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For very specific use cases like yours where there is constant large loads on the battery, or like a winch deck wrecker etc, I can see the argument for the higher end batteries. As an everyday starting battery on a regular use pickup, I still say paying 4 times the price, average Odyssey is $800 U.S., way more in Canada, is not going to result in 4 times the longevity of a $130 Lead Acid or $180 AGM Costco Interstate..Another vote for the Odysseys, I plow with my truck and they hold up real well to the quick and deep draws a plow pump puts on em
| Item Number | 1624794 |
| Group Size | H7 (94R) |
| CCA | 765 |
| CA | 955 |
Unfortunately no one really mentioned the Everstarts from Walmart , the AGM H7’s priced at 179.84 , probably the best value out there ,and the 4 year free replacement . Have no idea what battery you went with from Costco AGM or just lead acid . It sounded like you were either influenced by something you read or whatever ,but were scared away from AGM, which are a much better battery , and would have served you well in your Ram 6.7 diesel . Interstate from Costco are just your average battery like most of the others , plus they have a terrible warranty . 3 year prorated the minute you buy them . Does not seem like a very attractive buy to me . Not trying to sound critical ,but much better buys warranty etc out there .ISSUE RESOLVED:
Got up this morning and told my wife that you know I'd chose the duralast with the longer and better warranty but if she wanted to make the call on either the duralast or the interstate's from Costco then I really don't care all that much and whatever she decides I'm good either way. So it was off to Costco for 2 interstates h7 94r and we got those changed out later. Everything appears to be gtg know and hopefully we won't have to worry about batteries for another 5 years, fingers crossed.
Ohhh, before going to Costco the truck fired right up this morning since we left the block heater plugged in all night to make it easier for the lower voltage batteries to turn it over.
I just wanted to thank everyone who chimed in and offered their much appreciated advice and opinions. We both know the odessey's would of probably been the best battery and route to go but we didn't want to spend that much and I couldn't get past only receiving a 3yr warranty for a higher price tag, so we'll see how these interstates hold up.
Thanks again.
If he's smart in that cold climate ,he should be running 5w-40 in that 6.7 Cummins , and no doubt a block heater if it sits in cold , even some attached garages will usually give enough heat to not need a block heater .I just came across this post and never read it all, so may have missed some info.
I am north of you , in Sask, Ca. BTW it was shorts and T shirt weather yesterday, but windy as hell.
If you are starting this truck every morning, It will last years longer if you put a good timer on the block heater and have it come on about 3- 4 hours early morning.
I don't know what these use for oil these days, but when I was running diesel tractors and heavy truck, It would be plugged in when it was close to freezing, the 855 Cummins with 30 oil needed to have heaters on if a cloud blocked the sun, But I have no heated shop large enough for the large stuff.
She sure as hell is but unfortunately for me she knows it, hahaha.To the OP, now go get you a battery maintainer designed to be installed in the truck and plug it in when it's parked. Despite having 2 batteries, you only need 1 maintainer and they will keep those new batteries in 'new' condition for many years despite short trips and what not. Good luck, you have a smart wife like many of us here haha, Smokey
We did end up getting the interstate h7 94r agm's from Costco, so definitely wasn't scared off from agm's . Like you, I would of gone with a battery that had a good free replacement warranty like the duralast platinum elite with the 5yr warranty that I was campaigning for and not just a joke prorated warranty. The wife is a huge believer in interstate batteries ( being a northern girl) and Costco so I said she should decide on this one and either way I'm good with it. Their both good brands so hopefully we don't have to use that prorated deal, because I'm already primed for some husband to wife sarcasm lol. I'd rather her be right or lucky though as opposed to having to exchange batteries in a couple years, so we'll see but she has a better track record at being right then me so she gets this one, i did choose and designed the ram though and thats what was important to me.Unfortunately no one really mentioned the Everstarts from Walmart , the AGM H7’s priced at 179.84 , probably the best value out there ,and the 4 year free replacement . Have no idea what battery you went with from Costco AGM or just lead acid . It sounded like you were either influenced by something you read or whatever ,but were scared away from AGM, which are a much better battery , and would have served you well in your Ram 6.7 diesel . Interstate from Costco are just your average battery like most of the others , plus they have a terrible warranty . 3 year prorated the minute you buy them . Does not seem like a very attractive buy to me . Not trying to sound critical ,but much better buys warranty etc out there .
I wouldn't have any other battery then an Everstart AGM ,warranty price ,availability , etc etc . I suggest when you have to buy another set look into the Everstart AGM's from Walmart . A bit confused also ,you couldn't get passed the 3 year warranty on the Odyssey, but opted for a 3 year prorated from Costco ?????
We try not to stay put in cold climates for very long since we're full time rver's, going on 10 years now.If he's smart in that cold climate ,he should be running 5w-40 in that 6.7 Cummins , and no doubt a block heater if it sits in cold , even some attached garages will usually give enough heat to not need a block heater .
We try not to stay put in cooler climates for very long since we're full time rver's going on 10 years now, it's just our residency that's is in SDOnce a battery gets a dead cell it is toast. Buy 2 new quality batteries and then you will probably get a quick start. Plus bing in South Dakota it gets much colder - cold kills a battery and being 5 years old- it is history !
Heat , and cold are both pretty rough on batteries. Here in Utah my batteries see more extreme heat with 100 degree days than any cold that would shorten their lifespan. My trucks in a garage in the winter , and it’s probably 30 degrees or warmer in my garage in the winter .Once a battery gets a dead cell it is toast. Buy 2 new quality batteries and then you will probably get a quick start. Plus bing in South Dakota it gets much colder - cold kills a battery and being 5 years old- it is history !
No, I'm talking about a maintainer. There's a huge difference. I wired mine in so that the cord dangles right next to the block heater cord. I'll try posting a link, but not sure if it'll work. HF has them if not as do most hardware stores and all auto parts stores.She sure as hell is but unfortunately for me she knows it, hahaha.
Battery maintainer, are you talking about a trickle charger and plugging in all the time?
Gotcha, yea that makes sense, but does it just maintain the one battery its connected too or can I assume it would maintain both batteries since their in parallel with each other? I'd probably go with a noco brand maintainer.No, I'm talking about a maintainer. There's a huge difference. I wired mine in so that the cord dangles right next to the block heater cord. I'll try posting a link, but not sure if it'll work. HF has them if not as do most hardware stores and all auto parts stores.
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You definitely only use 1 ONE. It will maintain both batteries equally. If you put one on each battery they will read each other and not do anything because they'll assume the other maintainer is a topped up battery. ONE, just one and it doesn't matter which battery you wire it to. I put mine on the passenger side battery because that was the easiest place to find a home for the actual maintainer and then I fed the cord out beside the block heater cord. Good luck, SmokeyGotcha, yea that makes sense, but does it just maintain the one battery its connected too or can I assume it would maintain both batteries since their in parallel with each other? I'd probably go with a noco brand maintainer.
Charger/maintainer like a Noco https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS2-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W6B987F. I personally dont think that an alternator really properly charges a battery so I charge my vehicles every month or two regardless of how much they are driven. These have an AGM mode as well. I think I got 12 years out of the last battery in my 350z, it sits most of the winter on the trickle charger.She sure as hell is but unfortunately for me she knows it, hahaha.
Battery maintainer, are you talking about a trickle charger and plugging in all the time?
Noco would definitly be the brand i went with, it's just a matter of choosing the right model for us. Hopefully there not all battery clamps style like the model in your links picture, but also come with some ring terminals for a much more secure permanent solutionCharger/maintainer like a Noco https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS2-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W6B987F. I personally dont think that an alternator really properly charges a battery so I charge my vehicles every month or two regardless of how much they are driven. These have an AGM mode as well. I think I got 12 years out of the last battery in my 350z, it sits most of the winter on the trickle charger.
Noco would definitly be the brand i went with, it's just a matter of choosing the right model for us. Hopefully there not all battery clamps style like the model in your links picture, but also come with some ring terminals for a much more secure permanent solution