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Desert_Captain's avatar
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Jul 05, 2013

New Battery for the TV

My F-150 is about due for a new battery, being 4 years old this is not a surprise. The truck has been mostly sitting for the last couple of months as I rehab the new knee. I went out the other day and it turned over but noticeably slower than usual. Spent a little time on the internet then headed down the road.

I knew I wanted the strongest group 65 with a 3 year full replacement warranty and to purchase from a nationwide chain (we are headed out on a multi state/month trip in about 3 weeks). Ended up, after 6 stops, at AutoZone and got their top of the line 850 CCA, 5 year, 3 year full replacement - last two pro rated, warranty for $139 installed. I'll probably have the truck for another 3 to 5 years so for just a couple of extra bucks it will just be one less thing to worry about. Having them drop it in was convenient as walking is still a challenge and humping the battery in would have been a stretch.

No complaint on spending the money as in 4 years and 40,000+ miles it has needed nothing but brakes, tires, shocks and now a battery... may it always be so. :B
Tow Vehicles
  • BenK's avatar
    BenK
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    45Ricochet wrote:
    Lowsuv wrote:
    AGM batteries have a longer service life .
    AGM batteries will not leak and corrode your battery tray .
    AGM batteries are more tolerant to being run down and coming back to life .
    There are two brands : Optima made by Johnson Controls
    EDGE made by Exide .
    I found the EDGE batteries at Bi-Mart for $ 139 in the size that fits a Duramax .
    we use our Duramax batteries when doing dispersed boondock camping off the grid .
    The EDGE AGM batteries are more tolerant for this kind of usage .


    AGM batteries have advantages and disadvantages as in charging. Bottom line is a Red or Yellow top ( which I run in my boat) are a lot more money than a maintenance free gel cell battery which lasted me almost 8 years in the truck. (OBTW they didn't leak out) I don't see any AGM giving a free replacement longer than a 3 year period thus the point is moot. I like the tops in the boat cause they don't leak out, ever, and can be mounted without being level. That's about it though as my vehicles always get the flooded/gem type just like the manufacture put in em. They sure are prudy though :W


    Am also a convert...still purchase Costco because of the price and warranty
    And that is what the Sub has...a 1,000 CCA wet cell from Costco

    They did not have any Optima's and needed/wanted it NOW, but didn't
    want to drive to another place & pay more

    The Red top lasted over 12 years. Even after two times running it down
    where it would not start the big block. 50 year old battery charger
    topped it right up and know I should buy a new charger with 'smarts'
  • Monaco_Montclai's avatar
    Monaco_Montclai
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    I got lucky, I got a bat to last me 9yrs, but I took care of it too.and now it's all happy-camping
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Jul 06, 2013
    45Ricochet wrote:
    FishOnOne wrote:
    45Ricochet wrote:
    Yeah I had to break down and buy a pair couple of weeks ago. Same size but a 3 year replacement and 8 years of prorated for the same price at Sears. Hope these last as long at the OEM's did :W


    My dad reported he had to replace his batteries in his Chevy recently in their 05, but he also puts on about the same amount of miles/year (~12k) as you do. :W


    LOL you still remember that post when I lived in LA. Yeah didn't drive the DRW GMC to the office every day. Some of us have Tow Vehicles and other vehicles for daily transportation in congested areas. Not sure if LA applies here, but I have a hunch it does :B
    Let me run out and get all 4 OD readings and report back. Your most likely right, being retired and living where I do there is no reason to travel much :W


    Rick,
    Give us a full report... LOL :B My parents are retired as well and their truck doesn't get driven a lot either except for the occasional camping trip and deer camp trip.

    Anyways my dad was touting how long his batteries lasted and I had to remind him that his truck spends most of the time in the garage (Still a GM man including AC Delco products at heart).

    Now my 05 Super Duty would eat batteries.
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    FishOnOne wrote:
    45Ricochet wrote:
    Yeah I had to break down and buy a pair couple of weeks ago. Same size but a 3 year replacement and 8 years of prorated for the same price at Sears. Hope these last as long at the OEM's did :W


    My dad reported he had to replace his batteries in his Chevy recently in their 05, but he also puts on about the same amount of miles/year (~12k) as you do. :W


    LOL you still remember that post when I lived in LA. Yeah didn't drive the DRW GMC to the office every day. Some of us have Tow Vehicles and other vehicles for daily transportation in congested areas. Not sure if LA applies here, but I have a hunch it does :B
    Let me run out and get all 4 OD readings and report back. Your most likely right, being retired and living where I do there is no reason to travel much :W
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    Lowsuv wrote:
    AGM batteries have a longer service life .
    AGM batteries will not leak and corrode your battery tray .
    AGM batteries are more tolerant to being run down and coming back to life .
    There are two brands : Optima made by Johnson Controls
    EDGE made by Exide .
    I found the EDGE batteries at Bi-Mart for $ 139 in the size that fits a Duramax .
    we use our Duramax batteries when doing dispersed boondock camping off the grid .
    The EDGE AGM batteries are more tolerant for this kind of usage .


    AGM batteries have advantages and disadvantages as in charging. Bottom line is a Red or Yellow top ( which I run in my boat) are a lot more money than a maintenance free gel cell battery which lasted me almost 8 years in the truck. (OBTW they didn't leak out) I don't see any AGM giving a free replacement longer than a 3 year period thus the point is moot. I like the tops in the boat cause they don't leak out, ever, and can be mounted without being level. That's about it though as my vehicles always get the flooded/gem type just like the manufacture put in em. They sure are prudy though :W
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Jul 06, 2013
    45Ricochet wrote:
    Yeah I had to break down and buy a pair couple of weeks ago. Same size but a 3 year replacement and 8 years of prorated for the same price at Sears. Hope these last as long at the OEM's did :W


    My dad reported he had to replace his batteries in his Chevy recently in their 05, but he also puts on about the same amount of miles/year (~12k) as you do. :W
  • Lowsuv's avatar
    Lowsuv
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    AGM batteries have a longer service life .
    AGM batteries will not leak and corrode your battery tray .
    AGM batteries are more tolerant to being run down and coming back to life .
    There are two brands : Optima made by Johnson Controls
    EDGE made by Exide .
    I found the EDGE batteries at Bi-Mart for $ 139 in the size that fits a Duramax .
    we use our Duramax batteries when doing dispersed boondock camping off the grid .
    The EDGE AGM batteries are more tolerant for this kind of usage .
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Jul 05, 2013
    Yeah I had to break down and buy a pair couple of weeks ago. Same size but a 3 year replacement and 8 years of prorated for the same price at Sears. Hope these last as long at the OEM's did :W

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