New battery

[coolbrze]

I just purchased an older model used Yanmar FX24D that came w/ a Rural King HD battery P/N: CFT31X4 (925 CCA @ 0ｰ F & 1,050 CCA @ 32ｰ F) that seems to be dying. I need to replace the battery, but not sure if I should replace it w/ something similar or something else, what do y'all recommend? Thanks!

 

[frugalangler]

I've started converting to AGM - they seem to have a much better performance - My Jeep actually came OE with an AGM and it's now over 3 years and still cranks like the day I bought it. The downside is they are EXPENSIVE but if you really rely on something starting when needed I'm a firm believer, plus they are essentially zero maintenance sans making sure the terminals stay clean (which because of very little venting they do).

I've got a relationship with our local BatteriesPlus thru our local fishing club and got to know the owner of the franchise, he's been a great guy (as have all his employees) to work with, the employees are well trained, and when I've had warranty issues they have taken care right away. Yes, all manufacturers have defects occasionally, it's how the retailer takes care that makes the difference. The other advantage to AGM is they are much more vibration tolerant.

Now, if you're just playing w/ this as a hobby, you might be better suited to a Walmart battery, they actually are very good for a conventional lead acid wet cell and priced extremely competitive. What ever you choose, try to buy the largest CCA that you can physically fit in the space correctly (meaning firmly attached and restrained from movement). There is no such thing as too big a battery (within reason) meaning don't let someone tell you that you should match what is there, if you can fit more CCA go for it, it means easier starting when cold. Your charging system will most likely charge anything you can fit in the space if it's in good shape.

 

[fried1765]

I've started converting to AGM - they seem to have a much better performance - My Jeep actually came OE with an AGM and it's now over 3 years and still cranks like the day I bought it. The downside is they are EXPENSIVE but if you really rely on something starting when needed I'm a firm believer, plus they are essentially zero maintenance sans making sure the terminals stay clean (which because of very little venting they do).

I've got a relationship with our local BatteriesPlus thru our local fishing club and got to know the owner of the franchise, he's been a great guy (as have all his employees) to work with, the employees are well trained, and when I've had warranty issues they have taken care right away. Yes, all manufacturers have defects occasionally, it's how the retailer takes care that makes the difference. The other advantage to AGM is they are much more vibration tolerant.

Now, if you're just playing w/ this as a hobby, you might be better suited to a Walmart battery, they actually are very good for a conventional lead acid wet cell and priced extremely competitive. What ever you choose, try to buy the largest CCA that you can physically fit in the space correctly (meaning firmly attached and restrained from movement). There is no such thing as too big a battery (within reason) meaning don't let someone tell you that you should match what is there, if you can fit more CCA go for it, it means easier starting when cold. Your charging system will most likely charge anything you can fit in the space if it's in good shape.

In the past I always bought Interstate batteries.
Never again! They stiffed me for what should have been a warranty replacement, while I had my vehicle in Canada.
The AGM batteries certainly are excellent, for the reasons described above.
Bottom line though,....... Walmart batteries are definitely the best bank for the buck,

 

[coolreinfarm]

I'll never buy a interstate battery, bought one last year started to leak around the negative post, took it back to the guy that installed it he said interstate wouldn't warrant because it still had 85% charge. My first and last interstate battery. It's all about the marketing.

 

[normde2001]

Use biggest battery that will fit in the box, of whatever brand..

 

[mopardude318]

oh boy. I JUST last week bought 2 Interstate batteries for my Ram truck...ha, guess I'll wait and see how my luck turns out. Like others, go with an AGM.

 

[buickanddeere]

I just purchased an older model used Yanmar FX24D that came w/ a Rural King HD battery P/N: CFT31X4 (925 CCA @ 0ｰ F & 1,050 CCA @ 32ｰ F) that seems to be dying. I need to replace the battery, but not sure if I should replace it w/ something similar or something else, what do y'all recommend? Thanks!

Battery failure could be due to under charging, over charging or a phantom load causing discharge . Putting around tractors rarely have their batteries properly charged.
Use the largest battery that will fit into the battery box. Use a new large ground cable direct from the battery to one of the bolts holding the starter to the block.

 

[clemsonfor]

Interstates have gone down hill. I had one go out in 3 years on my sequoia. This is the wife's daily driver. We have had it 3 years I guess now. Battery was a year old when we got it or so. It was always kind of weak. I didn't fool with pro rate warrenty because I didn't want another one and I didn't buy it originally. I use to buy walmart then switched to advance e auto batteries and used online coupons to buy online and pick up in store. But they have recently raised their prices ...really high and even with these $30-40 coupons when you find them there still barely competitive. I went back with walmart batteries this go round. I always had success with them, I just swapped due to price. I had one or 2 walmart batteries go 7 years. Tip if you buy the cheap walmart batteries there is no prorate period, so once your out of the free replacement zone that's it...that's another reason I went to advance. But I noticed ,I think (would have to double check) on the 3 year free replacement battery there is a pro rate period also.

And I also would give the advice. Put the largest battery you can fit in the place.

 

[4get gto]

Use biggest battery that will fit in the box, of whatever brand..

That's what I tend to do. The one the OP has now seems to be high on cca 925/1050. That thing when good should turn over a Mack truck.

 

[stingray1]

I also buy the biggest that will fit. I've found the better deals at SAM's club with the 3 year free replacement .

 

[betty2017]

The biggest one is uaually the most expensive one. :laughing:

 

[coolbrze]

Thanks everyone. Now I'm a little worried, I pulled the battery & noticed that it's only 8 months old (according to the punched stickers on it). So why did it run down. I'm charging it now & going to put it back in, but part of me thinks I should just buy a new one & install it. If it runs down, there's an issue w/ the tractors electrics somewhere but if not, at least I've got a new battery in it!

 

[ultrarunner]

In the past I always bought Interstate batteries.
Never again! They stiffed me for what should have been a warranty replacement, while I had my vehicle in Canada.
The AGM batteries certainly are excellent, for the reasons described above.
Bottom line though,....... Walmart batteries are definitely the best bank for the buck,

I was 100% Interstate... my Dad carried them and put a lot out in the field... going back 40 years... we had a great local guy that worked his butt off... they split his territory and he said the **** with it... lost a lot of accounts.

My last two experiences have been less than satisfactory and since I bought at the jobber price there is NO Warranty!!!

Too bad because I had 71 core credits with them... oh well... few things remain unchanged.

The last few years I have bought from a independent... his prices are good and no complaints... he also supports the old car hobby...

 

[winston1]

Thanks everyone. Now I'm a little worried, I pulled the battery & noticed that it's only 8 months old (according to the punched stickers on it). So why did it run down. I'm charging it now & going to put it back in, but part of me thinks I should just buy a new one & install it. If it runs down, there's an issue w/ the tractors electrics somewhere but if not, at least I've got a new battery in it!

You need to check with a voltmeter to see if charging.

 

[coolbrze]

You need to check with a voltmeter to see if charging.

Copy that, I've got an ohm or volt meter (not sure which one) but am not good w/ electronics. How do I test & where to I put the contact points? What am I looking for when testing?

 

[winston1]

Just turn your meter to dc voltage, touch the red lead to the positive battery terminal, black lead to the negative battery terminal. Tractor not running you should read at least 12.6 volts. If not, possible bad battery unless not charging and run down.

Crank the tractor, check the same way, should be showing 13+ volts, depending on speed. If not you either have a bad dynamo, regulator, etc. Check first and if not charging we can pursue causes.

 

[WM75Guy]

I had to replace the battery in both of my New Hollands about the same time. NH wanted about $125, warranty is 20 months, and it is 100 miles roundtrip to the dealer. I went with the AC Delco 6 year warranty batteries from my local GMC dealer that does all my truck service for $150. The parts manager matched it right up. Never have an issue getting something exchanged under warranty.

 

[clemsonfor]

I had to replace the battery in both of my New Hollands about the same time. NH wanted about $125, warranty is 20 months, and it is 100 miles roundtrip to the dealer. I went with the AC Delco 6 year warranty batteries from my local GMC dealer that does all my truck service for $150. The parts manager matched it right up. Never have an issue getting something exchanged under warranty.

And you could of gone to walmart and got basically the same quality battery for $95. Three year free replacement and 7 year prorate.

Seriously almost all batterieries of similar warrenty are the same. Lead is the key, header a battery the better. There only like 3 battery manufactures that make batteries here. Johnson controls makes a ton of the batteries out there. Made in medicine mostly now.

 

[clemsonfor]

Batteries just go bad too. I had a battery, a panosonic go bad in a toyota. That's the original equipment brand for them. Just went out, it would crank sometimes and then wouldn't for some reason. Just got worse n worse. I bought a new one cause I didn't want to drive 75 Miles to the dealer to replace it.

 

[ultrarunner]

Back when Mom bought her one and only new car, Toyota, it was AC Delco... best car battery life I've come across... but it was the original Green Eye battery that seems to have gone away.