Batteries

[Bduck]

This sure is the time of year to find out if your batteries in your vehicles are going to survive. I have 2 bats. in my diesel and when one of them goes, the other is not far behind. Now I have to go get new batteries. Blasted truck will not start unless I put the charger on it. To make matters worse, mama's Escalade battery is dying, too. crymeariver Temperatures here at night have been single to low double digits at night and not much warmer in the day. violin

 

[SuperD]

Roger, have you been plugging in your block heater?

 

[FishHunter]

I went to gel cell batteries in the diesel and in the boat and have had no problems. They crank great and hold a charge for months without use. We've been below zero a couple nights in row now. The down side is they are bigger than standard batteries and it takes a little to get them to sit right.

 

[Bduck]

My batteries are at the end of their life now. I put 2 new ones in back in 02' for the same issue I'm having now. Diesels are very hard on batteries. Its a rarity that I use my block heater. The last time I used it was 3yrs ago. I work 9hr shifts and get off at 1230am. Uncle Sam is not going to provide electrical outlets for vehicles which would be nice. Besides, you the tax payer are providing more than enough to keep this country going.

 

[Full_Monte]

Hey...I'm surprised....I have diesel trucks also. Do Koke fishermen gravitate to diesels? Anyway...I have a tip to share on this battery thing. My "vacation" diesel with camper doesn't get used too often and for years I was having problems with starting because the batteries would drain between uses. I now use a cheap solar chargers like the 5 watt (or less) ones sold by Harbor Freight.
I plug one into the cigarette lighter and put the charger on the dash where it can collect light. I can now let my diesel sit for several months without starting it and it will still start on the first try. I have more trouble with boat batteries because I haven't found a way to solar charge them without "flooding" a solar charger in the rain. BTW...it doesn't snow where I live, so your results may vary.

 

[Kokaholic]

I have a power stroke and have talked with the Local Ford boys about the do's and Donts on these deisels, In the Winter, Simple. PLUG THEM IN! I use a timer so that I dont plug it in all night and use it longer than you need. I make it so that the timer turns on 3 hours prior to when I want to go. This also really helps with your glow plug relay switch. The factory sets these to go on the truck computer for 120 seconds. Don't turn the ignition so that your glow plugs come on and then shut it off and do it again. This is really hard on your glow relay switch. Turn it over, count it out for at least 60-90 seconds and this will help alot if you cant plug it in.

Since I have been doing this, I have really seen a diffrence. Also. if you do loose a glow plug relay, make sure that you replace it with a motorcraft or Mopar,gm quality original. costs a few more $$$ than an after market one, but I have gone both ways and it will pay off big time over the long haul.

 

[Bduck]

I have a power stroke and have talked with the Local Ford boys about the do's and Donts on these deisels, In the Winter, Simple. PLUG THEM IN! I use a timer so that I dont plug it in all night and use it longer than you need. I make it so that the timer turns on 3 hours prior to when I want to go. This also really helps with your glow plug relay switch. The factory sets these to go on the truck computer for 120 seconds. Don't turn the ignition so that your glow plugs come on and then shut it off and do it again. This is really hard on your glow relay switch. Turn it over, count it out for at least 60-90 seconds and this will help alot if you cant plug it in.

Since I have been doing this, I have really seen a diffrence. Also. if you do loose a glow plug relay, make sure that you replace it with a motorcraft or Mopar,gm quality original. costs a few more $$$ than an after market one, but I have gone both ways and it will pay off big time over the long haul.

Thats good to know Mark. Some of those guys at the dealerships fail to tell you certain things that will help enable you to maintain your vehicle. I had the glow plugs and relay replaced last winter on my Power Stroke. I bought 8yr batteries from Sears in 2002 and they have performed very well. Its time to replace them again. I have always had good success with the DieHard. I bought one of their new line of gels for my boat 2yrs ago and it has performed flawless. Unfortunately, it costs more than a regular battery. Sears is good for backing their products. I'm going to look into the gels this time for my stroke and hope there is a sale on them at least. thumbsup

 

[Kokefly]

You guys might try some battery blanket heaters, they are 50 watts and run on 120volts. Sure seems to help with the cold starts, i use one on my Chevy Luv diesel which is hard to start in the cold. Jim

 

[Kokaholic]

Roger I also have Sears Diehards in my stroker and love them. They are about 5 years old and are still going strong. I will put them in again when the time comes. I just hope its later than soonerworthy12