Replacing batteries

**jjoerger** · 03-18-2010, 11:37 AM

I need to replace all 4 batteries in a 2006 Freightliner Columbia.
Does anyone know where I can get a good deal?

**nightcreacher** · 03-18-2010, 12:52 PM

You may as well just go to the yellow pages ,and start calling around.Figure out what CCA's you need,and get prices.The higher the cold cranking amps,the shorter the life of the battery.I have my best luck with Alliance batteries.You get them either at TA truck stops or your friendly Freightliner dealer.Most batteries have a 18 month guarantee.If you find one with 24 months, that's better.Remember,truck batteries take much more abuse than regular auto batteries.

**Turtle** · 03-18-2010, 02:24 PM

"The higher the cold cranking amps,the shorter the life of the battery."

Depends. Batteries with high cold cranking amps are usually designed to be cranking, or starting, batteries. If used as a cranking battery, they'll last a long time. If you use it for something other than what it was designed for, like with an inverter while the engine isn't running, the life of the battery will be greatly reduced.

If you need a good dual purpose cranking and house bank battery, something like an Odyssey Group 31 PC2150 battery gives 1090 CCA and is a true deep cycle 100AH battery that can be used with inverters. It's not cheap, but should last at least 5 years in a normal expedited truck operation as long as you don't drain it down dead. Batteries Plus carries those. They weight in about about 85 pounds apiece. The heavier the battery, the more lead, the longer it will last.

**danthewolf00** · 03-18-2010, 09:00 PM

wow a short reply from turtle!

**ccrider** · 03-18-2010, 10:19 PM

I just replaced 4 in our Volvo 780. We went to Sam's club and got them for $96 each. They are 950 CCA. This wasn't the lowest price but it was the highest CCA we could find while OOS.

As far as I am concerned the CCA is all that matters when it's minus 5 outside and you have to start the truck.

**14Wheeler** · 03-19-2010, 12:05 AM

I was having bigtime problems with the OE batteries that came with my truck. After 3 years of use I got four of the Carrier PowerRush batteries. I was in at Carrier getting the reefer's compressor serviced and seen they had a sale going on. Even in the hottest of weather my 12V Artic Breeze AC will run non stop for 17 quiet hours.Never came close to that before. I got at least 50 recycles and still maintains 14 to 17 hours of continus operation of the Artic Breeze. Wasn't cheap but they got a no bs warranty and most important,they work.

**jjoerger** · 03-28-2010, 02:55 AM

I found Interstate 1010 batteries on sale at the TA in Richmond, VA for $99 each. With the help of another FedEx CC O/O and EO member we changed them out in the parking lot in about 30 minutes. (He actually did most of the work, so again many thanks)

Total cost for 4 batteries $419

**Deville** · 03-31-2010, 06:04 PM

I put 3 interstate Batteries in about 28 months ago, they are rated 1200 cranking amps a piece, they work great. The Winters out here have been rough & when I park my truck at night it's in an open yard & the wind just smacks into it on the Battery side. Never had an issue even when the truck has been sitting a 7 to 10 days at a time.