Installed DieHard AGM Battery
#1
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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Installed DieHard AGM Battery
Installed a Sears DieHard AGM battery today! Fits fine and has the required vent holes for the vent hose that is on the OEM battery! Yep AGM's can vent if overcharged and as with normal batteries it generates hydrogen. Prepared a PDF and quote a marine source warning that even AGM's must be vented!
As most shade tree mechanics there are often some tricks on the install. This has several! Had to check my 2014 Service Manual several times and as usual you sometimes get a clue but not an answer! To remove the large power block from the positive terminal, the Manual states: "Remove Clips!" No mention of where they are and looking around the confined area was no help nor was it obvious. Finally tried an approach with a screwdriver that worked! The PDF has many pics and one shows where to put the screwdriver!
This G48 size is Sears model number 50748. The OEM Delco conventional battery is model number 48PS. They both have recessed terminals needed to properly locate the power block. The CCA (Cold Cracking Amps) @ 0F for the Diehard AGM is 760 amps. The OEM Delco is 565.
Pricing was interesting. Received an email with a special discount price of $133 plus tax. Called the local store and it was $176 plus tax. The store could not match the price and told me to buy on the Net and pick it up there -which I did. Picked it up at the store in the afternoon!
The PDF with many pics of the install is: http://netwelding.com/Battery_Issues.pdf
DieHard G48 AGM Has 760 Amps CCA (Cold Cracking Amps) @ 0F. Note pic From Ad Shows 700. The Delco OEM Battery is 565,
As most shade tree mechanics there are often some tricks on the install. This has several! Had to check my 2014 Service Manual several times and as usual you sometimes get a clue but not an answer! To remove the large power block from the positive terminal, the Manual states: "Remove Clips!" No mention of where they are and looking around the confined area was no help nor was it obvious. Finally tried an approach with a screwdriver that worked! The PDF has many pics and one shows where to put the screwdriver!
This G48 size is Sears model number 50748. The OEM Delco conventional battery is model number 48PS. They both have recessed terminals needed to properly locate the power block. The CCA (Cold Cracking Amps) @ 0F for the Diehard AGM is 760 amps. The OEM Delco is 565.
Pricing was interesting. Received an email with a special discount price of $133 plus tax. Called the local store and it was $176 plus tax. The store could not match the price and told me to buy on the Net and pick it up there -which I did. Picked it up at the store in the afternoon!
The PDF with many pics of the install is: http://netwelding.com/Battery_Issues.pdf
DieHard G48 AGM Has 760 Amps CCA (Cold Cracking Amps) @ 0F. Note pic From Ad Shows 700. The Delco OEM Battery is 565,
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#2
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Great post! Many thanks.
Last edited by rmorin1249; 08-17-2016 at 09:19 AM.
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#3
Instructor
Excellent information... thanks for posting.
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#4
RE Sears Diehard AGM
OP,
I was price comparison shopping a couple years ago, and decided on the Sears Diehard AGM too. I was also pleased to see that I could buy it at a further discount of about $35.00 by paying for it online, then going to pick it up @ the Sears Auto Center near my home with the confirmation number. As I recall, the price was very good versus the equivalent dealer brand and the Interstate brand.
I was price comparison shopping a couple years ago, and decided on the Sears Diehard AGM too. I was also pleased to see that I could buy it at a further discount of about $35.00 by paying for it online, then going to pick it up @ the Sears Auto Center near my home with the confirmation number. As I recall, the price was very good versus the equivalent dealer brand and the Interstate brand.
#5
Le Mans Master
This very interesting. I just checked here in CA. My battery has been a dog and now is saying to replace. Looks like its now $106 and 115 out the door. Thank you
#6
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
The price on this DieHard is much lower than comparable batteries at AutoZone and Advance Auto. Just checked and their AGM that fits the C7 is close to $200.
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#8
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I was looking at one from AutoZone but that was $176 for about the same CCA as the Diehard. AutoZone has an Odyessy but it has only 723 CCA, weights more at 48 pounds and cost $249. Less CCA for more weight and money! After looking at the Diehard and OEM today the pic looks like the Odyessy should fit as it has the required recessed terminals. The hold down will fit its flat top but not sure if the power fuse block will snap in place to secure properly as it does on the OEM and the Diehard.
Last edited by JerryU; 08-17-2016 at 04:14 AM.
#10
Nice homework! Be sure to use AGM charger if needed. They behave differently than a standard charger.
#11
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Bought the CTEK 3300 when I first got my C7 to see if it just wasn't fully charging the battery and causing the a low voltage. It was no help and still read low when the surface charge was depleted. Probably a weak cell. But it has started the car fine for almost 3 years. I just didn't want to take a chance before this winter and was waiting for a sale on an AGM battery.
Had an Optima in my C6 and have a Yellow Top Optima in my Street Rod (which does stay on a charger.) However as I noted, the Optima top post configuration will not hold the large power block that connects to the positive terminal.
I had not used the CTEK charger on the C7 since that one time in 2013. It is a DD and although I don't use it every day, when I do it is typically a ~40/50 mile drive so it gets fully charged.
Last edited by JerryU; 08-17-2016 at 08:05 AM.
#12
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St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
OP, thanks for the thread.
I picked up the same Die Hard battery about two years ago for my C5. That solved any battery issues I had with the C5. When I replace the battery on the C7 I too will go with a AGM, Die Hard.
I picked up the same Die Hard battery about two years ago for my C5. That solved any battery issues I had with the C5. When I replace the battery on the C7 I too will go with a AGM, Die Hard.
#13
Melting Slicks
Battery Replacement
Jerry,
Great write-up.
That's the most complete description I've seen and certainly one I've saved.
Thanks,
Rich
Great write-up.
That's the most complete description I've seen and certainly one I've saved.
Thanks,
Rich
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#14
Le Mans Master
Jerry- I agree with you, it is alittle more involved then I anticipated as well. With my car down as I do my SC install I figured I might as well upgrade. Here is an interesting fact. While in the car I tried to charge it and the charger came back with a "replace battery" message. Last night after I pulled it out I put it on the bench to charge and it looks like it is fine. Damn car. LOL
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#15
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Just an update on the DieHard performance. Drove the Vette yesterday (~50 miles round trip) to go to the store. Checked this morning (after the surface charge was depleted) and the battery, for the first time in ~3 years, read 12.85 volts!
The Delco, which I have not returned yet (they did not charge me a exchange fee but said I would return it and will when driving the wife's SUV into town) was still reading 12.47 volts sitting on the garage floor!
I noticed the dash voltmeter when driving finally was just below 13.5 volts, lower than it has ever read, it was usually ~14 volts. Assume the altenator control system was trying to get the weak cell(s) to fully charge, an unachievable task!
Total time to change the battery was just under an hour (including time to take pics for the PDF.) Expected I would have to index the windows as I did when replacing the battery in my C6 . Did not, they are fine. About the only thing it did not "remember" was the car was left in Sport, as always, so had to change from Touring where it started. Also had to reset the radio to play my SD card in shuffle mode when the car starts.
The Delco, which I have not returned yet (they did not charge me a exchange fee but said I would return it and will when driving the wife's SUV into town) was still reading 12.47 volts sitting on the garage floor!
I noticed the dash voltmeter when driving finally was just below 13.5 volts, lower than it has ever read, it was usually ~14 volts. Assume the altenator control system was trying to get the weak cell(s) to fully charge, an unachievable task!
Total time to change the battery was just under an hour (including time to take pics for the PDF.) Expected I would have to index the windows as I did when replacing the battery in my C6 . Did not, they are fine. About the only thing it did not "remember" was the car was left in Sport, as always, so had to change from Touring where it started. Also had to reset the radio to play my SD card in shuffle mode when the car starts.
Last edited by JerryU; 08-18-2016 at 08:16 AM.
#16
Interesting thread...Jerry, what's the significance of your findings? I'm not quite seeing what you're findings are. Was the Delco not taking/holding a charge?
Just an update on the DieHard performance. Drove the Vette yesterday (~50 miles round trip) to go to the store. Checked this morning (after the surface charge was depleted) and the battery, for the first time in ~3 years, read 12.85 volts!
The Delco, which I have not returned yet (they did not charge me a exchange fee but said I would return it and will when driving the wife's SUV into town) was still reading 12.47 volts sitting on the garage floor!
I noticed the dash voltmeter when driving finally was just below 13.5 volts, lower than it has ever read, it was usually 14 volts. Assuming trying to get the weak cell(s) to fully charge.
Total time to change the battery was just under an hour (including time to take pics for the PDF) and expected I would have to index the windows as I did when replacing the battery in my C6 . Did not, they are fine. About the only thing it did not "remember" was left in Sport, as always, so had to change from Touring. Also had to reset the radio to play my SD card in shuffle mode when the car starts.
The Delco, which I have not returned yet (they did not charge me a exchange fee but said I would return it and will when driving the wife's SUV into town) was still reading 12.47 volts sitting on the garage floor!
I noticed the dash voltmeter when driving finally was just below 13.5 volts, lower than it has ever read, it was usually 14 volts. Assuming trying to get the weak cell(s) to fully charge.
Total time to change the battery was just under an hour (including time to take pics for the PDF) and expected I would have to index the windows as I did when replacing the battery in my C6 . Did not, they are fine. About the only thing it did not "remember" was left in Sport, as always, so had to change from Touring. Also had to reset the radio to play my SD card in shuffle mode when the car starts.
#17
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In fairness the car has started fine for ~3 years even after several 2 1/2 week vacations. I don't use a charger (although I have the equivalent of the GM charger I bought early on to see if that would help the voltage-it did not!) Probably a weak cell(s.)
Since it was ~3 years old and before it might fail this winter, decided for $133 sale, getting a better AGM battery was a prudent. Much better to replace when I had the time and NOT when it failed.
Last edited by JerryU; 08-18-2016 at 08:31 AM.
#18
Jerry,
I'm guessing you're going to see similar resting voltages (around 12.4) on your DieHard in a few weeks or months. Many modern cars have "battery management software" that don't allow the alternator to constantly charge the battery while running, but only when it's depleted to a specified level. I suspect its both for fuel economy reasons (reducing the alternator's parasitic effect) and to protect all the electronic systems in today's vehicles.
I traded a Jaguar F-Type to purchase my C7 last June, and the Fs, all had AGM batteries, which showed the same 12.2-4 resting voltage levels. It was a constant topic of conversation on the F-Type forum. I did a lot of testing by driving around w/ a voltmeter connected, and the readings would only spike to 13v + sporadically, w/ occasional brief spikes to 14v or so.
Jaguars explanation was always that's the way the "battery management software" is intended to work. I'm guessing the C7 is similar, and your Delco was normal.
I'm guessing you're going to see similar resting voltages (around 12.4) on your DieHard in a few weeks or months. Many modern cars have "battery management software" that don't allow the alternator to constantly charge the battery while running, but only when it's depleted to a specified level. I suspect its both for fuel economy reasons (reducing the alternator's parasitic effect) and to protect all the electronic systems in today's vehicles.
I traded a Jaguar F-Type to purchase my C7 last June, and the Fs, all had AGM batteries, which showed the same 12.2-4 resting voltage levels. It was a constant topic of conversation on the F-Type forum. I did a lot of testing by driving around w/ a voltmeter connected, and the readings would only spike to 13v + sporadically, w/ occasional brief spikes to 14v or so.
Jaguars explanation was always that's the way the "battery management software" is intended to work. I'm guessing the C7 is similar, and your Delco was normal.
#19
Burning Brakes
I just wonder how many batteries get ruined on the dealers lot prior to purchase, these batteries are not the deep discharge types.
Did you get a car off the lot?
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Great write-up Jerry. Saved the PDF file for future reference.
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