Need A Battery

[TonyC]

I need to get a new battery for my 62, and don't have a reference on what to get. I've been driving along fine, but now that the cold weather is here, and the time has changed, I'm using my lights and heater all the time now. Plus was rainy last week and the wipers were a must. So, low and behold I came out to drive to work and the battery was dead. Mindlessly I went out and put the battery charger on. I never paid any attention to the battery in her before until now. The previous owner had put in a AlphaCell gel battery. They are big back up power batteries with only 165 minutes of run time and are made for cable/broadband outdoor power.

I've checked out Napa and Auto Zone, Interstate and more, and no one list one for it. So...what would you all suggest?

[rcb1020]

AutoCraft Gold Battery, Group Size 24F, 700 CCA

buy it online from Advanced Auto Parts and save instant 15% , you can buy it online and pickup at your local store. You will need to print off your receipt and take it to the store with your old battery to get the core deposit back.

It was very easy !

[TonyC]

Would they actually take the gel cell as a core?

[charliemccraney]

I have a Diehard which is at least 9 years old. Not sure of the size. Whenever it's time to replace it, I plan to get another.

[Toyz]

I buy Optima Red Top AGM batteries through Advance. They do not list a lot of applications with their sorry website format. I just order my slick batteries for the 94 Bronco listing.If you prefer the larger 27 series, it should be available, although I have not seen it listed. Optima is a great battery if maintained by Optima standards, although I would not recommend it for a vehicle with parasitic drains.
It does great as to holding a charge while not being used, but not so much under small continuous drainage while setting.
Optima also requires using only a charger with an AGM charging setting if recharging is needed.
You can catch some really great % off sales at Advance, and I would not expect any problem with the core.
For day in/ day out usage where recharging on any charger, or immediate replacement anywhere might be a concern, this is one of the few items I buy from Walmart. Their prices are more than competitive on their 84 month batteries, and you can get a no-hassle replacement nearly anywhere if needed.

[Max]

The yellow wally-mart batteries are pretty darn good. No questions warranty. Have lasted in the Texas heat very well. Cold may be different animal with them. But there are Wal Marts pretty much everywhere which also helps.

[BigMike]

A lot of guys on my Jeep forum swear by Oddessy batteries. The Die-Hard Platinum is an Oddessy rebrand if you can't find one. They are deep cycle batteries that can take a lot of abuse.

Optima batteries are good as well, but most of the Jeep guys are getting away from them. Not sure there are vehicles that rely on batteries more than a Jeep - all normal functions plus lights, winches, inverters, on-board air, etc.

http://www.odysseybattery.com/auto.html

[okiewelder]

Do you still have the old generator in your truck? I drove a truck with a gen for years and there were times i had to charge it up if I was driving a lot with my stereo cranked up and all the other stuff on with it.
I was young and poor and could not afford the upgrade so just charged it from time to time.

[TonyC]

Do you still have the old generator in your truck?

No, the PO replaced it with an alternator. I have a good old fashion alternator/generator repair shop across from my house, and the owner is awesome. He knows Ford parts very well, and I'm going to get with him checking out the alternator to see if the PO put in the right one for the application.

And thanks for the info on the batteries everyone. I know the battery mount is huge on mine, so the sky seems to be the limit. Im planning on adding a few gauges, a stereo, and maybe some exterior lights, so I'm wanting to make sure I get something that will handle the everyday tasks, with a few more accessories, and be able to handle the cold temps as well.

[64 f100]

I try not to buy batteries from Walmart along with not buying as much as I can from them. Not much choice in this town nowdays though. I have had their batteries and no hassle replacing one, but haven't had muuch luck with their batteries otherwise.

Rich

[TonyC]

Thanks for the help everyone. I found out that the largest size to fit the battery tray was a group 29. After looking around my area for what was readily available, I opted for a Die Hard Gold, group size 27F. Comes with a 3 year replacement warranty, 825 CCA and 140 minute reserve.

I installed it immediately and wow what a difference. That power cell or what it was would never start her so easily.

[fire truck]

Optima batteries are good as well, but most of the Jeep guys are getting away from them.

Probably because the new ones are junk. They started out in Aurora, CO made great batts. a few years ago the sold out to johnson controls, the shut down the plant and moved production to mexico, the quality has gone WAY down. I have some in my truck that are 10 years old, I got 18 months out of the last few I bought, no more for me!