Bought a new battery today

[Mark_88]

Well, you have a new battery...but the main thing isn't what your truck has for options but how much cranking power it will need in cold weather...more is usually better.

You could fab up a tie down system and, as others have said, it is important to secure the battery...not just to prevent fires and explosions, but also to keep the terminals tight...a few no starts in cold or wet weather are worth the time you spend to secure the battery...and check out the cold cranking amps on your new battery...

Oh, and did you know that junkyards sell batteries, sometimes new ones, for $25? I've bought a few new ones over the years but found the used ones work just as well and that extra $100 can buy other things that you might enjoy...like beer...

 

[shane96ranger]

It's not like a bomb.

I disagree. Anything that contains an explosive gas and is capable of putting a dent in your hood upon ignition is very much like a bomb. I also blew up a hydrogen cell once (pieces of which will never be found), and there isn't much difference.

 

[daniel3507]

Its important to have a tie down because without one the battery wont last near as long. some places wont even warranty it if it has no tie down.

Sent from not an Iphone when i should be doing something important.

 

[EMB1230]

Well, you have a new battery...but the main thing isn't what your truck has for options but how much cranking power it will need in cold weather...more is usually better.

Oh, and did you know that junkyards sell batteries, sometimes new ones, for $25? I've bought a few new ones over the years but found the used ones work just as well and that extra $100 can buy other things that you might enjoy...like beer...

True, but I got all summer to save up for a larger one, lol. I was actually going to just get a used one for now, but a friend talked me into getting a new one, piece of mind, etc. This new one was only $65+ tax.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Oh, and did you know that junkyards sell batteries, sometimes new ones, for $25? I've bought a few new ones over the years but found the used ones work just as well and that extra $100 can buy other things that you might enjoy...like beer...

I have seen them there but never thought they were worth the risk. If you happen to catch a battery truck making a drop off sometimes they have batteries that exceeded their shelf life. My Ranger is currently packing a 700CCA Interstate that I paid $20 for a year ago. No warrenty, but for $20 you can hardly go wrong.

Its important to have a tie down because without one the battery wont last near as long. some places wont even warranty it if it has no tie down.

Some things don't have one, the batteries in my tractors are contained by steel boxes. There is no provisions at all for a hold down... just the thin plywood glued to the lid to prevent arcing if I roll one over.

 

[Mark_88]

True, but I got all summer to save up for a larger one, lol. I was actually going to just get a used one for now, but a friend talked me into getting a new one, piece of mind, etc. This new one was only $65+ tax.

That's not too bad...I can't find a new one for under $100 around here...so I go take the path of least resistance...

I have seen them there but never thought they were worth the risk. If you happen to catch a battery truck making a drop off sometimes they have batteries that exceeded their shelf life. My Ranger is currently packing a 700CCA Interstate that I paid $20 for a year ago. No warrenty, but for $20 you can hardly go wrong.

Yep, I never thought about them as being any good but one time I needed a spare for boosting and I picked one up...turned out to be better than the battery I had and have found a few that were only a year or so old...it's good when you can pick through them and check the manufacturer dates and CCA's too!

 

[killj0y]

Yea I buy them off a guy who rebuilds them and sells them for 25. Last one lasted about 4 years no hiccups and that's with a system lol. 1200 watt amp running 2 12s.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

All batteries have a potential for premature failure....

Although I've never had a wally-world battery survive it's warranty, despite buying the 3yr free replacement ones, the longest I've managed to make it was 2 years. Although my old boss had one of the 2yr free replacement ones last nearly 9 years being shaken around in a piece of equipment.....

Autozone "Duralast" batteries seem to be ok, I put one in my one lawn tractor about 5 years ago.... Plus if you ask, a lot of stores often have "used" batteries which are nothing more than a battery that has sat on the shelf for a year. I think it's something like $35 for a "used" battery.

I currently have a Diehard in my F-150, but it was a warranty deal and I upgraded to the 3 yr free replacement from the 2 yr. I had to do a LOT of arguing with them to get it swapped out. They claimed it tested fine, but every cold morning my truck wouldn't start, there was no parasitic drains that I could find and the battery cables were good along with the alternator.....

I have bought junkyard batteries before, I just looked for the newest ones I could find and made sure they were load tested before throwing my money down, most lived out their indicated warranty period before failing in winter.

I am a firm believer in using dielectric grease on the battery terminals though. I've had terminals fail enough times without using it and haven't had a problem since I started using it. And I gave up on lead terminals or those cheap stamped metal ones, I've gone to brass marine terminals.

As far as the tie downs, it seems a lot of the new style ones like to snap the bolt off, I usually drill it out and tap it for a 1/4-20 thread and stick a stainless bolt in there. For the old style, I just get the replacement J-hooks. A bungee will work in a pinch, but keep watch on the hooks on the end of it, if they get any spilled acid on them, they'll often corrode in a hurry.