Best battery for seldom used truck

DRS 95 Silverado · February 20, 2022

2014 GMC 1/2 ton. Only have 18,000 miles on it. I've got a Delco 94RPG in it now thats 4 years old. Seems a little sluggish when starting like they do when they get old. Truck sets for a week or better sometimes. Some trips 20 miles or more but some short ones also. I have put a charger on it once in a while but I don't want the hassle of leaving one on it all the time. Would I be better off with an AGM or stick with the flooded battery like its always had? The wifes Cherokee has an AGM but thats what it came with from the factory and it has that stupid start/stop feature on it so I replaced it with another AGM.

rav3 · February 20, 2022

Either would work in my opinion BUT I'll probably go with an AGM. Keep us posted on what you decide.

txab · February 20, 2022

AGM would be my go to, but I'd still stick a maintainer on it to get full life. I do this now on 2 vehicles.It's no hassle to put it on.

Use maintainer if you use a regular flooded LA battery

m3n00b · February 20, 2022

I'm in the same boat. Get the 4 year AGM from Costco and bring it in and exchange it every 3 years

sheath · February 20, 2022

AGM and Flooded cell are both the same chemical reaction, with resultant sulfation issues. Might be worth your time to looking into using a Battery Conditioner on a regular basis to help with the sulfation issue. You may even be able to get some additional life from your current battery.

Here is an article which discusses and provides some suggestions to look at.

Battery desulfator

Instead of leaving the charger plugged in constantly, you could always setup a schedule to run a conditioning cycle. That's not as effective in the long run as keeping the battery in daily maintenance mode, because the battery is still sulfating. Even in the best scenario not all of the sulfate deposit will be kicked off the plates and reabsorbed in the electrolyte. But that may fit your "lifestyle" better, which means it has a better chance for success based on your willingness to participate in a consistent fashion.

Hope this helps. :cheers:

DRS 95 Silverado · February 20, 2022

40 minutes ago, sheath said:

AGM and Flooded cell are both the same chemical reaction, with resultant sulfation issues. Might be worth your time to looking into using a Battery Conditioner on a regular basis to help with the sulfation issue. You may even be able to get some additional life from your current battery.

Here is an article which discusses and provides some suggestions to look at.

Battery desulfator

Instead of leaving the charger plugged in constantly, you could always setup a schedule to run a conditioning cycle. That's not as effective in the long run as keeping the battery in daily maintenance mode, because the battery is still sulfating. Even in the best scenario not all of the sulfate deposit will be kicked off the plates and reabsorbed in the electrolyte. But that may fit your "lifestyle" better, which means it has a better chance for success based on your willingness to participate in a consistent fashion.

Hope this helps.

10/6/2 Amp 6/12V Intelligent Battery Charger / Maintainer - Clore Automotive

I use this charger on it once in a while. I'm a little concerned about the AGM working with my charging system the way it's supposed to. It's had a regular battery from the factory.

sheath · February 21, 2022

AGM is still a Lead Acid battery with a specific gravity of approximately 1.265@80*F. So voltages are the same (float of about 13.2V - 13.8V). As long as your stock charging system is working correctly and properly maintained, it will charge the AGM battery just fine.

AGM has come a long way over the years, and is a solid choice. Just make sure to get a battery which meets the requirements of your truck (CCA & Reserve Capacity).

mikeyk101 · February 21, 2022

I just replaced my battery late last year in my 2016. I went with IIRC, the 94R AGM battery from Costco. My old battery still would start but since it was 5 years old and winter was coming, I wanted to replace it. Mine sits in front of the house on city street so a maintainer is out of the question. I do a lot of short drives of under 2 miles once a day during the week but it has also sat for almost a week or 2 several times. I also have a dash cam that will be active even when truck is off. So far, even in the cold (down to single digits several times) it has always started and I have not needed to jump it.

KARNUT · February 21, 2022

My wife’s 01 Acura intagra type r has had 4 batteries. I drive it once a month 8-10 miles. After the battery is about 1 year old I put a trickle charge on it for about 3 hours every two weeks. For some reason after market alarms drain batteries. Iv had other collector cars that I usually would drive every one-two weeks that I never needed to charge. A regular battery every 4 years is reasonable.

DRS 95 Silverado · February 21, 2022

14 hours ago, mikeyk101 said:

I just replaced my battery late last year in my 2016. I went with IIRC, the 94R AGM battery from Costco. My old battery still would start but since it was 5 years old and winter was coming, I wanted to replace it. Mine sits in front of the house on city street so a maintainer is out of the question. I do a lot of short drives of under 2 miles once a day during the week but it has also sat for almost a week or 2 several times. I also have a dash cam that will be active even when truck is off. So far, even in the cold (down to single digits several times) it has always started and I have not needed to jump it.

No Costco anywhere around here. If I go with an AGM I'll probably go with one from O'Reilly's or a Delco. Got a buddy at a dealer that always gives me a good deal on the Delco's over the years. I checked it yesterday and it was 60% charged. I had drove it about 30 miles the day before. I put the charger on it yesterday and overnight. Just went out and it was done charging. I'm going to watch it for a while before I decide.

DRS 95 Silverado · February 26, 2022

Anyone here use a conductance tester to check batterys? Been thinking about getting one. Something like this one.

Amazon.com: FOXWELL BT705 12V 24V Car Battery Tester Automotive 100-2000 CCA Battery Load Tester Auto Cranking and Charging System Test Scan Tool Digital Battery Alternator Analyzer for Vehicle, Heavy Duty Truck : Automotive

Grumpy Bear · February 26, 2022

I just use a 1/2 amp Battery Tender smart charger and leave it on all winter for my stored vehicles and hard wire one to my daily drivers I just plug in at the grill. 7 to 10 years on most of my Interstate LA batteries. :dunno:

pokismoki · February 26, 2022

definatly get a charger on it, doing so helps the batteries live a little longer, dont waste money on AGM, go with the flooded and the money you save get the battery tender smart charger

DRS 95 Silverado · February 27, 2022

I've been using this one on it once in awhile. Thinking about getting a tester though. I've got serveral batteries plus couple family members id could use it for.

https://cloreautomotive.com/product/pl2310/

Gagliano7 · March 10, 2022

I have a red top optima in my 1992 silverado. I have a schumacher battery maintainer on it when i am not using it. I put the battery in 2011. 11 years and still going.