School me on Sears batteries?

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Jrob80

Jrob80

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Threads
47
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909
Location
Lex, NE
It is new battery time for my truck and I have been reading all the posts I can about the Sears/Optima's and anything in between. With that said I am going to get a Sears Diehard just not sure which one. I have a lot of accesories in my truck as far as electronics and it seems like I add something new all the time. I don't have a dual battery setup (YET) and I currently do not have a winch but that should be changing soon as well.

I have been thinking about getting a Marine battery to run in my truck because it has the extra terminals, would it be okay as my one and only battery for a while? Or is this a bad idea? Any input would be great, thanks.
 
They are great batteries as long as you can prove by their computer system that YOU purchased the battery when you are taking it back on warranty, a defective battery purchased by someone else gets you nothing from Sears except the "core refund" which I pointed out I would be charged more for if I did not turn it back in. A severe lack of standing behind a product if you ask me.

Had I not been in quick need of a good battery, I would have paid more for whoever makes the die hard platinum and waited on shipping. I got the 31M, and it is a beast, and starts the 80 up with much more umph than the old one did for sure.
 
I bought an Interstate Megatron Plus (MTP-27F). Paid about $100 about nine months ago; it sat for three months (disconnected) and it still read 12.5 volts. Took less than 5 minutes with the charger set on 2 amps to bring it back to a full charge.
 
What about the autozone duralast golds? I did alot of research before replacing the two batterys in my F250 and they turned out to be the best bang for the buck. Plus a 84 month warranty 3 years free replacement.
 
x2 on the diehard platinum. I replaced my main battery with one when I went to a dual batteru setup. I will replace the original with a second one next month.
 
Have the marine version installed in a '95, the one that doesn't require mutilation of the battery box. No problems, and the warranty is longer than the auto version. Also upgraded some of the wiring and fusible links, no charging problems or electrical drains to speak of.

I have a Autozone Duralast Gold in my VW TDI and 2.5yrs later it died, dead cell. Took it and had to wait an hour for them to charge it as standard policy and walked out with a new battery.
 
As long as it has enough CCAs, I don't think there is a problem, and they are great for winching too if you do that.
 
I would take a look at costco kirkland signature batteries they are cheap and have a no hassle warranty.....900 ccA 61 bucks...
 
Just checked out Sears site, the auto battery has a 48 month in use free replacement whereas the marine has a 36 month in use free replacement. Auto has 930 cca and marine goes to 1130 cca. After looking I think I would also like to check out the kirkland/costco one for $61, sounds hard to beat, couldn't find it on website but on a completely different thread they have a really cool idea for trailer/tent, check out the link...
Costco - Lifetime® Camping Tent Trailer
 
x4 on the Platinum. I went down to Sears and told the guy I had a 10% off coupon (even though I didn't) and he took 10% right off.

A couple weeks later I bought another one from the Sears.com website and saved 10% for buying online and another 15% because it was on sale.

Great batteries. Wish I knew about these before I spent the extra $$ on an Odyssey for my Tundra.
 
Jrob80 said:
So it would be okay to use the marine battery as my main and only battery?
Click to expand...

As log as its rated for starting as well. IIRC all the Die Hard Platinum's are. You should be fine with one as your only battery for a long time. I've been running a group 31 (optima) for over 4 years now as my only battery. Fridge runs 24/7/365. Extra amp on the stereo. Long winching sessions, etc... No issues. Killed it plenty of times. Recharges back no problem.

If you kill it, keep in mind it takes a LONG time to recharge it compared to a regular battery.
 
I went with a different Sears Die Hard Platinum than most for my main batter. I still plan on going with the Marine for my secondary battery once I get that all wired up.

So my main battery is a P2 Gropup 65. But as you can see the post are a problem for the stock hold down bracket.

bluetribal-albums-misc-picture11918-die-hard-platinum-p-2-group-65-not-working-out-hold-down-bracket.jpg


But you can get a different style rubber coated bracket at Auto Zone for $8.00

bluetribal-albums-misc-picture13096-rubber-coated-battery-bracket-ebay-store-http-stores-ebay-com-dalewilchsrpmcatalog.jpg


And here is where I drilled two holes to replace the new/shorter 'J' hooks.

bluetribal-albums-misc-picture13095-new-j-hook-locations.jpg
 
Maybe I am missing a part, but my 31M slid right in with no issues. My battery compartment looks just like the last photo from bluetribal above. It is freaking snug though, and a bear to pick up and put in.

I did not like the hooks into the fiber board stuff so I cut a ratchet strap down, made some doubled up ends with holes, and bolted it with a slightly longer bolt and larger washer in the lowest bolt hole in that same photo above. Tightens it down good-n-tight, and the super short factory cables hold it in pretty good too.
 
jeffro109 said:
Maybe I am missing a part, but my 31M slid right in with no issues. My battery compartment looks just like the last photo from bluetribal above. It is freaking snug though, and a bear to pick up and put in.
Click to expand...

The Group 65 is much shorter than the factory recomended replacement batteries. Plus the posts are on the Top front rather than the top middle.
So this would be the issue with the stock hold down bracket.
bluetribal-albums-misc-picture11920-terminal-touching-hold-down-bracket-doh.jpg


jeffro109 said:
I did not like the hooks into the fiber board stuff so I cut a ratchet strap down, made some doubled up ends with holes, and bolted it with a slightly longer bolt and larger washer in the lowest bolt hole in that same photo above. Tightens it down good-n-tight, and the super short factory cables hold it in pretty good too.
Click to expand...

I agree with you about the flimsy fiber board. I can say that the hooks in the bottom of the tray like I did is much stiffer than attached to the flimsy sides.
 
The marine bat is a very different animal and should not be used long term. They make em different for a reason. Especially true in cold climates.
 
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