Battery options for 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500

[C_tyla]

So I have a 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500, I heard the battery’s are pretty bad in these body style trucks. I plan on getting new speakers, subwoofer, basically upgrading the sound system. I want a good battery that does not dim out the lights when the subs hit or have issues with the stock battery in the truck. What are the best options in battery’s so it can handle a good sound system. Thanks!

[CamGTP]

It's not really the batteries that the bad. You need the wiring and alternator setup to keep things from dimming. I used to call it the big 3 upgrade and it may still be called that. Larger battery cables and ground wires, bigger wire to the alternator. I have no idea what you can do for larger alternators on these trucks because of how fancy the electronics are and the fact that the computer is what controls the voltage based on demand.

 

If you want a top notch battery find a AGM battery, Optima or something like that.

[Bash74]

Definitely upgrade system. For a battery I would choose an AGM from ACDelco if not then XS Power, Odyssey, or Delpi. I think Optima quality has gone down now. 

[Black02Silverado]

AGM is a good battery to get.  Odyssey is a good brand, pricey but good from my understanding as well as XS Power.  Optima has gone down hill.  I had one in my 2002 and it lasted just under 4yrs.  The Advance Auto battery I put in after that lasted 5 and half years.

[lovecars]

Don't even think of running all the stuff from the stock battery, the battery chargin is totally controled by the computer, notice the wires that go through a circle out of the battery, that is an amp meter, it measure the current that is needed.

The battery charging part of the computer looks at

1.  under hood temperature

2. battery temperature

3. battery load

among other parameters.
with this management the battery will last al lot longer.

 

Our trucks come with the tray on the left side of the engine compartment, this is where the diesels have a 2nd battery. I don't think the tray is big enough for a REAL battery... But you can fit a smaller one.

 

Then go to go to https://www.gmupfitter.com/ and search for the way GM would expect to add batteries to the truck. This website is totally dedicated to Upfitters, which are the companies that build Ambulances, Cop trucks, etc... most used are commercial vehicle conversions. When you are at the website go to Technical Bulletins and look for UI Bulletin #137b, although it's for big vans, the schematic is very enlightening.

 

One thing that has kept me back from adding heavy duty stuff is that the trucks when they are built, they only install wiring for the truck with those options, so there are no provisions to add to the switches we have under the radio screen.

 

There are workarounds, so you have to research them, and find a good installer that know how to work on these trucks, you might research where do the Police have their cars converted, etc...

 

Big problem for me is that I'm and Electro/Mechanical Engineer, among other things and I tend to not ad stuff to the trucks original electrical architecture. GM spends millions into engineering the electrical systems.

 

Our trucks all run with a Computer Network. I think the current ones is GM-LAN, I'm not sure. But also being a Software Engineer, I read that the C8 Corvette is the the First GM car using an ETHERNET network, similar to what you have in your office or in your house if it's not running WIFI, any computer connected to a network including internet with a physical network wiring is more likely running ETHERNET.

 

The reason I would not change anything or only add additional accessories is if there are ports on BCM open that are made for that.

 

Add a stronger alternator, this will not affect the computers, if they are compatible with the voltage regulator that our trucks need. 

 

From there you can isolate the trucks computer and install all you want and will not affect lights dimming, etc...

 

And don't forget an to have the extra battery charged when you run the truck but not use power from the truck battery when you park and Play the Beats..

 

I may be wrong on my advice, because although I stay in touch with the automotive advances, I don't have any hands on or any contact with installers.

 

Sorry for the long post...

 

I tend to be long winded.. it comes with age, working on Cars/Motorcycles as a hobby, and writing computer code along with software user manuals..

 

And yes... I'm fng 70 yrs old, basically I know I will be pushing daisies in the very near future...

 

 

 

Edited May 12, 2021 by lovecars
add more information regarding Upfitters.com

[MikeBMW]

20 hours ago, lovecars said:

And yes... I'm fng 70 yrs old, basically I know I will be pushing daisies in the very near future...

I certainly hope you have a long and wonderful future - I, for one, love your input!