Batteries - Diesel Trucks

[IdaD]

I wanted to solicit a few opinions on batteries. My 2015 Ram is on it's original set of batteries, so about three and a half years of use and a little under 50,000 miles. I haven't had any failures to start yet but I've noticed a couple of times after running the grid heater on cold mornings the last week or two I've had a click before I turn the key back off and then it has fired up on the second try. I assume running the heater immediately prior to starting has run the batteries down enough they are tight on having enough juice for cranking the engine,

Am I at the point I need to replace the batteries? I'm a little on the early end of what I generally consider the replacement cycle for batteries in the other vehicles I've owned. I wondered with two batteries if I'd actually get a little extra life, but on the other hand it is cranking a bigger engine and running the grid heater.

Opinions?

[Skid_Row_Joe]

I've got a 2002 7.3 V8 Powerstroke turbodiesel that has tandem FoMoCo, batteries on it.

What brand AGM 12V batteries are others using?

[ktmrfs]

DustyR wrote:
For diesel applications are the AGM batteries better than the lead-acid types?

AGM batteries ARE Lead Acid. just not a flooded cell battery.

Are they better? define better and decide what is important and then compare AGM strength and weakness vs. other batteries.

[ppine]

Use a hydrometer. Make sure they have water and charge them up. Check again. They will let you know when they are starting to fail.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

...

[miltvill]

My 2008 would not start up one morning. So I put my battery jump starter on the truck. But it would not start. I then also attached my battery charger and placed it on 50 amp start. It took both to provide enough amps to fire up the glow plugs and start my truck. I replaced both batteries. DW ran my battery tester over so I could not check my batteries. I know it was my fault for leaving my battery tester on the driveway next to my truck while I was working on it.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

I went with Interstate AGM.

Are Interstate AGMs ever on-sale at a discount retailer to their standard pricing? Seems like they are uniform priced yearound, unlike other battery brands.

Side Question:
Are AGMs suitable as House batteries on my Class C coach? I've been using 2/Interstate wet batteries as my House batteries.

[TAS1]

To the OP...

I too have a 15 Ram with close to the same mileage. We had a few cold days here in S. LA and it was enough to do them in. I replaced both with AGM batteries from O'Reilly to the tune of $400. They gave no warning at all that they were getting weak. I went out one morning and , CLICK!

[CharlesinGA]

I bought a 2003 Ram 2500 5.9L HO CTD in Feburary of '18 I bought it from a flipper who got it from the original owner. It was low mileage, 86K and built in January '03. It still had the original Damiler-Chrysler labeled batteries in it. The "green eye" batteries made by Delco I think. While it hesitated slightly, it still started. Batteries were the first thing I changed. Shopped to see who had AGM's on sale and it was Bosch AGM's at Pep Boys, 25% off at the time. so two batteries and $300 later I was set. Working 15 year old batteries are rare, I normally expect about 6 years before they fail.

In the summer of 2017 I replaced the 7/11 dated Advance Gold group 49 battery in my '06 chassis Sprinter motorhome, as I expected it was near end of life and I was going on a long trip. I installed a Sears AGM because that was the sale at the time. Old battery is still good, sitting on the shop floor. (I traded in a totally dead junk battery that was sitting outside the shop)

Speaking of parasitic/vampire draw on batteries, the later Sprinters draw so much current when parked that they have a battery disconnect under the dash near the accelerator and generally if it is going to sit over a week, it is a good idea to disconnect it.

Charles

[crcr]

Battery life is also very much dependent on climate. I live in the desert Southwest, and the desert heat significantly shortens battery life. I have never gotten more than 3 years out of a new battery, gas or diesel, and this is many vehicles over many years.

I get 2-3 years out of them and that's it. And yes, I do keep the battery water level up and clean the battery terminals regularly.

[cummins2014]

joebedford wrote:
Not CTD, but my Duramax batteries are original and over 7 years old. A couple of weeks ago it sat in -5F temperatures for a week and started.

The Duramax forum has a lot of supporters of CAT batteries.

I have read that CAT batteries are good ones .

[joebedford]

Not CTD, but my Duramax batteries are original and over 7 years old. A couple of weeks ago it sat in -5F temperatures for a week and started.

The Duramax forum has a lot of supporters of CAT batteries.

[DustyR]

For diesel applications are the AGM batteries better than the lead-acid types?

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Any reason why your son did not opt for AGM replacements ?"

Sorry missed this.

I would assume it is because of Costco and Interstate usage before. 30 mo free replacement.

Thanks , Been several years since I bought an Interstate battery, always had good service out of them.

After going back, and forth on our OE batteries in the Ram trucks in a Cummins forum, it seems like a lot of members are going with the AGM replacements. I am still up in the air at this point, the Interstate batteries from Costco will be hard to pass up, and at a reasonable price .

[Cummins12V98]

"Any reason why your son did not opt for AGM replacements ?"

Sorry missed this.

I would assume it is because of Costco and Interstate usage before. 30 mo free replacement.