Two group 31's to crank 855?

[NDT]

Anybody successfully using two group 31 batteries to crank a 250 or 400 Cummins in a 800 series or 915 series truck? Cold weather operation is not a concern.

 

[KsM715]

I use 2 interstate blems in my M818. As long as they stay fully charged and your trucks fuel system holds prime they work just fine. I think I have an air leak in mine and it has to crank for a little bit while I pump the primer pump and it will fire.

 

[papercu]

I get used batteries from the junkyard, they work fine. The days that are cold I stay inside. Wayne

 

[cbvet]

The 31s work fine in mine, all year 'round, in Northern Indiana.

 

[area52]

Yep two 31's in my M816, fired up fine (til it gets cold here then I will plug in the block heater).

 

[jcappeljr]

Thats all I ever use is two batteries in all my 5 tons..

 

[MyothersanM1]

Two Group 34's from Grandma Kirkland...all is good.

 

[R Racing]

When I had fuel line issues in Dec. 2 new 31s only gave me 3 or 4 trys before giving up . Also 2 wont start my m920 when its 17 degrees out . so now all my 5 ton and up have 4 batteries and no more issues. I know some that have no issues what so ever. Not me lol .

 

[NDT]

Thanks everyone. My 915 is off the deadline with 2 new O'Reilys made in USA group 31s. Cranks just fine. See ya, 6TMF's!!

 

[doghead]

2 new automobile sized batteries in an 809 series truck does not cut it up here in the cold. Tried it...

2 big rig batteries, works great!

 

[DaveP]

I use 4 31's but I live where it gets cold. I have to wonder tho how the starter likes repeated use with only 2 batts. low amps cant be good for it. but thats just how my three brain cells think.

 

[Dave08]

I use deep cycle Marine Batteries in mine as I do not drive them that often. Plus if my boat batteries die, I can rob Peter to pay Paul and have a good day fishing.
Dave08

 

[Coldfusion21]

I use 2 interstate blems in my M818. As long as they stay fully charged and your trucks fuel system holds prime they work just fine. I think I have an air leak in mine and it has to crank for a little bit while I pump the primer pump and it will fire.

What's the story on the blemished batteries? Good discount? How do you come across them?

 

[KsM715]

Yes, if you can find an interstate dealer, they can usually get blems, and they a lot cheaper than new ones.

I just happen to know the interstate delivery driver for this area and had him get me 2.

DaveP, never thought of it that way. When I get to the point of using the M818 more regularly I might just go back to 4.

 

[Bighurt]

I run 4 ex batteries out of my F350...we'll see how winter treats them.

 

[indy4x4fab]

docfarmalls used them too for some time and I am going to be running 4 of them in my 818.

 

[motorolanut]

I use two group 31 AGM deep cycle marine batteries in my M813A1 in the WV Cold winters and no issues here.

 

[M215]

M813

I have used 2 car batteries in our M813 for years. The original cold start unit was non-operational and was replaced with a block heater. For stuations when cold starting without a place to plug the block heater in I also installed an ether start kit.

 

[sandcobra164]

I use Hawkers in all my trucks and love them. I have 2 in an M818 I recovered for a guy and they spin that 855 over very nicely down here in SW GA. In the Deuce, the starter spins the motor about as fast as it runs at idle. Kind of hard to pin down though, the Deuce is running the moment you press the starter button unless you forget to push the fuel control in.