Battery sale.

[WILDEBILL308]

My start batteries have been acting like they were on their end of service life. Always started but dragged just a little this last week on a short trip. I was thinking it was time to replace them. Well my mind was made up for me when I walked into my local Freightliner shop. AKA Premier Truck Group They had a stack of original equipment start batteries on sale for $69.00. I bought two before anything else. I thought this was a pretty good deal as they normally go for $179.38 ea. They are rated CCA @ zero 925 CA @ 32-f 1110 Reserve Capacity 170.
I don't know if they are running this at all Freight liner shops but it might be worth looking if you are going to be in need of new start batteries.
I went down and installed them this afternoon.:B
Bill

[Kayteg1]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

I changed to AGM because I got tired of laying down in the snow at -20 C to check the electrolyte levels. They can have a long life, but they need to be treated differently than flooded jars.

Most of automotive flooded batteries are sealed, so you never have to add water to them.
For my house batteries I bought golf-cart batteries, but have advanced inverter/charger for them.
In 12 years I remember adding water twice and that was not critical.
So I guess in your case it was charger boiling that lead to situation.
AGM batteries don't like overcharging neither.

[WILDEBILL308]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
The group 34 is one of the most pathetic BCI battery sizes. Along with the 65 and 31 the 34 is the most warranted engine starting battery on the market. Even though it is still starting my toad six cylinder, it is getting hurled a year after I purchased it. In goes a 31 AGM, a different animal than the flooded 31 mentioned above. My batteries do not get zippers, wing nuts or Velcro hold-downs.

With a correct charging system, 0.00 drain, no AC and no camper battery, my GMC went through NINE (different brands) of 34 in 11 years. No short trips. No storage longer than a week. ZERO DISCHARGING. Pure engine starting use. From Sears to Interstate, to US Battery, Bosch, LTH........garbage. Some battery designs are failures. This is one of them.

I think you have the worst luck with batteries that I have ever heard of. In fact I can't recall ever reading of someone who had any problems that weren't related to bad charger/alternator or aged out.
It may be time to get a good mechanic to check your system.
Bill

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I changed to AGM because I got tired of laying down in the snow at -20 C to check the electrolyte levels. They can have a long life, but they need to be treated differently than flooded jars.

Kayteg1 wrote:
I've been trying to keep record how different batteries last and so far all comparable AGM live shorter than their flooded counterparts.
AGM were developed for specific use and long lasting in RV application is not on the list.
Waste of money IMHO as I had flooded batteries lasting 13 years.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

"Good God! He's sucked the tip of the rod into the water and we're ready to take water over the transom!"

[Kayteg1]

I've been trying to keep record how different batteries last and so far all comparable AGM live shorter than their flooded counterparts.
AGM were developed for specific use and long lasting in RV application is not on the list.
Waste of money IMHO as I had flooded batteries lasting 13 years.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

A neighbor wants to pay me eighty dollars worth of pesos for my year and a half old GOHNER group 34. I am going to mount a 31 AGM behind the front seat on the "transmission tunnel". In a battery box. Run a 1 gauge cable around to the portside door sill then forward to the firewall and with a bulkhead pass-through exit into the engine compartment. The 1-gauge will join it's smaller brethren where the 34 used to reside.

When I do an el-cheapo sleepover behind a gas station, I can run the Endless Breeze and BiPAP and not have a worry in the world. On a five day journey home, 3-4 of the nights are spent at all night gas stations. What's a few hundred dollars between friends? When I arrive in Gracias Honduras, or El Limon Nicaragua, the AGM will damned sure not quit on me. When I croak, Jesús can use the AGM in his panga for a decade or two. If that sucker can -NOT- live through at least five 34 batteries I'll snort a pint of 1.275 That is a guarantee. 34's cost A HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS EACH DOWN HERE.

[mchero]

Last time I walked into a Cummins dealer & bought two starting batteries on sale was 12 years ago. Still going strong.

[Gjac]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
The group 34 is one of the most pathetic BCI battery sizes. Along with the 65 and 31 the 34 is the most warranted engine starting battery on the market. Even though it is still starting my toad six cylinder, it is getting hurled a year after I purchased it. In goes a 31 AGM, a different animal than the flooded 31 mentioned above. My batteries do not get zippers, wing nuts or Velcro hold-downs.

With a correct charging system, 0.00 drain, no AC and no camper battery, my GMC went through NINE (different brands) of 34 in 11 years. No short trips. No storage longer than a week. ZERO DISCHARGING. Pure engine starting use. From Sears to Interstate, to US Battery, Bosch, LTH........garbage. Some battery designs are failures. This is one of them.

Why are your batteries short lived? Is it the heat in Mexico? If group 34 batteries are "pathetic" what do you recommend for a starting battery?

[Kayteg1]

I just call Costco for update and the batteries I bought 5 years ago (!) sell for $89.99 today.
880/1000 amp item #12866.
Seems the warranty on them changed, but this is every day price from reputable seller.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

If they are 13" in length they are group 31 batteries. 900 marine cranking amps in a 31 jar does not provoke acid starvation. They could be "Blems" so watch for case to lid seal leakage and around the posts or studs. A 31 would be very common as most big rigs use them.

[WILDEBILL308]

We will see, they come with a one year warranty. The ones I replaced were from January 2010. I may be wrong about what "group" these are. Part number APB 31S925.
Bill

[MEXICOWANDERER]

The group 34 is one of the most pathetic BCI battery sizes. Along with the 65 and 31 the 34 is the most warranted engine starting battery on the market. Even though it is still starting my toad six cylinder, it is getting hurled a year after I purchased it. In goes a 31 AGM, a different animal than the flooded 31 mentioned above. My batteries do not get zippers, wing nuts or Velcro hold-downs.

With a correct charging system, 0.00 drain, no AC and no camper battery, my GMC went through NINE (different brands) of 34 in 11 years. No short trips. No storage longer than a week. ZERO DISCHARGING. Pure engine starting use. From Sears to Interstate, to US Battery, Bosch, LTH........garbage. Some battery designs are failures. This is one of them.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

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[Kayteg1]

What is warranty on them?
I bought the biggest batteries for my truck (1000 amp) at Costco about 3 years ago and per my recollection they were cheaper than $69.
100 months warranty with 3 years replacement.