Replacement Battery Upgrade Options

Darksky · April 13, 2019

I’m starting to consider a replacement battery for my 2015 6.2L High Country 1500. It has the 94R type battery, I believe.

I have looked over the threads I could find with the search function without any specific results. One type that came up in a few of the threads is the XS Power brand, but there is not a recommendation for which series is most desirable. I also wasn’t able to find one in 94R.

it seems that the majority of newer batteries have lower CCA than I recall in older “heavy duty” batteries. I’ve bought 1000 CCA batteries in the past, but now 800 -850 seems to be about the highest. The new Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries may be more efficient and therefore can operate reliably with less CCAs, I don’t know. My truck has to be relied upon in rural, cold weather situations, I need a strong, long life battery.

That said, my questions are;

Exactly which replacement battery have you used?

What is good/bad about it and why?

What would recommend for an extreme duty battery?

What else would you recommend replacing?

-I don’t know if these trucks need the “Big 3” replacement

-my alternator is functioning within normal limits, but I’m open to replacement options as needed.

-my cables seem clean, undamaged and corrosion free.

TXGREEK · April 13, 2019

I’m starting to consider a replacement battery for my 2015 6.2L High Country 1500. It has the 94R type battery, I believe.

I have looked over the threads I could find with the search function without any specific results. One type that came up in a few of the threads is the XS Power brand, but there is not a recommendation for which series is most desirable. I also wasn’t able to find one in 94R.

it seems that the majority of newer batteries have lower CCA than I recall in older “heavy duty” batteries. I’ve bought 1000 CCA batteries in the past, but now 800 -850 seems to be about the highest. The new Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries may be more efficient and therefore can operate reliably with less CCAs, I don’t know. My truck has to be relied upon in rural, cold weather situations, I need a strong, long life battery.

That said, my questions are;

Exactly which replacement battery have you used?
What is good/bad about it and why?
What would recommend for an extreme duty battery?
What else would you recommend replacing?
-I don’t know if these trucks need the “Big 3” replacement
-my alternator is functioning within normal limits, but I’m open to replacement options as needed.
-my cables seem clean, undamaged and corrosion free.

Switched to Odyssey Battery on my Yukon, from the beginning the previous stock battery gauge would slightly flinch just by someone turning on the in cab lights or even when turning on headlights but not now with the new Odyssey battery, nothing flinches and also much more secure feeling on road trips. Very solid battery with excellent reviews.

Sent from above

Darksky · April 13, 2019

Searching them now. Looks like the Performance series is the best choice in 94R. The Extreme version is not offered in that configuration.

that seems to be a very good battery.

Anyone heard of Kinetik? I know they are big in the high end audio circle. But, I don’t see a 94R from them either.

edit: what about NorthStar? Anyone with any experience with this one? I just read where Odyssey Extreme and NorthStar AGM are the best batteries made. NorthStar makes their high end one in 94R. That may decide for me.

Chime in with your opinions.

Edited April 13, 2019 by Darksky

Jacoby · April 13, 2019

Odyssey

diyer2 · April 13, 2019

I live rural in the mountains of Colorado.

Batteries are like oil and filters, buy what makes you happy.

I try to buy them on sale and replace every 4 years.

Many different brands over the years and no bad ones.

wforrest08 · April 13, 2019

I have a Odyssey in my 3/4 ton been in there since 2015. Bought it off Amazon cause at the time that was the cheapest price I could find. 0 problems with it truck sits out 365 days a year in the open Iowa weather. Will sit a month or more sometimes, plows our drive all winter long but the last 2 years haven’t drove it in between snow falls. Can go out anytime even in - degree weather and it cranks right over had a Interstate HD non AMG in it before and in the cold it would crank slow and I wouldn’t let it go days without starting in in - degree weather for fear of it not starting.

I use to put Optimas in all my trucks as I work on call and they get left outside for days at a time if I’m at work. Always had good luck with them and they would last for years but went with the Odyssey this time cause Optima was sold to Johnson Control and there was at that time a lot of reports of battery failures with the “new” ones. Not sure if that’s still the case? I looked awhile ago and they didn’t list a 94r for these trucks anyway as I need to replace the one in my 1/2 ton sometime. I might try a Interstate AMG as I have had great luck with them in past vehicles. I will say I’ve tried a couple of their small batteries in lawn mowers, motorcycle, ect that haven’t lasted worth a crap.

I also put a Odyssey in our Polaris sidexside 3ish years ago. It was amazing how compared to the factory pos battery it cranked over and started. Unfortunately I let it drain down at some point from lack of use and no trickle charger and I believe it now has a dead cell in it. I 1 amp charged it with my AMG charger a couple times now but it never fully recovered. This is one of the things about AMGs if you do some research on them is that they can be finicky to take a charge if you let the voltage get low, and are hard to recover them from dead. So something to keep in mind. With that said I’ll still replace it with another Odyssey now that Polaris lives on a trickle charger.

I read into doing the “big 3” on my 1/2 ton. Most guys agree it’s a worthless upgrade on these since the alternator is variable voltage.

TXGREEK · April 13, 2019

I have a Odyssey in my 3/4 ton been in there since 2015. Bought it off Amazon cause at the time that was the cheapest price I could find. 0 problems with it truck sits out 365 days a year in the open Iowa weather. Will sit a month or more sometimes, plows our drive all winter long but the last 2 years haven’t drove it in between snow falls. Can go out anytime even in - degree weather and it cranks right over had a Interstate HD non AMG in it before and in the cold it would crank slow and I wouldn’t let it go days without starting in in - degree weather for fear of it not starting.

I use to put Optimas in all my trucks as I work on call and they get left outside for days at a time if I’m at work. Always had good luck with them and they would last for years but went with the Odyssey this time cause Optima was sold to Johnson Control and there was at that time a lot of reports of battery failures with the “new” ones. Not sure if that’s still the case? I looked awhile ago and they didn’t list a 94r for these trucks anyway as I need to replace the one in my 1/2 ton sometime. I might try a Interstate AMG as I have had great luck with them in past vehicles. I will say I’ve tried a couple of their small batteries in lawn mowers, motorcycle, ect that haven’t lasted worth a crap.

I also put a Odyssey in our Polaris sidexside 3ish years ago. It was amazing how compared to the factory pos battery it cranked over and started. Unfortunately I let it drain down at some point from lack of use and no trickle charger and I believe it now has a dead cell in it. I 1 amp charged it with my AMG charger a couple times now but it never fully recovered. This is one of the things about AMGs if you do some research on them is that they can be finicky to take a charge if you let the voltage get low, and are hard to recover them from dead. So something to keep in mind. With that said I’ll still replace it with another Odyssey now that Polaris lives on a trickle charger.

I read into doing the “big 3” on my 1/2 ton. Most guys agree it’s a worthless upgrade on these since the alternator is variable voltage.

I’m really digging the Odyssey battery in my Yukon, it’s obviously a far superior battery to the OEM. I’ve used Optima’s years ago in multiple lifted high dollar SUV’s until I just got sick of replacing them. Apparently, Optimas don’t like to be contained in sealed battery boxes which are designed to protect the battery against outside elements, they overheated! Doesn’t Odyssey give a 3year full replacement?

Sent from above

Snowcamo · April 13, 2019

I’m really digging the Odyssey battery in my Yukon, it’s obviously a far superior battery to the OEM. I’ve used Optima’s years ago in multiple lifted high dollar SUV’s until I just got sick of replacing them. Apparently, Optimas don’t like to be contained in sealed battery boxes which are designed to protect the battery against outside elements, they overheated! Doesn’t Odyssey give a 3year full replacement?

Sent from above

Yes they do. Even if you kill it completely. Just dont bring the vehicle. Battery only. Been there... They are awesome for the money. Next up is XS power. Agms give up the power quicker and generally charge quicker being the norm resting charge for the batt is like 13.8 vs the 14+ of led acid.

wforrest08 · April 13, 2019

52 minutes ago, TXGREEK said:

Doesn’t Odyssey give a 3year full replacement?

3 or 4 year for automotive depending on the series of battery.

In my case 2 year for the Polaris

From Odyssey warranty page:

Extreme Series Batteries:
• 2 years for Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and other non-engine start cycling applications.
• 2 years for power sports applications.
• 3 years for commercial, industrial, marine and automotive applications in non-BCI sizes.
• 4 years for an engine starting application for PC1220, PC1350, PC2250 and all BCI sizes.
Performance Series Batteries:
• 2 years for Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and other non-engine start cycling applications. • 3 years for commercial, industrial, marine and automotive applications.

REGISTER your ODYSSEY battery at: www.odysseybattery.com/registration

There’s also a list of what’s not covered or possible warranty claims to be denied.

dieselfan1 · April 14, 2019

I wouldn't over analyze it. It's just a battery.

Get an Interstate and you'll be fine.

diyer2 · April 14, 2019

13 minutes ago, dieselfan1 said:

I wouldn't over analyze it. It's just a battery.

Get an Interstate and you'll be fine.

Agree

TXGREEK · April 16, 2019

I wouldn't over analyze it. It's just a battery.
Get an Interstate and you'll be fine.

I’ve used them in the past and have had some good and some Interstate failures only to get rid of my vehicles before actually having them long enough to be able to say they’ve lasted. I’d say the Interstate is comparable to the OEM battery, it’s a toss up between the two for longevity. It is really nice seeing your battery gauge not being affected when the kids power up everything they can in the car during a road trip. It’s actually really impressive and I’d rather have the Odyssey any day to an OEM style battery especially if you’re going to be running additional lighting etc.

Sent from above

L86 All Terrain · April 16, 2019

Canadian Energy's Canada Proof AGM cell battery PN GH772 . 5 year warranty, 3 years commercial warranty. Might be hard to find in the US. I leave it in my truck over our -30C winter and start the truck every couple months, no issues yet. I wanted to break necks when I went to install it though. A little ridiculous that you have to disassemble half your truck, then play Tetris to get the battery out and the new one in. Meanwhile there is a perfectly good battery tray in the D/S front corner. Why not make that the primary tray, and the P-I-T-A tray as the Auxiliary?

dieselfan1 · April 16, 2019

44 minutes ago, L86 All Terrain said:

Canadian Energy's Canada Proof AGM cell battery PN GH772 . 5 year warranty, 3 years commercial warranty. Might be hard to find in the US. I leave it in my truck over our -30C winter and start the truck every couple months, no issues yet. I wanted to break necks when I went to install it though. A little ridiculous that you have to disassemble half your truck, then play Tetris to get the battery out and the new one in. Meanwhile there is a perfectly good battery tray in the D/S front corner. Why not make that the primary tray, and the P-I-T-A tray as the Auxiliary?

Maybe they want you to bring it to the dealer for a new battery. Sad.

wforrest08 · April 17, 2019

The battery was originally supposed to be up front but then they figured out during “testing” that in frontal collisions the truck could/would lose battery power rendering OnStar useless. So it was then moved to the ever so convenient heat soaked new location...