bdeboer
Platinum Member
Just traded in an '05 1/2 ton Chevy with the original AC Delco battery and 93K miles. It made a lot of less than 2 mile trips between rental properties etc., no problems.
Diesel Truck battery Life?
- Thread starter bucktaker
- Start date
- Views: 7137
roadhunter
Elite Member
I saw that Alex from ice road truckers was promoting another premium battery.
Maxwell Technologies Engine Start Module: for saving money, it's the fleet service manager's choice
Maxwell Technologies Engine Start Module: for saving money, it's the fleet service manager's choice
doxford jim
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2007
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- 1,004
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- British Columbia, Canada
- Tractor
- 1959 MF-65 sold, 2007 Jinma 554 diesel.
I have been getting 12 years each out of my pickup batteries - starting with the 1986 F250. I think if the water level is kept to recommended levels and VR working properly, good battery life will follow. My 2002 Ram 3500 batteries are still original and will start the truck down to -25C / -15F - any colder than that I don't even bother going outside unless it is absolutely needed (it gets to -35C/-30F quite often around here).
I think with proper maintenance, a truck battery should give at least ten years service.
I think with proper maintenance, a truck battery should give at least ten years service.
Soundguy
Old Timer
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- Mar 11, 2002
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- 51,575
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- Central florida
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- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
wow.. 12 years! impressive.
i get 5 max usually.
last set i had went 7.. but I nursed them the last year..
i get 5 max usually.
last set i had went 7.. but I nursed them the last year..
roadhunter
Elite Member
I'm always amazed with the info in these threads. People talking about getting 10-15 years of life out of a lead acid battery. That has definitely not been my experience with any batteries I have had.
I took my load tester to each battery today and both held the load in the good section. Truck hasnt been started in a week. I called the local gm dealer and asked for for the same AC battery and it was $120 each with a 42 month replacement warranty.
If one goes bad how do you know? will the diesel still start? I realize temperature may have an effect.
out of my three diesel trucks I have never replaced a battery 00 f250 7.3 psd 03 F350 6.0 psd 07 gmc duramax
If one goes bad how do you know? will the diesel still start? I realize temperature may have an effect.
out of my three diesel trucks I have never replaced a battery 00 f250 7.3 psd 03 F350 6.0 psd 07 gmc duramax
I took my load tester to each battery today and both held the load in the good section. Truck hasnt been started in a week. I called the local gm dealer and asked for for the same AC battery and it was $120 each with a 42 month replacement warranty.
If one goes bad how do you know? will the diesel still start? I realize temperature may have an effect.
out of my three diesel trucks I have never replaced a battery 00 f250 7.3 psd 03 F350 6.0 psd 07 gmc duramax
If one goes bad how do you know? will the diesel still start? I realize temperature may have an effect.
out of my three diesel trucks I have never replaced a battery 00 f250 7.3 psd 03 F350 6.0 psd 07 gmc duramax
Soundguy
Old Timer
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- Mar 11, 2002
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- Central florida
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- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
my wife's yukon eats a battery in 3 ys. IMHO.. they spec too small a battery for it and it's hard on it.
my diesel trucks have 2 large bats.. and like i said. i can usually get all 5ys out of a 5yr bat. my last set i actually got 7 ys.. but the 6th year, I could tell they were at about 80%.. and on the 7th year.. i could get real weak bats int he cold.. or if i didn't drive the truck a week....
sld
Veteran Member
As a Ford guy, I always replace my batteries with Motorcraft from the dealer. They are about the same price as the part stores stuff.
They have told me before that they typically get more life out of the replacements than the originals.
On average, my family vehicles have been getting 7-8 years on the original. My current truck left me stranded after a dove hunt and it was only 5 years old. Luckily the nearby farmer was home and was able to jump it. Replaced the next day.
Being proactive is great but I hate dropping 100 plus bucks for something that isn't used up yet. Kinda like your alternator. You just hope when it goes out it doesn't cause a major situation. When it died on my last truck I drove the last several miles, at night, on battery alone and coasted into the driveway with a dead engine!
They have told me before that they typically get more life out of the replacements than the originals.
On average, my family vehicles have been getting 7-8 years on the original. My current truck left me stranded after a dove hunt and it was only 5 years old. Luckily the nearby farmer was home and was able to jump it. Replaced the next day.
Being proactive is great but I hate dropping 100 plus bucks for something that isn't used up yet. Kinda like your alternator. You just hope when it goes out it doesn't cause a major situation. When it died on my last truck I drove the last several miles, at night, on battery alone and coasted into the driveway with a dead engine!
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
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- 51,575
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- Central florida
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- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
a buddy and me were driving home from work, both of us have diesel trucks with 2 bats. his alt died ont he way to work. onthe way home we swapped batteries so he would have a hot set to get home.. then swapped back the next morning after putting his alt on.