FG Batteries -- one or two

[Tom_D]

I need to replace the truck batteries. They are large batteries that are a little hard to find. I am thinking of replacing the two stock lead acid batteries with only one red top optima. The truck starts fine with one (800 CCA, 100 reserve) and I could save 40 pounds.

I don't really use the truck in really cold weather (rarely below 30 degrees).

... any thoughts or experiences?

Thanks
Tom

 

[whatcharterboat]

Hi Tom,

The standard batteries on the FG are really good quality anyway but I agree they are probably an overkill and if it's time to replace them well...... If you are going to run a house battery bank as in a dual battery system for a fridge etc. then one start battery would be fine. Set it up so you can jump between both if you need to in an emergency. But don't just think "It starts OK with one, therefore...." >>> Having the extra capacity is always handy if you have to bleed the injection system out in the bush or on the side of the road.

BTW Also run any high load accessories (winch, spotlights etc.) off the house battery as well.

The Fuso twin battery setup is a bit of a legacy from when the FG's were 24volt and they just kept the same capacity (actually exactly the same batteries) only switched them from being 24v in series to 12v in parallel.

See if you can utilize the factory cradle if it meets your power demands.

Regards, John.

 

[Tom_D]

solution

I ended up installing two red tops. My use of the truck in remote areas of northern Canada convinced me that "better safe than sorry" was the best approach. Also potential winch use was a consideration.

Fabricating and installing the smaller optimas was easy using the existing battery tray and the brackets that come with the optima batteries. The new installation holds the batteries in place nicely with minimal drilling and makes for a clean look. Also the hold downs can be removed if I refit with OEM batteries ever again.

I will be interested to see how the gel cell hold up to the change cycle. The camper lives on a charger for several months a year.

Cheers
Tom

 

[kerry]

I was wondering the same thing a few months ago. I ended up finding OE replacements at Napa. Not cheap, but I went with 2. It does seem like overkill.