Need some guidance

[Ricky]

(01-22-2021 )SquareOne Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 )Ricky Wrote:  So just kinda updating, catching up, on this. So I started having trouble with the truck cranking slow on cold mornings. I had been out for like five weeks and was leaning toward getting back. I had to have a driver jump me one morning. I ended up finding one of the little short cables on the negative side loose and melted some. I replaced it and finished another week and got back home. I ended up replacing all four batteries. I got them from batteries plus just after Christmas and they have been working great. I have been staying out a lot since in some really cold weather. I leave the truck off all night with the fridge running. It cranks in the morning like it's a warm summer day. I have also ran the roof mount AC and the voltage only drops to 13.5. I really want to thank everyone for all the information and advice.

Appreciate the update. Looks like you got a decent price on those as well. Just for comparison sake, what were the specs of the batteries you replaced and how long did you have them in service?

- I currently have four NAPA (cant remember the specs at the moment) batteries which I replaced in mid Nov 2019. I replaced the starter as well a few months later since it was getting long in the tooth with nearly 450k. Unfortunately, it seems like they're already beginning to show their age. Drops down to about 10.8-11.2v when cranking in cold weather and although consistent, def doesn't roll the engine like it used to (the first 60-70k they were in service). NAPA does have a 4yr proration period on these-- first year replacement, with the percentage of proration moving down each year until the 4th year, but I may see what else is out there the next time around.

How long are you guys typically getting out of a set of batteries? Mileage /or time in service?

I bought the last batteries at O'Reilly and they lasted around 2 1/2 years. But I do run a pretty big inverter. I have been upgrading everything and will all the great advice here it's coming out great. This is the O'Reilly batteries, I think they did good. I think the ones I just got from Batteries Plus are just what I need. The CCAs are lower but so far it's been more than enough. When I change my starter I'm going with the smaller high torque starter.