John, I would like to try those next time! Right before I parked my Freightliner, I replaced all 4 Batteries with interstate heavy duty ones, and they get charged about once every 2 weeks since the truck is sitting. If I ever have to go back to driving cross country and need an anti idle device, I have been thinking of adding another battery box and another 4 batteries to power a fuel fired heater and Battery powered A/C unit (like the "blue cool") the Optima's would be great for an application like that. The battery powered stuff is getting a lot better than it used to be, more power, less weight, and I am afraid that the "greenies" will make APU's & gen sets obsolete, because you will still be "idling" and releasing harmful emissions into the atmosphere! So I think Battery powered technology will be the way to go!.......Doug  

Greetings from New Mexico, the "land of entrapment" 

Doug,

Try these next time.They are making them in a group 31 now, not much more than any other but they work real well  http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_products/yellowtop/index.php  Alot of the gaurd units were having them shipped from home, only thing that wouldnt self destruct off road up in Iraq until the millitary started shipping over glass mat batteries.John

John Costley

ATHS Online Division Charter Member

Sabattus, Maine

When I got my truck in December of 05 the guy that sold it to me had a huge stack of batteries and part of my deal was that I got a couple of batteries so I could get it home.

He told me that the stack of batteries were rebuilt ones so I was very leary. I now have them in my parts truck and just reciently 1 failed, 1 is still good. 4 years on any battery is pretty good here.........Just as good as new ones and much cheaper.

I wish that I could find his supplier. I'd buy more rebuilt ones.

 Doug I know the reason we don't get better service out of our batteries. I expect my drivers to go where I go the job sites can be really hard on a vehicle when all 4 tires come off the ground plus we have the Earth's furnace that keeps every one from freezing to death.

Sorry for those in WV & VA we turned off the thermostat for DC.last week

 

 I don't guess I have the same luck with batteries as you guys Excide seems to be about as good as I can get over here and theyare good for 1 to 2 years max my 07 Chevy just started on its 2nd AC Delco back in Sept. we seem to have to buy at least 10 batteries every 2 to 3 months for one or the other vehicles.

 and Yes when they get low on water just toss them at the same time when replaceing a battery or 2 or 4 what ever pull the starter have it checked and the ALT rebuilt

 if a battery is low on charge with the specific gravity below 1150 it can freeze solid @ 10F slush @ 15f even one just a little down say at 1250 can slush @-10f a dead flat battery that reads 1100 or below will freeze @ 25f

 Once they freeze the plates inside warp and short out against each other it might take a charge afterwards but will almost never hold up to a 75% or higher load test.

 sell em to a scraper for what ever they will pay or in the case if you bought them new carry it back to where you bought it and demand your recycle tax rebate that you had to pay when you bought it, for being a good citizen.

 

I did have a couple Napa batteries crap out after 3 years, but most are lasting much longer.

Bruce

1932 White 643 restored in the working museum