3 years. I paid a small pro rate charge to have them replaced under warranty. When they installed the new ones the warranty starts from day one which means for the first three years free replacement up until 8 years they are pro rated. Three years later I stopped in and had them test them. They did not hold a charge if you had to crank the truck more than once. They passed their test but allowed me to swap them under warranty for the Die Hard Platinum's and paid the difference. I now have an 8 year warranty with the first 4 years being free replacement.
Do you think they will last longer than 4 years?. I could care less because if they go bad within 4 years I get free replacement and the warranty starts all over again.
So for those that like Interstate batteries, how many sets did you get replaced under warranty? I spent besides the initial set of Die Hard Gold's about $200 and that was for the upgrades to the Die Hard Platinum's in the 10 years I owned the truck. If the Die hard Platinum's go bad and Odyssey is no longer making the Die Hard Platinum for Sears then I get a full refund not of my 200 that I shelled out but whatever the battery price is at the time x2 which could be around 500.
So I like Interstate also for telling me that they would only give a 3 year warranty and directing myself to get a battery with a better warranty.
Oh and those Die hard Platinum's are a totally sealed battery meaning no battery terminal corrosion.
My truck had Interstate in it when i bought it. They were about a year old and went bad 2 years later. I called up Interstate and asked them the price and warranty. The guy said the price and the warranty would be 3 years. I asked him how come they don't have a longer warranty and he told me because it is a diesel and no battery would last much longer than 3 years in a diesel.
He was right. I went out and bought Die Hard Gold's and they went bad a little after 3 years. I paid a small pro rate charge to have them replaced under warranty. When they installed the new ones the warranty starts from day one which means for the first three years free replacement up until 8 years they are pro rated. Three years later I stopped in and had them test them. They did not hold a charge if you had to crank the truck more than once. They passed their test but allowed me to swap them under warranty for the Die Hard Platinum's and paid the difference. I now have an 8 year warranty with the first 4 years being free replacement.
Do you think they will last longer than 4 years?. I could care less because if they go bad within 4 years I get free replacement and the warranty starts all over again.
So for those that like Interstate batteries, how many sets did you get replaced under warranty? I spent besides the initial set of Die Hard Gold's about $200 and that was for the upgrades to the Die Hard Platinum's in the 10 years I owned the truck. If the Die hard Platinum's go bad and Odyssey is no longer making the Die Hard Platinum for Sears then I get a full refund not of my 200 that I shelled out but whatever the battery price is at the time x2 which could be around 500.
So I like Interstate also for telling me that they would only give a 3 year warranty and directing myself to get a battery with a better warranty.
Oh and those Die hard Platinum's are a totally sealed battery meaning no battery terminal corrosion.
No You are not, I thought it was there but it isn't I was wrong, very good thread anyways maybe the mods will put it there this time if the see it fit.
Link to it HERE
Goofyexponent
Mentally Unstable..
Must have read hundreds of opinions on batteries over the years. This battery is better, no this battery is better, don't buy that battery it's crap the two I bought didn't last a year. The truth is that no one has ever said how there batteries were treated.
Long starts, run the battery down, short trip, not long enough to recharge it fully. get in, long start again, get the picture.
My alternator must not be big enough, these Ford 120 amp alternators are crap, gonna get a 3G that puts out 600 amps at idle.
These damn batteries are crap, they won't hold a charge, what could be wrong? So I had to buy two new one's, these didn't hold up either. three posts later same guy, my alternator crapped out, whats a good one to get.
On and On about batteries and alternators, which are the best ?
Well that depends on how they are used, how is your charging system (voltage regulator), what condition are your cables in, is the starter wore out drawing more amps than a normal good one, is your GP system in good shape for quick starts (less amp draw period), many starts and short run periods, specially in cold weather climates, geez I didn't know I had to check the electrolite level, on and on.
So I guess what I'm saying is no matter what battery a person buys, it's how they are maintained from the get go as to how long they will last. Sure, there is a difference in battery quality, but even the so called (high priced best ones) won't last long if used the way I described above.
But, opinions are like "bellybuttons" everyone has one.
This is a VERY missed point as well, someone running a 1000 pound winch, with 6 accessory lights and 9 different cigarette adapter gizmos at the same time for 300 days out of a year will have his batteries last a lot less than someone like me who just uses the batteries to glow, start and then run the factory lights in my truck for 2 hours a day with a good charging system.
The Motomaster eliminator batteries in my truck were made by Exide. Under normal use, and quite a few coldstarts below 0*F, they held up REALLY well. Not ONCE did I have to charge them unless I was driving down the road with the alternator doing it's job.
BEsides, the warranty is the cat's rearend on them. If they give up in the next year, I just go pick out two brand new ones and that's it....no questions asked. I have that same warrant yon my winter tires...
Kevin 007
Full-floater
I have a set of Optima red tops in my 1990. I realize that they don't have quite the desired CCA's but I have to tip my hat to them regardless. I have drained them about 3 times all for seperate reasons(lights on, extended cranking to bleed a new IP and lift pump, and once more but can't remember how), they are about 4 years old now or older and I have not had ANY issue with them. Even after the abuse they took getting drained they still hold a great charge and start my truck with 2 GP cylcles in the coldest mornings without hesitating.
I also have an 8 year old 850 CCA Kirkland in a Mercedes diesel and its still good after 8 years of never adding water and putting up with the vibration of the diesel.
I also have an 8 year old 850 CCA Kirkland in a Mercedes diesel and its still good after 8 years of never adding water and putting up with the vibration of the diesel.
ocnorb
IDIT
I too loved the old Optimas- but the newer ones have not been very good to me. I heard that they were bought out by a big company and quality slid. That is when I found the Odysseys- they can take full discharge and come back repeatedly also. I don't have the track record yet with them- my motorcycle and ATV batteries are going on 3 years. I have fully discharged the one on my bike at least 4 or 5 times and it always comes right back.
I haven't killed it all summer- most of what was causing it was fixed this spring. (Accessory communication system was wired straight to the battery.)
BigRigTech
Diesel junky
I have Caterpillar batteries in my 92, very well made and long lasting....When I worked for Freightliner we almost never saw a warranty replacement of a Cat battery...Almost none....Can't say that for the rest I'm afraid....They aren't cheap but Cat has built them to last in heavy equipment under severe load and heavy vibration. I won't crap on the rest, I've seen some motorcraft batteries go 7-8yrs and some Panasonics too.
sandrow
Full Access Member
Believe it or not the 93 that just got totaled, had NAPA BATTERYS They lasted 5 yrs + however long they were in the truck before.I guess I.ve been really lucky the last two trucks I had lasted a total of almost 10 years and I never touched a battery except to charge them when something got left on!!
redmondjp
Full Access Member
As said above, battery life depends upon how they are treated. Keeping the batteries at less than full charge for extended periods significantly shortens their life. Unfortunately, a true battery state-of-charge meter is much too expensive for the OEMs to install, so we suffer along with a voltmeter or ammeter, neither of which will tell you anything about how full the batteries are.
If you do a lot of short-trip driving, or don't drive your truck very often, the best thing you can do is to install an on-board automatic battery charger. My favorite one is this one, the Shumacher SE-1-12S:
http://www.batterychargers.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductName=94026501A
Most auto parts stores carry these, and they are between $25-40. I have one on my truck, and spliced an old computer AC power cord onto it so the AC plug sticks through the grille. Then I can leave it plugged into an extension cord until I drive the truck again.
Otherwise, use an off-board battery charger to top off your batteries every week or two. This will make them last for years longer.
If you do a lot of short-trip driving, or don't drive your truck very often, the best thing you can do is to install an on-board automatic battery charger. My favorite one is this one, the Shumacher SE-1-12S:
http://www.batterychargers.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductName=94026501A
Most auto parts stores carry these, and they are between $25-40. I have one on my truck, and spliced an old computer AC power cord onto it so the AC plug sticks through the grille. Then I can leave it plugged into an extension cord until I drive the truck again.
Otherwise, use an off-board battery charger to top off your batteries every week or two. This will make them last for years longer.
Double-S-Diesel
parts seller
Im running advance auto parts batteries in my trucks, not only because I work there part time, but the fact of the warranty, I can be miles from home and if one craps out, there is anearby store and I can get it swapped if needed with out any problems.
at work I have replaced many other brand batteries on a sat or sun or after 5 thatwould have been under warranty, but that place was closed and the customer needed there car.
at work I have replaced many other brand batteries on a sat or sun or after 5 thatwould have been under warranty, but that place was closed and the customer needed there car.
