Battery Questions For My Hd

tbhuge · October 24, 2011

So I need a new battery for my truck in the next couple of weeks. I had mine checked and it is working but below spec and want a new one before winter hits. I had my eyes set on a yellow top optima. However after doing some research I am hesitant. I see the company was bought out in 2008 and the plant was moved to Mexico. Since then apparently the Optima batteries are not as stought and reliable as they once were when they were made in the USA. Other then testimonials online I have no other sources.

So my question is, What batteries are you guys running and why. I live in Anchorage so I want the peace of mind of having more then just an OE replacement. It can get cold up here and I want to know that my truck will start in the middle of winter. So please give me some feedback on a few brands you guys are using. And if any of you have an Optima battery that was made in Mexico, please comment on it good or bad. Thanks guys......

Charlie

GasHog369 · October 24, 2011

Optima use to be an awesome battery! My dad had one in one of his old cars years ago, but there quality went to crap. As you saw, a search a little online will find a lot of people having issues with them crapping out.

Ive heard the diehard platinum is almost identical battery to the odyssey. Actually i heard odyssey makes it.. How true it is i dont know but the odyssey has impressed the hell out of me running all my HID's, back up aux lights, 2- 12v compressor's for my air tanks , stereo.. etc...

I upgraded the battery first, then alt, then wiring...

The CCA is the main thing to look at when buying a battery.

Check out this video... how they make there batterys, and they even compare them with that 6 pack design out there... "Keep the 6 pack in the fridge and keep capacity in your truck' (i think i just came up with a slogan for them )

BTW- the main thing that turned me on to the odyssey battery was knowing the same company that makes them (EnerSyS) makes our battery operated forklift batterys at work. Some extreme power needed there!

If you go here i have my setup shown in post 7.. I would not consider buying any other battery than the odyssey . Possibly the diehard platinum (becasue its made by odyssey) but same platform..

dewfpo · October 25, 2011

X2 on Odyssey batteries (Diehard Platinum).

DEWFPO

txab · October 25, 2011

X2 on Odyssey batteries (Diehard Platinum).
DEWFPO

Kodiak450 · October 25, 2011

I was extremely happy with the stock delco battery my 03 came with. It lasted close to 7.5 years and it went through alot of use with plowing, salting, strobe lights, amps for stereo, ect. I winded up purchasing another delco replacement battery for $130.

tbhuge · October 25, 2011

Thanks for the info guys. I went with the Sears Diehard Platinum. Picked it up this morning and will put it in later today. As cold as it gets up here at times, I like the peace of mind knowing that I have a hardcore battery as well as I have 2 little kids who occassionally like to play with the dome lights!!! I did confirm with the Sears employee that these are indeed made by Odyssey. Not that I doubted anyones advice before, but I wanted to hear it from them as well. Thanks again for the input.

Charlie

GasHog369 · October 26, 2011

Good to hear. How much did it run you? My odyssey was right around $270

It was only after i got it that i learned about the diehard platinum being made by odyssey, But i am extremely happy with it even tho it is pricey.

On a side not, just recently when i was at the local chevy truck parade, some guy pulled up in a cherry el camino. All of a sudden the battery blew up an sprayed acid all over under the hood, on paint, etc... I will never purchase another non AGM battery again.

steiny93 · October 26, 2011

I'm in northern MN so lots of cold; our goto solution for truck batteries is to roll into the nearest Caterpillar dealer and get the biggest battery that will fit.

Here is a link to their site: http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=37407&x=7

I just replaced the batteries in both my wifes denali and my 2500hd this fall; it was right around $200 for the pair and between the warranty/specs I'm not sure what would have been a better choice for the $'s.

rgv · October 26, 2011

I've gotten a couple bad Optimas in the last few years. They warrantied them, but big deal when you could have bought a lead acid battery for a third the price.

One of the things I don't like about the Optimas in a daily driver is that if they are run down completely, they sometimes will not accept a charge without charging them in parallel with another good battery.

tbhuge · October 27, 2011

It was 219.99 up here in Anchorage. Prices of everything are higher here than the lower 48. It was pretty sweet though when I started it for the first time with the new battery. Barely got the key turned to the on position and the thing cranked over faster than it has since I bought it and was running instantly. THe old battery wasnt bad, however it never started that quickly.