Well, now that its getting colder here in NY, and i have been having a hard getting the truck to start after sitting for a few days. Grid heater comes on and all, but no crankig of the engine, even after about an hour on the charger. Just been changing junk batteries in and out till one starts it.

Anyways, what are the better batteries to run in my truck? I am NOT buying an optima. I just do not have that kind of money. I have had the yellow walmart maxx battery in my gasser for a while now, and it seems to work really well running the amp, lights, inverter and plow pump. as i remember, it was reasonably priced, (59.00) and had a great warranty.

Would there be any real reason to run two batteries in the truck? I have a rotator light and the snow plow pump running in the winter, and would imagine i might not always be pugging it in, as i live in an apartment, and cannot alwways park near my door.

Thanks for any ideas

 

The walmart batts are really to small.

Look into an interstate workaholic, what I have in mine and dads. Works great and is the propper size recomended for the these trucks.

Might have to goto a tractor dealership or farm store to get one.

 

This is it, trust me. Go to www.dekabatteries.com. Look for a distributor near by. If you are lucky to have one, I guarantee you won't find a Group 31 battery rated as high for less than $100 ANYWHERE. Deka 1231PMF. Group 31 fits perfect in our battery tray, group 31 is a class 8 big truck battery. Some of our trucks may have originally came with this size, not sure. Rated at 1260cca at 32*F, 1160cca at 0*F, all for $70-$80. Find an Optima aka Interstate or Interstate 'Workhorse' or Odesey rated that high and for that price... not gonna happen... Who needs grid heaters when you have a King Kong battery... I run no grid heaters, never plug the truck in, ever, (I'll pass on the 15- 100 watt light bulbs running) and I start my over timed, heavily fueled cold engine down to -5F with no problems.

I suggest unplugging your grid heaters as they drain even the biggest battery during cold weather and short trips. They will cycle all the way to work or the store, over time, never allowing your puny optima or workhorse or big deka to fully charge. I know many folks like optima, its nice to see someone else not jump on the bandwagon. I would even pay shipping to have a Deka battery, do they ship batteries?

 

IMO Interstate batteries are best, ask for an Interstate 31P-MHD "Workaholic"
It's a 950 amp capacity

 

X2 on the group 31 batteries. I turned mine 90* on the tray and mounted two side by side in parallel. Now I have plenty of reserve to run the grid heaters and still spin the motor over. Even at -30C, not plugged in, sitting all week. Takes 3-4 cycles of the grid heater but she goes. Just about blocks out the sun with smoke when it does!

I work on Snow Plows for a living. So the days when I MOST need to be at work is when everyone else stays home and calls it a snow day. Atleast it gives me a cheap supply of grp 31 batteries.

 

I just replaced my Workaholics with the new Interstate Mega Tron.

 

you say you work on freight and mack grab 2 big rig bat thats what i got and at -40 celcius with no plug she starts just fine usualy thos bat go for about 80 can each but if you could grab a guy that changing all 4 on his truck a lot of the time 1 or 2 or in good shape thats the free way those bat are usualy 1000amps and1100 cold cranking power now thas a bat

 

Cannot find any where online that sells or ships Deka batteries, and the closest retailer to me is in Pennsylvania, though i am gonna keep looking, as the Deka seems to be the best value. Thanks for all th einfo

 

I've also had very good service out of that batt!!

Robert

 

I used 2 exide h.d. truck series batteries, since we have a exide outlet here I got them for 29.00 each due to a blem on the case.... No problems at all.

 

We actually carry Deka batteries at our shop. We dont come up on the dealer locater, but thats probably because we arent an "authorized" Deka Dealer. If anyone in the area wants to replace their batteries with some of these, just let me know so I can place an order. PM me if you want some prices.

 

Yup, just picked up a new one about 3 weeks ago, got it direct from the I-State dealer we use at my job...good price, under a 100 but more than 85

 

I have no doubt that those Deka batteries are great, but don't be afraid of the Walmart battery. I put one of those 1000 amp jobs in my 91 and it whipped that motor over like a gasser. Even on sub-zero days.

 

At this time I have a battery that will no longer stand up to a load. The current battery is a Napa Legend, (approx 4.5yrs old). This battery has seen below zero temps and also 100*+ weather. Recently I have been shopping around for a good, quality replacement. I do like the Interstate Batteries and located a local dealer. My local Firestone car care center carries Interstate Batteries. I got a price quote for this battery:

Interstate 31XHD CCA 1000 $150. must special order

Should I continue to shop around more, go for a different brand, or just buy it?

 

Whatever you do don't get that costco brand kirkland deep cycle/starting marine big battery. I wasted money on three thinking that my charging issues were ALTernator or regulator. Turns out the deep cycle batteries kept heating up under long trip constant running and welded the plates together at the bottom almost causing a battery meltdown situation that smelled like wilbur hot springs...

I now use napa commercial type 31 tractor/big rig battery which has been great. almost 100 bones though.

That is the battery that it lists for our trucks in their books.