[jjklongisland]

On my 89 Ram, the other night I was driving her and everytime I hit my plow button up my lights would dim and the radio would shut off. I have a dual battery set up, one is new and the other is the one that came with the truck (dont know when it was replaced I had truck for 2.5 years now). I was going to start by changing the old battery. Anyone have any suggestions and if I was going to replace my alternator which one should I go with?

 

[SnoFarmer]

Replace both batteries with the same kind and size first.
get two 1000amp with at least 700cca. and inspect your wiring..

 

[Dodge350]

Instead of buying two batteries. Run a single semi battery you will never have another problem. That is what I'm running and had never had a problem and they fit right in with no modification on my 1983' Dodge Ram W-350 :yow!:

 

[xtreem3d]

who's battery is it? what are the specs? why is it better?
tia
steve

 

[jjklongisland]

The alternator has no problem with the semi battery? Money is kind of tight and I allready put about $700 into my truck this season and it hasnt snowed (or plowable snow) yet so I am probably just going to replace the older battery for now...

 

[Dodge350]

I had a car battery in the truck and it went bad. I have a friend that owns a semi truck repair shop and these batteries are 1000 CCA which I could not find at the local parts store the highest they listed was 750 CCA. So I put the battery in and so far the truck has never had a problem with the plow or anything else for that matter. The alternator has no problem dealing with this batt. and the best part the semi battery was cheaper than a standard car battery.

 

[SnoFarmer]

The alternator has no problem with the semi battery? Money is kind of tight and I allready put about $700 into my truck this season and it hasnt snowed (or plowable snow) yet so I am probably just going to replace the older battery for now...

Always replace your batteries in pairs even if one of them is good.

Get two batteries.
same make.
same kind
Preferably with 1000to 700cca minimum.

 

[ahoron]

The alternator has no problem with the semi battery? Money is kind of tight and I allready put about $700 into my truck this season and it hasnt snowed (or plowable snow) yet so I am probably just going to replace the older battery for now...

have the batteries load tested after you charge them.As far as replacing both batteries if one is good I would not do that. I installed a second battery last year. my other battery is about 2 years older than that one and I've had no problem.one ac delco and one interstate.I even spoke to a distributor for interstate and he said not to replace both if they are not needed and I would consider him to be an expert on batteries. Now other on here will disagree with him but to each their own.

 

[jjklongisland]

Yeah, I plan on working on her Sunday... I will test the batteries first and then go from there.

 

[SnoFarmer]

.I even spoke to a distributor for interstate and he said not to replace both if they are not needed and I would consider him to be an expert on batteries. Now other on here will disagree with him but to each their own.

I'm sure this dealer can see in side the battery and tell you how much calcification there is...

Any reputable dealer that is not just a guy working their will tell you to have similar batteries, age and size to plow with.

 

[snow7899]

I just hade to replace my batteries on thursday. Always replace your batteries in a pair. The life of the batteries will be shortened if you don't. They work together so the charge rates and the discharge rates will be very different between an old and a new battery, and they will fight each other. Do it once and do it right.

 

[ROWDY]

Would a bigger alternator and one big battery be an option?