Community Forums

hugh37 · 02-11-2015, 06:48 PM

My '07 Allegro Bus on a Freightliner chassis came with two (2) starting
batteries made by Alliance. After eight (8) years they have died, giving me no advance warning. I feel they served me well...not a single problem
prior to this. My plan is to purchase from Freightliner replacement batteries by Alliance. I was quoted a price today, for the two (2), an
amount of $335.28, including taxes. Unless my mind is changed, I plan to
make the purchase tomorrow. Do any of you have any information to
suggest that today's Alliance starting batteries are not at least equal to
those installed in my '07 Bus? I'd appreciate your quick responses, yea
or nay. Thanks!

dennis45 · 02-11-2015, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugh37

My '07 Allegro Bus on a Freightliner chassis came with two (2) starting
batteries made by Alliance. After eight (8) years they have died, giving me no advance warning. I feel they served me well...not a single problem
prior to this. My plan is to purchase from Freightliner replacement batteries by Alliance. I was quoted a price today, for the two (2), an
amount of $335.28, including taxes. Unless my mind is changed, I plan to
make the purchase tomorrow. Do any of you have any information to
suggest that today's Alliance starting batteries are not at least equal to
those installed in my '07 Bus? I'd appreciate your quick responses, yea
or nay. Thanks!

There are numerous sources for batteries. Assuming they are the same CCA as the OEM batteries, I don't think the price is out of line.
However, there are many other suppliers of batteries. If you know what Group Number your batteries are, you can search for the highest rating in that group and make your decision from there. (Cold Cranking Amps) is an industry standard rating for Starting Batteries.

Mr_D · 02-11-2015, 07:08 PM

A few years ago I had to replace our Spartan chassis starting batteries after almost 10 years. Ended up getting them from Pacific Diesel and they were 1000 CCA rather than 950. Cost was about $165 + tax for each, so your price is about right.

FleetMan · 02-11-2015, 09:24 PM

I shopped around when I replaced mine. O'Reilly Auto Parts came through with the best price for 1000 CCA batteries at the time. Don't overlook Batteries +. Their GP 31 truck batteries used to be made by Deka, not sure who is supplying them these days.

dnystrom · 02-11-2015, 09:40 PM

Alliance is the battery that all the trucks uses. I replaced my old one's with the same. A good battery that is reliable. My opinion and My opinion only...........

guardrail53 · 02-12-2015, 01:37 AM

I had a Freightliner Semi, and I used the Alliance brand battery's and had very good service out of them! Call around to all the truck dealers in the area, and the part's houses too and price shop. A lot of times one will have a sale going on, and you can save a lot! Freightliner also has them on sale from time to time! Battery's are like a lot of things, only 3 or 4 manufactures in the country that makes all of the battery's you see for sale!
Jmho! Rail!

Gary RVRoamer · 02-12-2015, 07:38 AM

Alliance is simply Freightliner's house brand name - they buy their batteries from one of the major battery manufacturers, e.g. East Penn or Johnson Controls. The battery labeled Alliance that you buy today may come from a different factory than the one of 2007, but it should be every bit as good a battery. Just make sure you get the same CCA rating (battery capacity), or very nearly the same. Most diesel coaches use a pair of 950 or 1000 CCA batteries for starting.

The suggestions for alternate brands made by others are all good ones. O'Reilly's has some excellent prices on 950-1000 CCA batteries, so does Sam's Club and Costco. They all sell private labels brands from major battery manufacturers.

guardrail53 · 02-12-2015, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Alliance is simply Freightliner's house brand name - they buy their batteries from one of the major battery manufacturers, e.g. East Penn or Johnson Controls. The battery labeled Alliance that you buy today may come from a different factory than the one of 2007, but it should be every bit as good a battery. Just make sure you get the same CCA rating (battery capacity), or very nearly the same. Most diesel coaches use a pair of 950 or 1000 CCA batteries for starting.

The suggestions for alternate brands made by others are all good ones. O'Reilly's has some excellent prices on 950-1000 CCA batteries, so does Sam's Club and Costco. They all sell private labels brands from major battery manufacturers.

X-2
Excide is another manufacture in Bristol,Tenn., and another in Covington, Ga. I was also told that if you are in hot climates all the time, that the lower cca would be better, but I always ran the 1000cca in my semi, 4 of them! In the trucking, if I got 3 to 4 years out of them, I was very happy! But that equates to around 350,000 miles, and a bunch of starts and I also used them as my house battery's too! Buy them from someone that is nationwide, so they can adjust them if they do not last! All of the places above are good! Rail!

Gary RVRoamer · 02-13-2015, 06:57 AM

Quote:

I was also told that if you are in hot climates all the time, that the lower cca would be better,

It's not "better", it's just more acceptable and a lower cranking amp rating may save you some money when purchasing.

CCA is Cold Crank Amps and refers to the ability to deliver power at temperatures below 0 F. Obviously you don't need that in warmer climates. If the weather doesn't go below freezing, you can use MCA (Marine Cranking Amps), which is rated at 32 F. The MCA rating is often 20-25% higher than the CCA, so you can get 1000 amps in a smaller, less expensive package.

doc · 02-13-2015, 10:58 AM

You might check for sales. Last month I replaced my two chassis batteries. Went over the Dry Pond Freightliner just north of Atlanta on I-85. Was going to replace original size (1000 cranking amps at something over $150) Parts guy said he had a sale on the 950 CA for $85. Same physical size and warranty. I asked would it crank the coach as well. He said it would. Saved a pile of money and when installed these batteries spun that 425 Cummins like it was a new engine.

Mac99 · 02-13-2015, 03:20 PM

I would go with AGM batteries, zero maintenance and
no corrosion issues in the compartment. Yeah, I know,
they cost more, you will be in the $ 220- $245 range
for each. Well worth the money, IMHO

Gary RVRoamer · 02-14-2015, 08:00 AM

I personally don't think AGM is a worthwhile expense for a cranking battery, but I do use them for house batteries.

mccrob · 02-14-2015, 08:36 AM

Rush Peterbilt has your batteries on sale this month for $75. They have locations all over the west and south

mchero · 02-14-2015, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc

You might check for sales. Last month I replaced my two chassis batteries. Went over the Dry Pond Freightliner just north of Atlanta on I-85. Was going to replace original size (1000 cranking amps at something over $150) Parts guy said he had a sale on the 950 CA for $85. Same physical size and warranty. I asked would it crank the coach as well. He said it would. Saved a pile of money and when installed these batteries spun that 425 Cummins like it was a new engine.

I'm with DOC,
I walked into my local Cummins dealer looking for a part. Now this is the LAST place I'd expect to find a good deal but right their out front where LARGE CAT starting batteries on sale for about $85/battery! Immediatly grabbed two!

Pays to shop around!