The battery in my truck is a Group 31 1000 CCA Les Schwab and is several years old with a build date of March 2003. With the cooling weather I have noticed the truck turning over more slowly (around 40 degrees). Has not failed to start but turns over noticeably slower after the grid heaters do their thing. Throughout the day after the first morning start, no issue. Starts quick and fires right up. So, I took the battery out and had it tested. It tested good and with the battery load test as well. I have read another couple posts in which others then tested their battery as good and the slowing cranking ended up being the starter? Would a marginal condition starter be the cause combined with the cooling weather? Have others experienced lower temps impacting starter motors? Even though the battery still tests as good, I am wondering if the battery age and only 1000 CCA (less than the factory installed 1150 CCA unit original batteries) is the cause? I know the battery in there now is old but it tests fine. I have no problem getting a new higher CCA battery but don't want to go there if not the issue.

 

Battery > 4 years old is just waiting to fail on you.

You can test the cells individually with a tester, but FWIW, you're on borrowed time.

I just changed mine with a napa 1200CCA unit. Starts without a thought.



Peace of mind.. for me, anyway.


T.

 

Funny, I just got off the phone with NAPA. They have a 1190CCA (1190 CCA @32 degrees/950CCA at zero degrees). Price is $117. Does that sound like the same battery as yours?

 

Peace of mind is worth it IMO. I just replaced mine with a NAPA brand, and even though my old one was just starting to crank a little slower....I know its ok

 

it''s the same exact battery...as in my box truck I just bought a pair of 7237's for it.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...237_0300571656

Didn't need that much power when they're in tandem

My Dodge on the other hand, required a higer amp battery $159


Napa # 7235 is the one I bought for my dodge

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...235_0269072254


No problem with cold weather for me.


T.

 

Ok, I will probably end up buying the same 7235 you bought. Just called NAPA again and they have them for $174. Definately worth the extra $57 to get the 1125 CCA battery rather than the 950 CCA one with lower reserve capacity. Interesting thing is that it has a shorter 30 month warranty rather than a 36 month warranty like the smaller battery?? Those grid heaters use a lot of juice from one battery in the winter time so more capacity can't be a bad thing. The NAPA I will be going to has a tester that will measure draw decrease during motor start up. Will have them check that too.

 

I was told, long ago, that you can extend the life of any battery, by placing a sheet of rubber just below it between the bottom of the battery and the tray .


Anyone ever heard of this ?


Something to do with vibrations and eventual breakdown of the lead plates inside ?


T.

 

I've got 2 yellow top Optima batteries in my 2nd Gen. I think they're 4 years old now and have never let me down even though it sits sometimes for a month with a trailer hooked up that has the hot wire running to my winch battery. They are a little "pricey" though.
But, I tried looking on their website for a 1200 cca and it doesn't look like they make anything higher than 1000.
My 1st Gen needs a new battery, so I may go with that NAPA battery too.

 

Alright so the most popular battery is Napa's I will go with that then

 

Yes, vibrations are hard on batteries internally. That is why i always recommend marine batteries as they are built more rugged inside. These trucks are even worse due to the engine vibrations.

 

So just go to a marine dealer then or request a marine battery instead of a regualar one?

 

Regular dealer should be able to supply a marine i would think.

 

Thats good