Batteries for 2020 diesel

radios1 · Feb 24, 2019

Deka Interstate or Odyssey:thumbsup: the cheap batteries don't last..

DogT · Feb 24, 2019

Yes, I've been in all those areas. When changing batteries it's easy enough to get at those carrier bolts to the clutch housing. I just did the calculations to show people what amperage and a tiny amount of resistance can do. Most back yard mechanics don't know, not saying that you are. I did measure the ohms from the starter bolt into the housing to the battery ground terminal. 0.5 ohms so that starting voltage drop can be a good percentage of the total battery voltage. Nothing wrong with knowing the physics behind the reasons though.

After warming it up today with the tank heater, it started right up, but I'm going to check the batteries anyhow. I think I've got a specific gravity thing around here somewhere. Other thing to do is let it sit for 48 hours and measure the resting voltage. That can usually be a good indication of it's condition, but after 4 years, they're probably done. I've never gotten more than that out of them.

DogT · Feb 24, 2019

Deka I don't know anything about, the Odyssey I know lots of people like, but boy are they expensive. I've also heard horror stories about them too. You pays your money you takes your chances. $240/4 is $60 per year. I can live with that. I don't know about spending $4-500 on batteries that may last a few more years, the tractor may not last that long, much less me.

fried1765 · Feb 24, 2019

radios1 said:
Deka Interstate or Odyssey:thumbsup: the cheap batteries don't last..

Not necessarily true!
Check the March issue of Consumer Reports.
Their battery report is about test results....not opinions.

beenthere · Feb 25, 2019

I learned long ago that "Consumer Reports" was about who paid the most to get good results printed for them.
Very biased, IMO.

Use CR only for a list of available products to choose from..

radios1 · Feb 25, 2019

DogT said:
I got 17 years out of my original 03 Dakota battery, I'm still on the 2nd one now. 12 years from my original Miata AGM Panasonic battery.

one of those would be your best bet then!. 12 -17 years is truly incredible!..

DogT · Feb 25, 2019

The Miata Panasonic batteries are not available in the US and I doubt the replacement I got for the Dakota will last 17 years. I doubt the truck will last a few more years.

fried1765 · Feb 25, 2019

beenthere said:
I learned long ago that "Consumer Reports" was about who paid the most to get good results printed for them.
Very biased, IMO.

Use CR only for a list of available products to choose from..

Just how/where did you learn that "long ago"?

DogT · Apr 10, 2019

Ha. Today I went to the barn to start the tractor and click, click. So I get the voltmeter out and there appear to be over 8V from the positive terminal to the starter. I never could find anything wrong with the batteries, they hold a charge remain at 12.8V even after a couple days sitting. Never could find the SG tester. So, I took off all the positive wires, and the main positive one has an aftermarket battery clamp on it. That thing was filthy. I cleaned it all up real good, even took the negative leads off and cleaned them up. Bingo, starts like a champ, it just took me all day to work on those cables because I took some drugs for my stenosis this morning and I had to fight through that fog. I think the batteries are still good, even after 4 years. I now get in the tenths of volts across the cables while starting. Happy camper here and the fog has mostly lifted.