I have seen here that some people are using one battery only. Does it really work? Is it a viable & reliable way to start these diesels or it false economy? I need to replace mine soon & will go with the Optima..... 1 or 2???
Thanks,
TJT

 

It really depends on where you live. If you live in the deep south and have warm winters you might get away with one.

Just because some people run one battery doesnt mean its that its the best idea. The starting/charging system is designed to use two batteries.

 

i use one battery in the bed of my 82. it started ok last winter down to about 25 degrees without being plugged in and no intake heater. 900 cold cranking amps

 

If you are going to run only 1 battery, make it count, and skip the Optima (around 800 CCA). Go with the largest battery you can fit in the engine compartment. On my diesel trail Jeep, I used a heavy equipment/commercial truck battery to power my 12,000# winch and start the engine. No problems at all. I used to use an 1100 CCA battery from Sam's Club (Energizer I think) and it worked great. I can't say how it would work in a CTD, but if you only run 1 battery, don't stop at 800 CCA.

And I have to ask...whats the reason for only running 1 battery? If its to save money, skip the Optima, and buy 2 heavy duty batteries...they will last just as long under the same conditions, and you'll have far more CCAs and peace of mind.

Jim

 

My old 89 started in Breezewood one morning on one battery when it was 12 below. That was a 1225 amp NAPA battery though.

 

Thanks all.... Money is always an issue but not the only one. I think in my case cleanliness is number 1. Now if I can use one battery, that will take care of number 2....

 

I am running one Optima red top and it cranks the truck just fine, and it opens up a lot of room on the passenger side

 

I think 99% of the time one battery is plenty adequate. It's that winter morning in the mountains at -20F with a breeze that makes 2 batteries pretty much a necessity.

I have 1 optima in mine right now but plan to throw the other one back in in December.

Vaughn

 

I have a triple start redundant system in my 1s gen.
I have 1 of the largest capacity group 31 batteries I could fit in the stock tray plus I welded me a second tray for the passenger side that sits by the hood spring for the second matching battery. In the bed of the truck inside my Leer shell is an 8-D deep cycle high capacity battery that is used primarily to power my 3000-watt inverter and all of the floodlights I use for work
All of the connections are made with welding cable grounding to the frame and engine block, main battery is connected directly to the starter while the second and rear batteries are connected through 2 Sure Power isolators paralleled with a 100 amp solenoids. All the batteries are charged from my Leece Neville alternator.
There are 2 pushbutton switches that will connect the power of all 3 batteries for starting in the event that one is low or I need the extra power, for a combined of over 4000 cranking amps.
I also reconnected the circuits so only the starter and vital circuits run off from the main starting battery while all of the accessories, headlights and marker lights are powered from the second auxiliary battery.
With this redundant system I can leave my lights on all day and not have to worry about not being able to start my truck.
There is a voltmeter to indicate the level of each battery
This is the same scheme that is used on ambulances and rescues vehicles with a dual start.
It never gets cold enough in Southern California to worry about not starting, our winters get down to a cold 70*
Jim

 

1st gens came with 1 battery only. You could always do a little "surgery" on the battery box to fit in a group 31 battery. That should give you plenty to crank it over in the cold...