The first full set of batteries I got cost me about $600. I was sold the wrong type (starting batteries are not spec for Opti-idle trucks) and they failed in a year.
The second full set of batteries cost me over $1000, but there were a couple extra hours of labor charged for diagnostics because neither I nor the dealership thought that a full set of one year old batteries should be bad already. Even still, paying over $1000 for a set of batteries irritated the hell out of me, but I #### well wanted to find out what was wrong with the truck before trying to fix it. Throwing parts at a problem you don't understand can get a lot more expensive than paying for troubleshooting.
Crap Batteries
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Midwest Trucker, Jan 8, 2021.
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I’m a light sleeper so the vibration affected my sleep.
I had a Webasco also and it would drain the batteries down enough that the low voltage cutout it was hooked through would kick it off after a few hours.
Shopped checked batteries and put new batteries in . Same scenario.
Couldn’t make it through the night without it kicking off.
Kind of defeats the purpose of having the separate heater other than arriving to a cold truck and being able to fire up the heater.Last edited: Jan 10, 2021
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CENTENNIAL 950cca. These are the good ones I got from Volvo. I can't say how long they will last but they're still super strong at 1 year. I just Googled around for about 15 minutes and figured out they are made by Trojan, a really good name in batteries. No wonder. I'll buy em again.
https://herehydro.weebly.com/uploads/9/3/9/1/93913/battery_manufacturers_and_brand_names_list.pdf
Not sure what's going on with some of y'alls bunk heaters but something is up. Espar/Webasto don't pull but like 7 amps when heating the glow plug to start, then they drop significantly. Basically you're just running the fan and fuel pump after they start. 1 or 2 amps on high.Last edited: Jan 10, 2021
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I don’t have issues with batteries because I do one thing, I install maxwell expert modules in every truck and have little issues with batteries. They are ~$800 and install is easy and the last time I replaced batteries it wast because they were bad but damaged by an accident.
Op my advice is to complain to kw, they can deal with the dealer and possibly get you some money back.Accidental Trucker, Rideandrepair, Farmerbob1 and 4 others Thank this. -
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Interesting. So what would it do... extend the remaining batteries life by dedicating the module to start ups?
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I’m glad @Ridgeline brought this up. It looks very interesting. If $800 makes the batteries last dang near forever that is a good thing. Figuring i’ve got 4 trucks with 3 batteries each and I try to keep one spare on a shelf for a quick replacement of one that always shorts out at the wrong time and most are $130-150 each. I’ve spent probably $5000 in batteries over the last 20 years even with the top of line brands.
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