Bit by the battery demons

[byrdr1]

Last week just before my trip out of town I went to start my truck on tuesday am. Would not not crank, turn over but just ground to a halt.
left work a half day early to get a jump on the problem before my departure time Wednesday am.
Got home and hooked up my sons truck to one battery and a battery charger to the other. Took about 20 minutes of trying before it turned over finally..
Once I had it running off to the car store for a quick check of my 3 year old batteries. Warranty was for 3 years, I missed that by 3 years for free ones.. Oh well.
Prorated them for $25 each and bought the felt red&green battery acid things.. OUCH is all I can say..
This purchase ate right through my camping budget for the weekend..
Thanks for plastic this trip!!! Hate it but I was not going to stay at home and work, been looking forward to this trip since June summer vacation.
NOW the real question!
what do you as a diesel owner see in/as the life of your batteries??
is 3 years free replacement a good deal. I checked and these were replaced once under the 3 year warranty free deal. so these in the truck were 4 years old.
just asking for information.
randy

[hankpage]

I replaced my original batteries after nine years just for peace of mind. But my six cyl. does not crank as long as your eight cyl. when starting. I'm not knocking the PS, it's just the way the engines are designed. They are much harder on batteries. I don't know anyone with a GM so I can't comment on them. JM2¢, Hank

[SAABDOCTOR]

hi my 2000 ran 2500td has the original battery(s) the o5 ram also has the originals.dang i am lucky:D

[Port List]

Hello Byrdr1 - I have a 97' F350, 7.3 diesel which I have owned since new. I have bought the expensive Ford batteries and the much cheaper Walmart batteries. Both last 3 years, no longer. I used my truck as a daily driver for many years, and now it does not get much use. Still 3 years. Personally, I buy the cheap batteries now because the life expectancy has proved to be the same as the expensive batteries. As Hankpage noted, the Powerstrokes are hard on batteries.

[byrdr1]

Hello Byrdr1 - I have a 97' F350, 7.3 diesel which I have owned since new. I have bought the expensive Ford batteries and the much cheaper Walmart batteries. Both last 3 years, no longer. I used my truck as a daily driver for many years, and now it does not get much use. Still 3 years. Personally, I buy the cheap batteries now because the life expectancy has proved to be the same as the expensive batteries. As Hankpage noted, the Powerstrokes are hard on batteries.

Thanks,
based on the timeing of my batteries death its around 3 years each time.
Mopar batteries might be better for me next time around..
with 208000 miles I am looking for/at 2008-2010 F-350 CC, LWB, SRW the wife is like hold on!!!! Batteries and service work is cheaper than a truck payment..you know I have had my truck 9 years(bought used) and this is the 3rd set I have put in it. I have paid for two sets so far and altenators every other year too. Lifetime warranty on that one and its easy to change it out.
thanks guys,
randy

[diugo]

I bought two uberexpensive Optima AGMs for my '97 diesel in '09 and was totally underwhelmed by their lack of longevity. So last summer I replaced them with a SINGLE 3yr Walmart battery and saved almost $300. (My truck never sees subfreezing temps.) So far so good...

[concours]

Just replaced them in our 07 Duramax, one became very weak so I replaced them both, they lasted 6 years of Canadian winters

[JRTJH]

93 F250 7.3L replaced both batteries in 1996 and again in 1999.

99 F250 7.3L replaced both batteries in 2001 and again in 2005.

My average has been 3 years (give or take)

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Just put a new pair of batteries in my 2004 this past May,
they were originals. A bad FICM was what brought 'em down.

Replaced batteries and sent the FICM off to Swamps, had it back in a week
and was rollin' again.

hankaye

[campingcpl]

Put new batteries in our 2004 Chevy just this spring and we have owned the truck for about 4 years. According to the tags on the old batteries they were the original ones.

[Cyncwby]

We bought a new '02 F-250 4x4 PSD, the batts lasted 9 yrs. which amazed me. Replaced them with 2- Costco 850 cca batts 2 yrs ago @ $79 each....they really kick that diesel over and so far so good.

[LittleJoe]

Batteries in my 04 Ram are original and at 330000km. I have been thinking of replacing for prevention but part of me just wants to know how far they will go:D

[theeyres]

Just replace the batteries in our '07 Chevy diesel this year...so lasted 6 years in Eastern Oregon cold weather and Arizona hot weather.

[hankpage]

Batteries in my 04 Ram are original and at 330000km. I have been thinking of replacing for prevention but part of me just wants to know how far they will go:D

I was going to do the same thing but I was concerned that if the voltage would drop too low it would harm the starter. Like I said .... Peace of mind. They usually decide to go at the worst time.

[rhagfo]

Well I just replace mine last Fall, same boat has Hankpage my Cummins with mechanical injector, cranks about half a revolution before starting, most of the time the only starting issue I have is releasing the key too soon from the start position.:)
Replaced with Factory MOPAR 85 batteries, best price around.

[T11ravis]

3 yrs. for me.

[fred1609]

replaced the batteries in our 06 F 350 last year with Costco batteries. We bought the truck used and I don't recall if the batteries were original. When I was carrying the new batteries out of Costco I dropped one and cracked the case. Took the battery back and they replaced it no questions asked.