Looking for a good battery for my 2018 Ram 1500 Limited

[Corneileous]

Right now I've currently got an Oreileys SuperStart Extreme Regular battery that was installed end of October 2021 that I think is going bad. I say that because two different times now, all within little over two weeks, Ive had to use my portable jump starter to start the truck.

The first time was Thursday the 10th. We got quite a bit of snow that day and have had some pretty cold temps. I live down here in southern Oklahoma. Anywho, we got a lot of snow that day and even though my area has gotten a little better over the years at trying to keep the roads clean when we do get some snow, the roads were still very slushy and didn't get plowed until later on in the day and after running some errands that day, I think I got quite a bit of snow/slush packed up in my undercarriage and when I stopped at my wife's office to help her find her car keys, I went to put the truck in park after pulling in the driveway and it wouldn't go into park. All the sudden it said to service the transmission in the EVIC so who knows what happened. Anyway, since It wouldn't let me put the truck in park, I was able to shut the engine off but it wouldn't let me shut the ignition off so I just set the parking brake and went inside to help her find her keys. Well, after we couldn't find them after looking for only about 20 minutes, we decided to run home and get my snow shovel thinking she had dropped them in the parking lot so when I got back in the truck to follow her home- I had to bring her my set of keys- the truck wouldn't start. I had to use my jumpstarter and when it cranked, it cranked slowly like the battery wasn't charged up but it did start. Drove only about 2 miles to get home and once I got home, I killed it and it started right back up like nothing was wrong. Didn't have another issue until today.

Last Thursday I had the day off due to weather. I was doing some things to my truck and I figured while I was at it, Id put the charger on my battery so I disconnected the cables, cleaned the clamps and battery posts and charged the battery. It took my little 8 amp Schumacher charger about two and a half hours to fully charge it. Thought that was kinda odd but then just came to the conclusion that maybe it was just the charger.

Moving on- I was in my truck this afternoon doing some things with Alfa OBD so after about a half hour of just having the ignition on- nothing else, I went to start the truck and, it wouldn't start. Had to bust out the jumper but before I did that, I grabbed my volt meter and the battery voltage was only 9 volts? It started right up but still cranked slow like the last time so I then went down to my local Oreileys to have them test the battery and my charging system which, checked out good. They said the battery was good and that my alternator was charging at 14.7 volts.


Also for about, I dont know, maybe the last couple months that when I drive the truck, the needle on my battery gauge sits right at halfway between half and 3/4's so what does that mean? Do I just need to bite the bullet and get a new battery? What do you recommend? I know my battery is currently 3 years, 2 months and 21 days old so it's just out of the 3 year warranty. I'm kinda thinking maybe I should look into an AGM battery. I looked up some info on them and it said they are good for if you frequently make short trips, experience long periods of inactivity, have a vehicle with a high power demand or live in extreme temperatures as they hold their charge better, can withstand deep discharges, and are generally more durable than standard batteries- which kinda sounds like me....lol.

I'm thinking about just going down to Sams and getting this Duracell AGM since we've had good luck with the plain Duracell we put in my wife's Civic about 5 years before we traded it for her new 2025 Pilot. Should I reconsider the Walmart batteries like this EverStart AGM or go with the Duracell? The Walmart battery would be a little cheaper but if the Duracell is better, thats what Id rather have.

 

[daves87rs]

Go with the Sams one…

 

[Corneileous]

Go with the Sams one…

So why the Duracell? Not really hinting that Id rather have that over the Walmart, I'm just saying that Ive heard really good reviews towards it even though I thought at one time, Walmarts batteries were junk.

 

[billt460]

Did the truck come from the factory with a, flooded lead / acid battery, or a AGM? If it came with a conventional flooded lead / acid battery, I wouldn't change it to a AGM. From what I understand the charging system of the vehicle must be set up for AGM.

Most all battery maintainers, including the 3 that I use, (NOCO), all have a separate setting for AGM and flooded lead / acid. There is a reason for that.

 

[Pterostylis]

From what I understand the charging system of the vehicle must be set up for AGM.

I don’t know about other AGMs but Optima doesn’t mention needing a special alternator or a charger, they just state the required voltages, for alternators it is

Yellow Top

• Alternator:
  • 13.65 to 15.0 volts, no amperage limit.

Red Top

• Alternator:
  • 13.3 to 15.0 volts, no amperage limit.

But they do say that on multi-setting chargers that the correct setting should be selected.

 

[Nukeman7]

So why the Duracell? Not really hinting that Id rather have that over the Walmart, I'm just saying that Ive heard really good reviews towards it even though I thought at one time, Walmarts batteries were junk.

WalMart's batteries have not been junk since they got away from Exide sourced batteries over 20 years ago. I'd pick the EverStart Platinum AGM battery at WalMart over the Duracell AGM at Sam's Club. The EverStart has 850 CCA and a 4 year full replacement warranty vs. 800 CCA and 3 year warranty on the Duracell. If the serial number under the bar code on top of the EverStart battery starts with "EP", it is made by East Penn which also makes the Duracell batteries.

However, I agree with billt460's opinion that you should not install an AGM battery in your RAM unless it originally came with an AGM. Some BITOG members have posted about short lifespans with AGMs installed in vehicles which have charging systems designed for flooded lead acid batteries.

 

[ARB1977]

I’ve had good luck with diehard platinums in both of my beloved Tacomas. 7 years on my 2002 and 4 years on a 15 Tacoma.

 

[billt460]

I don’t know about other AGMs but Optima doesn’t mention needing a special alternator or a charger, they just state the required voltages, for alternators it is

......... But they do say that on multi-setting chargers that the correct setting should be selected.

You can most likely "get away with" using a AGM battery. I don't think that it would hurt anything. But I doubt you will get any benefit from doing so.... Including any extra longevity.

Not to mention you'll be paying more for it. If they say it should be externally charged with the charger on the AGM setting, again there is a reason for that. It shouldn't be any different in your vehicle.

 

[billt460]

WalMart's batteries have not been junk since they got away from Exide sourced batteries over 20 years ago. I'd pick the EverStart Platinum AGM battery at WalMart over the Duracell AGM at Sam's Club. The EverStart has 850 CCA and a 4 year full replacement warranty vs. 800 CCA and 3 year warranty on the Duracell. If the serial number under the bar code on top of the EverStart battery starts with "EP", it is made by East Penn which also makes the Duracell batteries.

However, I agree with bilt460's opinion that you should not install an AGM battery in your RAM unless it originally came with an AGM. Some BITOG members have posted about short lifespans with AGMs installed in vehicles which have charging systems designed for flooded lead acid batteries.

I concur with both. I have Walmart batteries in both my older truck, as well as my 2018 Toyota Camry. Both have lived beyond the other makes I've had in them.

One thing that should be done with any "new" battery, is to be sure to charge it to FULL capacity BEFORE you install it into the vehicle. Many of these batteries sit on the shelf for weeks before they're sold.

By bringing them up to 100% charge before installing it, it not only lessens the load on the vehicle's charging system, it also assures long life. Many newer vehicles don't charge the battery to 100%. Some to only 75% to 85%.

This is because of government CAFE mileage mandates. Alternators become more difficult to turn as they put out juice. By not fully charging the battery, they can save minuscule amounts of fuel mileage over time.

This is one of the main reasons I keep all of my vehicles on battery maintainers when they're sitting. They maintain the battery at 100% charge, and keep it there.

 

[bullwinkle]

I concur with both. I have Walmart batteries in both my older truck, as well as my 2018 Toyota Camry. Both have lived beyond the other makes I've had in them.

One thing that should be done with any "new" battery, is to be sure to charge it to FULL capacity BEFORE you install it into the vehicle. Many of these batteries sit on the shelf for weeks before they're sold.

By bringing them up to 100% charge before installing it, it not only lessens the load on the vehicle's charging system, it also assures long life. Many newer vehicles don't charge the battery to 100%. Some to only 75% to 85%.

This is because of government CAFE mileage mandates. Alternators become more difficult to turn as they put out juice. By not fully charging the battery, they can save minuscule amounts of fuel mileage over time.

This is one of the main reasons I keep all of my vehicles on battery maintainers when they're sitting. They maintain the battery at 100% charge, and keep it there.

This is always a good idea-even a little $30 Noco Genius 1 is enough to keep a battery fully charged at all times, they only draw ~15 watts or so. That's what's on my Grand Marquis, it has just enough draw to pull down a battery in roughly 2 weeks.

 

[Corneileous]

Did the truck come from the factory with a, flooded lead / acid battery, or a AGM? If it came with a conventional flooded lead / acid battery, I wouldn't change it to a AGM. From what I understand the charging system of the vehicle must be set up for AGM.

Most all battery maintainers, including the 3 that I use, (NOCO), all have a separate setting for AGM and flooded lead / acid. There is a reason for that.

No, it did not come with an AGM battery. My wife’s 2025 pilot did but I’m kind of thinking the only reason why it did was because it has that idle start stop crap on it that shuts the motor off every time you stop, but I don’t think that car has any more sophisticated of computers than my 2018 ram 1500 limited does.

 

[Corneileous]

WalMart's batteries have not been junk since they got away from Exide sourced batteries over 20 years ago. I'd pick the EverStart Platinum AGM battery at WalMart over the Duracell AGM at Sam's Club. The EverStart has 850 CCA and a 4 year full replacement warranty vs. 800 CCA and 3 year warranty on the Duracell. If the serial number under the bar code on top of the EverStart battery starts with "EP", it is made by East Penn which also makes the Duracell batteries.

However, I agree with billt460's opinion that you should not install an AGM battery in your RAM unless it originally came with an AGM. Some BITOG members have posted about short lifespans with AGMs installed in vehicles which have charging systems designed for flooded lead acid batteries.

And see, this is where I’m getting confused because there’s people that say they do this without issue and then there’s people saying that unless it came with an AGM battery, that I shouldn’t put one in there.

 

[Corneileous]

You can most likely "get away with" using a AGM battery. I don't think that it would hurt anything. But I doubt you will get any benefit from doing so.... Including any extra longevity.

Not to mention you'll be paying more for it. If they say it should be externally charged with the charger on the AGM setting, again there is a reason for that. It shouldn't be any different in your vehicle.

Well, from what I read- now, it may be wrong because I don’t know the source, but from what I read, vehicles that have a high power draw, are driven short distances and sit a lot would benefit from an AGM battery and well, my truck does fit that description aside from coming with an AGM battery but my truck does sit quite a bit, I do drive it a lot of short distances and well, with me having a 600 W subwoofer system under my rear seat, I think that would classify as a high power draw.

 

[billt460]

Well, from what I read- now, it may be wrong because I don’t know the source, but from what I read, vehicles that have a high power draw, are driven short distances and sit a lot would benefit from an AGM battery and well, my truck does fit that description aside from coming with an AGM battery but my truck does sit quite a bit, I do drive it a lot of short distances and well, with me having a 600 W subwoofer system under my rear seat, I think that would classify as a high power draw.

I think under the outlined conditions, your vehicle would be better served by a battery maintainer. Something simple. I have 3 of these.

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/NOCO-...TB5hDagxFCB7e37uDTsaAlzKEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Corneileous]

I think under the outlined conditions, your vehicle would be better served by a battery maintainer. Something simple. I have 3 of these.

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/NOCO-...TB5hDagxFCB7e37uDTsaAlzKEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yeah, I think that’s what I’m starting to think too because the other thing I forgot to mention was the fact that my truck has a lifetime warranty on it so even though a battery is not a warranty item, I don’t know whether or not using an AGM battery on this truck being that it didn’t come with one originally would cause my warranty department to deny me a claim if something happened that they wanted to blame on the battery so, also due to the fact that I just can’t really find any definitive information that says it’s OK to do this just despite people who say they’ve done this all the time and never had a problem, I think I’m just gonna buy a new battery that’s just like what I have now and maybe once a month, start spending a Sunday afternoon with my charger hooked up to it.

This is what I have.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/...dAttr_14488=/attributes/prodAttr_14488/212567

 

[Corneileous]

So what’s a good reliable battery tester? I was told to get some cheap, $20 one at harbor freight.

But with all that’s talked about, is it even worth it to get a tester and re-test this battery?

 

[f355spider]

Did the truck come from the factory with a, flooded lead / acid battery, or a AGM? If it came with a conventional flooded lead / acid battery, I wouldn't change it to a AGM. From what I understand the charging system of the vehicle must be set up for AGM.

Most all battery maintainers, including the 3 that I use, (NOCO), all have a separate setting for AGM and flooded lead / acid. There is a reason for that.

This is not a concern. I have run multiple older cars with AGM batteries without issue...from 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s...none came standard with AGM, ran absolutely fine with many years of service. Bonus, never had to add water either. All the battery makers say it is fine, like Interstate. Even Consumer Reports recommends AGMs.

My 2001 BMW 540 has a six year old AGM in it...still going strong and testing exceeds its 900 CCA rating.

 

[f355spider]

So what’s a good reliable battery tester? I was told to get some cheap, $20 one at harbor freight.

But with all that’s talked about, is it even worth it to get a tester and re-test this battery?

Ancel BA101
https://www.amazon.com/ANCEL-BA101-...1737431429&sprefix=ancel+ba101,aps,173&sr=8-1

Watch for a sale...they go on sale like every other week. I bought one in December for $17. And another a week ago for like $24. Prices jump around but don't pay $40. (there is a 40% discount coupon right now, if you apply it, then it is priced at $24)

 

[Corneileous]

This is not a concern. I have run multiple older cars with AGM batteries without issue...from 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s...none came standard with AGM, ran absolutely fine with many years of service. Bonus, never had to add water either. All the battery makers say it is fine, like Interstate. Even Consumer Reports recommends AGMs.

My 2001 BMW 540 has a six year old AGM in it...still going strong and testing exceeds its 900 CCA rating.

So what brand of battery you using? I opened a thread over on the Ram Forums and even though only one or two people said things like my alternator being set for a regular battery but there were some using AGM’s on their Rams without issue. None, that I saw that were 2018 models like mine, though.

 

[f355spider]

So what brand of battery you using? I opened a thread over on the Ram Forums and even though only one or two people said things like my alternator being set for a regular battery but there were some using AGM’s on their Rams without issue. None, that I saw that were 2018 models like mine, though.

Mostly German made Vartas, under the Interstate, AC Delco brand or BMW oem. But with both AC Delco, Interstate and Walmart (west coast stores) supplied by Clarios, it is a toss up where they are made now. Most AC Delcos are now made in Korea, and the Interstate and (west coast) WalMart AGMs can be made in China, Mexico, Korea...and more rarely Germany or USA. I purchase a Korean made Walmart AGM a little over a year ago, so far so good. At least with WalMart AGMs they have the longest warranty, four year free replacement and there are WalMarts everywhere, so relatively easy to find. On the east coast, WalMart AGMs are supplied by East Penn. So it may end up being the same battery you get from Sams Club. So I would recommend the WalMart AGM.

The Duracell AGMs are made by East Penn a reputable brand. Three year free replacement warranty. Those should be fine as well. East Penn is USA made if that matters to you. I had a bad experience a few years ago with East Penn flooded batteries...two in a row failed prematurely. But it could have just been a fluke, batteries are like that. I have not heard anything negative about their AGM batteries.