new battery

duckkiller0010 · 08-08-2007, 08:02 PM

i have to get a new battery tomorrow and what kind should i get i drive a 2000 chevy silverado z71 i want a good one not some cheap thing like the one i just had

72'CaminoKid · 08-08-2007, 08:37 PM

something spiral cell. like optima

mudseeker · 08-08-2007, 09:22 PM

aren't those batteries a couple hundred dollars? i would go with interstate, they seem to be a good brand and are a decent price.

75K30 · 08-08-2007, 10:00 PM

Did you guys / girls know that (like tires) there are really only a few actual manufacturers?
Look into it before you get too brand loyal. Some do better than others based on the amount of volume on "label" has over an other, so you may end up with a fresh unit.
Basically we are buying technology, and thus far the "Gel- Cell" (Like the Optima) are very much worth the investment. Plus, they do not spill...

NCroadracer · 08-08-2007, 11:23 PM

Ditto on the OPTIMA.... That's what i use.... A battery leak wreaks havoc on the silverado and sierra. It ruins the washer pump, bottle, lines and the tray its-self. If unnoticed for a while it will deteriorate the harness just beneath the tray too. Gell Cell is the way to go.

crabtruck · 08-09-2007, 05:12 AM

I use an Autlolite-84 in my k1500, high end of cheap batts, has enough to run mod extras for truck and in 17 yrs I've had 3 batts for this truck. Whatever the factory batt was cracked at post when dropping the front end off a 1.5' "cliff", a Sears batt died on me after some years of no use.

In my mom's 1 ton van with RV elect junk in back, the back is a gel cell $120 that is supposed to be "marine" but I put it in for non-gassing since it's inside. That has had enough power to start that heavy eng if need be and survived mod deep cycling for 8+ yrs. The eng batt for it is a Diehard Gold 900cca 1000ca that I bought 3 of in 1995 for $50 each. They don't rate batts that way anymore. I have one of the three in my house loose and I use it to jump neighbors and tourist cars/trks. Both these batts will stand at 12.6v 24hrs after disconnect, in other words holding charge excellently. The third I gave away and is still running in a 3/4T.

You never said why you need a new batt. Unless they find a short, bad alt, or kid left lights on all nite, everybody blames the batt for being lousy. I think most people are killing perfectly good batts. And then they add all that vodoo bs like putting batts on cement will kill them. I'm surprised how many mechs believe that one.

IMHO a cheap batt is fine unless you have a need for something special. Size/rating is more important than brand I think. Do you have some heavy extra loads, problems with freezing? Are you short tripping the truck so charging cycles are hurting? That sort of thing. And there's the math, 2 cheap batts for the price of 1 expensive with same total life is a toss up. For me cheap is better because when the wife runs windows etc with eng off and leaves lites on in garage and it dies, I will just say "no prob, it was a lousy batt"

NC, I hate leaks too, I run a 1/2" neopreme cushion under my batts to give them more survivability. Can't prove it works but haven't had a problem in 15 yrs or so (crab crosses fingers)

duckkiller0010 · 08-09-2007, 05:33 AM

ya my old battery ate my washer pump

75K30 · 08-09-2007, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabtruck

I use an Autlolite-84 in my k1500, high end of cheap batts, has enough to run mod extras for truck and in 17 yrs I've had 3 batts for this truck. Whatever the factory batt was cracked at post when dropping the front end off a 1.5' "cliff", a Sears batt died on me after some years of no use.

In my mom's 1 ton van with RV elect junk in back, the back is a gel cell $120 that is supposed to be "marine" but I put it in for non-gassing since it's inside. That has had enough power to start that heavy eng if need be and survived mod deep cycling for 8+ yrs. The eng batt for it is a Diehard Gold 900cca 1000ca that I bought 3 of in 1995 for $50 each. They don't rate batts that way anymore. I have one of the three in my house loose and I use it to jump neighbors and tourist cars/trks. Both these batts will stand at 12.6v 24hrs after disconnect, in other words holding charge excellently. The third I gave away and is still running in a 3/4T.

You never said why you need a new batt. Unless they find a short, bad alt, or kid left lights on all nite, everybody blames the batt for being lousy. I think most people are killing perfectly good batts. And then they add all that vodoo bs like putting batts on cement will kill them. I'm surprised how many mechs believe that one.

IMHO a cheap batt is fine unless you have a need for something special. Size/rating is more important than brand I think. Do you have some heavy extra loads, problems with freezing? Are you short tripping the truck so charging cycles are hurting? That sort of thing. And there's the math, 2 cheap batts for the price of 1 expensive with same total life is a toss up. For me cheap is better because when the wife runs windows etc with eng off and leaves lites on in garage and it dies, I will just say "no prob, it was a lousy batt"

NC, I hate leaks too, I run a 1/2" neopreme cushion under my batts to give them more survivability. Can't prove it works but haven't had a problem in 15 yrs or so (crab crosses fingers)

Excellent advice crab. I think I am gonna run right out and buy a cheap battery now. (Not really, but it sounded good).
I really can't agree more with the old wives tale regarding storage on concrete. Still laughing about that one.

bradrhale · 08-09-2007, 10:01 AM

i have had 2 continental batteries and both served me a many of years. ive cranked on those cars for hours when probs came around and never had to juice them up. i never buy nEVERSTART. have seen too many of them peter out over time. on that same note though, i have seen optima batteries taken back the week after.

crabtruck · 08-09-2007, 02:37 PM

Just saying it's hard to seperate lousy batts from lousy user after the fact.75 - I saw a used batt in want-ads for you, "dead, but can push start"

08-08-2007, 08:02 PM	#1
duckkiller0010 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 120	new battery i have to get a new battery tomorrow and what kind should i get i drive a 2000 chevy silverado z71 i want a good one not some cheap thing like the one i just had

08-08-2007, 08:37 PM	#2
72'CaminoKid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,756	something spiral cell. like optima __________________ 99 suburban xlt 96 silverado 91 wrangler (my baby ) 08 Honday shadow 750 (my mistress)

08-08-2007, 09:22 PM	#3
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,375	aren't those batteries a couple hundred dollars? i would go with interstate, they seem to be a good brand and are a decent price. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Battery light question	shaman683	Chevy Truck Forum	4	06-14-2007 09:50 PM
Lights blinking on '97 F-150, low battery??	okiefarmer	Ford Truck Forum	9	12-01-2006 11:04 AM
Battery Problem	chuck01	Chevy Truck Forum	3	07-03-2006 05:46 AM
Bad alternator or battery?	xanarchistx	GMC Truck Forum	6	06-14-2006 08:36 PM
battery problem	72'CaminoKid	Chevy Truck Forum	11	05-26-2006 03:33 PM

08-08-2007, 10:00 PM	#4
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	Did you guys / girls know that (like tires) there are really only a few actual manufacturers? Look into it before you get too brand loyal. Some do better than others based on the amount of volume on "label" has over an other, so you may end up with a fresh unit. Basically we are buying technology, and thus far the "Gel- Cell" (Like the Optima) are very much worth the investment. Plus, they do not spill...

08-08-2007, 11:23 PM	#5
NCroadracer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 295	Ditto on the OPTIMA.... That's what i use.... A battery leak wreaks havoc on the silverado and sierra. It ruins the washer pump, bottle, lines and the tray its-self. If unnoticed for a while it will deteriorate the harness just beneath the tray too. Gell Cell is the way to go.

08-09-2007, 05:12 AM	#6
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: on your 9 Posts: 3,366	I use an Autlolite-84 in my k1500, high end of cheap batts, has enough to run mod extras for truck and in 17 yrs I've had 3 batts for this truck. Whatever the factory batt was cracked at post when dropping the front end off a 1.5' "cliff", a Sears batt died on me after some years of no use. In my mom's 1 ton van with RV elect junk in back, the back is a gel cell $120 that is supposed to be "marine" but I put it in for non-gassing since it's inside. That has had enough power to start that heavy eng if need be and survived mod deep cycling for 8+ yrs. The eng batt for it is a Diehard Gold 900cca 1000ca that I bought 3 of in 1995 for $50 each. They don't rate batts that way anymore. I have one of the three in my house loose and I use it to jump neighbors and tourist cars/trks. Both these batts will stand at 12.6v 24hrs after disconnect, in other words holding charge excellently. The third I gave away and is still running in a 3/4T. You never said why you need a new batt. Unless they find a short, bad alt, or kid left lights on all nite, everybody blames the batt for being lousy. I think most people are killing perfectly good batts. And then they add all that vodoo bs like putting batts on cement will kill them. I'm surprised how many mechs believe that one. IMHO a cheap batt is fine unless you have a need for something special. Size/rating is more important than brand I think. Do you have some heavy extra loads, problems with freezing? Are you short tripping the truck so charging cycles are hurting? That sort of thing. And there's the math, 2 cheap batts for the price of 1 expensive with same total life is a toss up. For me cheap is better because when the wife runs windows etc with eng off and leaves lites on in garage and it dies, I will just say "no prob, it was a lousy batt" NC, I hate leaks too, I run a 1/2" neopreme cushion under my batts to give them more survivability. Can't prove it works but haven't had a problem in 15 yrs or so (crab crosses fingers)

08-09-2007, 05:33 AM	#7
duckkiller0010 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 120	ya my old battery ate my washer pump

08-09-2007, 10:01 AM	#9
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	i have had 2 continental batteries and both served me a many of years. ive cranked on those cars for hours when probs came around and never had to juice them up. i never buy nEVERSTART. have seen too many of them peter out over time. on that same note though, i have seen optima batteries taken back the week after.

08-09-2007, 02:37 PM	#10
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: on your 9 Posts: 3,366	Just saying it's hard to seperate lousy batts from lousy user after the fact.75 - I saw a used batt in want-ads for you, "dead, but can push start"