Preemptive Battery Replacement

I got just over six years out of my OEM, and it died with no warning.

 

Northstar AGM 27F

You're welcome

 

Many people will literally spend a couple thousand dollars on cosmetic upgrades for their truck, but will balk at a quality battery that costs $350.

 

Now I wish I was on that GB a while back.

 

I got mine at a local store (Batteries & Bulbs Plus) for slightly more than the GB price. Do some shopping, you might be surprised.

 

Got mine up here at less than the GB price

 

Are these Northstar batteries a gel cell like the Optima stuff? I've used two Optima red tops on my previous truck over 13 years. I replaced the first one just due to age at 7 years old, but still started up just fine and was in good health. I wouldn't mind trying one of these Northstars. I could sell my current one if these are that much better. Hate dealing with the corrosion and water even with constant monitoring.

 

I've read that the quality of Optima batteries has seriously declined in the last couple years (no personal experience). The Northstar is a gel and can be mounted in any configuration you want (like upside down). It's also a deep cycle, so it's made to be drained and recharged - unlike the stock battery or the red top. I frequently use my winch to pull over trees for work. I work solo, so I rig everything up, and pull the tree over with a remote for the winch while the truck is in 4 low with wheels chocked and engine off. I put some strain on this battery. We'll see how it holds up. That reminds me - I need to put the charger on it. I'm not trying to intentionally abuse it. I use it hard enough.

 

Previous Group Buys went through Samoorian Supply LLC. If your Northstar needs can't wait until the next one, you could email them directly.

 

Awesome, thanks for the reply! Yeah, I'm not hearing great things about Optima stuff now, but their older stuff was good. My LiPo packs for my RC racing cost me more than this every season. There's no reason to skimp on my truck that I use daily.

 

I think they're $330 right now from Northstar, but not sure if that's cheap or close to the GB pricing?

 

I think the lowest GB price was close to $250 IIRC. I paid $300 from a local store where I can take it if I ever need to use the warranty.

 

Can't hurt to get a price from Samoorian to compare.

 

I hear some of you talk about charging your battery and want to clarify some things. So I have a Northstar AGM battery and I drive my truck daily. I don't have any extra accessories. Just use radio/climate control/headlights/foglights mostly. Do I still need a charger to top off my battery?

 

No, the alternator takes care of all the running accessories and keeps a charge going for the battery also.

 

No. Even with the drain I frequently put on my battery, the alternator does a pretty good job of catching up. I just like to occasionally put it on the charger to make sure it's topped off.