Diehard, not so much!

AC Rob · 09-18-2010, 07:43 AM

My 2nd Battery died yesterday and it was Sears Die-Hard Gold/75
That makes 2 batteries in 5 yrs and 2 months.
I just can't figure if this was due to the extreme heat this summer here, or lack of use.
I have not used a charger, but will be picking one up.

Went with a NAPA brand this time and we'll see.

ssrtruck · 09-18-2010, 07:48 AM

You definately need to put the battery on a maintainer if you don't use the truck regularly. The heat is also hard on batteries, but the parasitic draw is excessive on the SSR. A month of not running the truck will zap the life out of a battery.

Catbert · 09-18-2010, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC Rob

My 2nd Battery died yesterday and it was Sears Die-Hard Gold/75
That makes 2 batteries in 5 yrs and 2 months.
I just can't figure if this was due to the extreme heat this summer here, or lack of use.
I have not used a charger, but will be picking one up.

Went with a NAPA brand this time and we'll see.

The heat's a killer. When I lived in Tempe, I never had a battery last over 3 years in any of my cars. I got Autozone's battery so the replacement was free.

OP · 09-18-2010, 10:23 AM

Rob, same issue with me on my optima battery. Even had a trickler on it when it started dying.
Switched to an odyssey and maintain it and very happy so far a year later with very little driving. BUT do not get the heat you do.

DOOPHUS · 09-18-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC Rob

My 2nd Battery died yesterday and it was Sears Die-Hard Gold/75
That makes 2 batteries in 5 yrs and 2 months.
I just can't figure if this was due to the extreme heat this summer here, or lack of use.
I have not used a charger, but will be picking one up.

Went with a NAPA brand this time and we'll see.

Big Ole Bummer, Rob.

KNOCK ON WOOD . . . the second battery in The Doophus is now approaching three years and is chugging along just fine so far.

Hooking up the Battery Tender Plus via the special AUX connection plug (50 bucks and about 10 more for the longer cable and plug) after every outing seems to be helping so far.

Good Luck

crazyrtr53 · 09-18-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOOPHUS

Big Ole Bummer, Rob.

KNOCK ON WOOD . . . the second battery in The Doophus is now approaching three years and is chugging along just fine so far.

Hooking up the Battery Tender Plus via the special AUX connection plug (50 bucks and about 10 more for the longer cable and plug) after every outing seems to be helping so far.

Good Luck

It's gotta be that extra $10.00 cable that's done it...

crazyrtr53 · 09-18-2010, 10:43 AM

My Die-Hard Gold died in my Tundra ( a DD) after 3 years two mouths, but you luck out if that happens.
If it croaks before three years you get a new one and continue with your original 5 years warranty.

If it croaks like mine did you get a super pro-rate, it cost me $32.00 for a new Die-Hard Gold and you start with a whole new 5 year warranty...

Note: They did tell me that the Die-Hard has a re-designed case for the heat, will see how long this one lasts....

Slingshot Lou · 09-18-2010, 10:54 AM

First the reason Sears calls it die hard cause when it dies it dies hard. Never had any luck with die hard batteries. Second if dont use you car like me and a garage queen get a battery tender plus and the best priceI got was at Ace hardware 49.00 plus tax I was cheaper than e bay and going directly to the Battery Tender site.

WOW_FCTR · 09-19-2010, 06:31 AM

I just put in my third battery...the battery terminals were all corroded.

Dicktator · 09-19-2010, 06:38 AM

I lived in the North most of my life and I have never seen batteries go BAD as fast as they do in HEAT!

Florida is HARD on Batteries and I think the "tender" is the best idea.

Dicktator

DRV4SHOW · 09-19-2010, 10:02 PM

From my Jeeping experiences. I use the Optima 12 Volt Yellow Top Deep Cycle Battery. It's about 200 bucks. But, never had a problem with them. Most of my jeep friends swear by them. I can park the jeep in the georgia heat and humidity for a month and it's starts up like a champ.

Good luck

spook · 09-21-2010, 07:59 AM

Can't help at all with this one. I have an 04 with the original battery...but it has always stayed on a bettery tender. Had it stored for a year while I was in Spain. I do realize that my battery is on it's last legs though. It's no where as strong as it used to be. Oh yeah took second place in the modified truck category this past weekend at the rods and ribs car show in Ozark Arkansas. Two SSR's were entered (the other one was in the original category...even though it was not original side pipes etc). Great fun though. Sorry didn't mean to hi jack the thread.

DOOPHUS · 09-21-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRV4SHOW

From my Jeeping experiences. I use the Optima 12 Volt Yellow Top Deep Cycle Battery. It's about 200 bucks. But, never had a problem with them. Most of my jeep friends swear by them. I can park the jeep in the georgia heat and humidity for a month and it's starts up like a champ.

Good luck

, DRV4SHOW . . .

Yellow Top Optimas exclusively in The Bummer . . . they last for at least five years with no special care required.

The Bummer going Off-Road . . .