whats a good battery to buy
whats a good battery to buy
I have interstate in my '77 f150 hasn't let me down yet it got a little tired about a year ago when it was in the shop for a awhile gave it a charge been great sense
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 175
From: northern Germany
Depends on your application.
There is nothing better than an AGM battery. Lead acid batteries are cheap- thats their only advantage.
Check out if you need a starter battery or a deep cycle battery.
Two choices Optima or Odyssey. Odysseys deliver a bit more capacity due to their plate design.
Expensive are both.
But to be honest- if you treat a battery in the wrong way you will kill them all, no matter what brand.
Most people think an Optima is undestructable, but they are vulnerable. Discharge them deeply below 40% a couple of times without instant recharge and they are history. No matter what battery brand.
Discharge them deeper than 50% and your charge cycles are also decreased combined with a lack of capacity.
Another fact is that most alternators charge a battery around 85%. So your useable capacity is only 35% before recharge. Give the battery a complete recharge with a good external charger once a month to keep the capacity up before the battery gets used to the 85% charging state.
There is nothing better than an AGM battery. Lead acid batteries are cheap- thats their only advantage.
Check out if you need a starter battery or a deep cycle battery.
Two choices Optima or Odyssey. Odysseys deliver a bit more capacity due to their plate design.
Expensive are both.
But to be honest- if you treat a battery in the wrong way you will kill them all, no matter what brand.
Most people think an Optima is undestructable, but they are vulnerable. Discharge them deeply below 40% a couple of times without instant recharge and they are history. No matter what battery brand.
Discharge them deeper than 50% and your charge cycles are also decreased combined with a lack of capacity.
Another fact is that most alternators charge a battery around 85%. So your useable capacity is only 35% before recharge. Give the battery a complete recharge with a good external charger once a month to keep the capacity up before the battery gets used to the 85% charging state.
Diesel Bomber
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,638
Likes: 638
From: Bend OR
Another fact is that most alternators charge a battery around 85%. So your useable capacity is only 35% before recharge. Give the battery a complete recharge with a good external charger once a month to keep the capacity up before the battery gets used to the 85% charging state.
Plug it in on Friday nights and let it sit overnight. I am amaized how much better the truck cranks over in the morning and how quick the charge comes up to 14.2 volts.
i see y ur sig says Joe-AKA Gauge ***** 
Diesel Bomber
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,638
Likes: 638
From: Bend OR
17 total...
4 on the A pillar, 4 on the over head, 3 on the under dash. 4 around the factory bezel, one on the dash top and then the steering column pod which is a scan gauge...
4 on the A pillar, 4 on the over head, 3 on the under dash. 4 around the factory bezel, one on the dash top and then the steering column pod which is a scan gauge...
