Batteries , gauges , who knows?

[GTdrummer]

I have two GTs. When I bought each I immediately took out the OE batteries and put in Odyessy 10 year batteries which , on information and belief were the end all, be all.

I have had 3 GTs and never had the gauge bug. Ironically, my white GT, which I drive the most , and in which you would think the battery would be at its best, began having boost and speedo issues. My GT dealer , who has much GT wisdom suggested I get another battery . So, I am thinking 1.5 years on a 10 year battery??

I go to Sears get the Platimun and ,voila , for reasons that make no sense the gauges come back. Of course, the sears battery is identical to the Odyessy -- both made by the same company.

My Viper tech took the old Odyessy battery to his dealership and said it was shot. Very surprising.

So what does this tell us? Damned if I know. Just reporting in.

 

[shelbyelite]

If your GT is not driven regularly (weekly) it should be kept on a battery tender. If you ever have a low battery more than once, CHANGE IT!!!. If you have a bad gauge or gauges, change your battery before you change the gauges. We have had numerous gauges come back to life just by putting a fresh battery on the car. A $200 battery is much cheaper than replacing just 1 gauge. I have 17 Ford GTs under my roof as I type this. Have gone through 500+ GTs and bought atleast 25 gauges, but the number would be double that had I replaced every gauge that didn't work before I tried a new battery.

 

[Fubar]

Thank for the info (from both of you guys). I too thought the Odyessy battery was supposed to be the 'end all be all' but I guess it is just not the case any more.

There is supposed to be some new type of battery that is going to change the world... a carbon-blah blah blah battery. I am sure someone will chime in with more info.

 

[GTdrummer]

Shelby is right in the main, and the one who gave me the advice. BUT, I was the driving the car weekly . So, the mystery continues. But, I can attest to dropping in a new battery at the first sign on gauge failure .

 

[andreikoc]

A bad battery is statistical and can happen even when new. Incidentally, battery upgrades (platinum, etc) that don't increase things like cranking amps etc. are really only insidious insurance policies. The platinum and bronze battery are in these cases identical. Gaugewise, some digital circuits will fry if underpowered due to inability to latch and so just continue to flow current until fried. I think the DieHard solution and battery tender is best. I use Kendall's remote connector.

 

[Xcentric]

I got an Odyssey for my truck for the same end all be all reason. 880 CCA, deep cycle, yadda yadda. It lasted one year. I thought I had a current drain because it would go flat after sitting for a week. I put a voltmeter on it...12.3 volts (should be 12.8).

The good news was I bought it from Amazon. Sent them an email and they immediately shipped a replacement...no charge.

 

[Black GT]

I had really good luck with stock battery. So, when I replaced I just ordered a stock one from dealer. Has ford GT on top of bat just like oem. Keep it on trickle charger and have had no issues thus far knock on wood.

 

[MNJason]

My first gauge went bad about 6 months after replacing my original OEM battery. Always (always!!) on a battery tender.

 

[MAD IN NC]

Thank for the info (from both of you guys). I too thought the Odyessy battery was supposed to be the 'end all be all' but I guess it is just not the case any more.

There is supposed to be some new type of battery that is going to change the world... a carbon-blah blah blah battery. I am sure someone will chime in with more info.

yep... and as sooon as the Dreamliner flies again it should be fixed, again!

 

[RALPHIE]

Thank for the info (from both of you guys). I too thought the Odyessy battery was supposed to be the 'end all be all' but I guess it is just not the case any more.

There is supposed to be some new type of battery that is going to change the world... a carbon-blah blah blah battery. I am sure someone will chime in with more info.

A bad battery is statistical and can happen even when new. Incidentally, battery upgrades (platinum, etc) that don't increase things like cranking amps etc. are really only insidious insurance policies. The platinum and bronze battery are in these cases identical. Gaugewise, some digital circuits will fry if underpowered due to inability to latch and so just continue to flow current until fried. I think the DieHard solution and battery tender is best. I use Kendall's remote connector.

I got an Odyssey for my truck for the same end all be all reason. 880 CCA, deep cycle, yadda yadda. It lasted one year. I thought I had a current drain because it would go flat after sitting for a week. I put a voltmeter on it...12.3 volts (should be 12.8).

The good news was I bought it from Amazon. Sent them an email and they immediately shipped a replacement...no charge.

yep... and as sooon as the Dreamliner flies again it should be fixed, again!

You guys wouldn't have all these problems if you'd just use a "turbo entabulator." - :lol

 

[BlackICE]

If you want to be on the bleeding edge you can use similar "aero-space" technology in your FGT.

http://www.lithionicsbattery.com/auto.html

Be sure to put another halon system in the front.

 

[Ed Sims]

I drive my GT all the time. 40,000+ miles, good OEM battery but I still have 4 broken gauges. Now, I am a happy man with my Speedhut gauges & panel. Better looking than OEM in my opinion. Plus, lifetime warranty.

Ed

 

[MartynL]

I had purchased my Tungsten GT Nov-Dec 2011, a couple of months later had Heffner replace the Ford battery (which tested fine) with a new Ford GT battery. I keep the GT, like my Corvette, always on a CTEK trickle charger when they are not driven. A month or so ago hit 10,000 miles and my speedo failed at an embarrassing 42 mph! In a couple of weeks will have Jason replace IP with SpeedHut package. Don't think battery strength has that much to do with gauge failure based on my experience.
Marty

 

[Empty Pockets]

If you want to be on the bleeding edge you can use similar "aero-space" technology in your FGT.

http://www.lithionicsbattery.com/auto.html

Be sure to put another halon system in the front.

Uuuuuuh...would they by any chance happen to supply the lith batteries for Boeing's "Dream Liners".................? :willy