Cheap A--Factory Battery Replacement

Don't know if anybody else has had the pleasure of washing their Hoe, playing the radio and turning the key only to find that the factory installed battery has died. Happened to me for the second time yesterday. THis time I only played the radio for about 20 minutes while I wiped it down and the batery called it quits. I went to purchase a good deep cycle battery and decided on the Optima yelow top that I had in my 2000 Hoe, but they don't make one to fit the 07 (yet). Iknow that the second you hit the RKE transmitter to open the door, several functions on the Hoe start to work, but that means GM should've placed a better battery in the truck. As soon as you open the door you can hear the disc reader on the nav system (if you have it) working.
 
Anybody know of a good deep cycle battery other than the Optima ?

see also http://www.chevroletforum.com/m_11788/tm.htm
 
I have been considering adding the aux battery also, besure to post any update info if you decide to do it.

would it fit in the secondary batt location, and just mount a distribution block in the original location and run new primary leads to the batt?
 

There was a software update for the 2007s to help prevent this problem.

Had this happen once, simply pushed the button that turns off the interior lights while
the doors are open.  Never happened again.  All the interior lights, along with the Nav
radio running, draws lots of power.

Had the same problem and the dealer ended up testing the battery and replacing the battery with a new bigger delco battery. No troubles since.

Yeah, I think I'll head to the dealer today. Battery died again yesterday while I was doing a modification. The interior lights weren't on.

At the risk of sounding pretty stupid, we all seem to suspect the battery in these issues but maybe we should also consider the charging system.  Maybe take the car to AutoZone and they can test your system to see if your alternator is charging the battery properly.  You probably already ruled out other causes than the battery though.   I found that corroded battery posts can significantly reduce charging of the battery.  Once I had corrosion big time that I couldn't see because of the red plastic caps they nowadays put on the posts.  AutoZone couldn't check my charging system or battery until I cleaned them up with baking soda and water.  After I did, I found out my system was ok.  Just a thought.


Thumbnail Image

A few of us experienced this condition fairly soon after we brought our trucks home.  Since getting the fix, I've been able to go thru 3 or 4 retained power cycles w/o killing the battery.

found this http://www.tahoeforum.com/showthread.php?t=2321
 
then there is this post http://www.chevroletforum.com/m_26330/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm

and this http://www.jcwhitney.com/AUXILIARY-BATTERY-INSTALLATION-KIT/GP_2009231_N_111+10207+600010098_10107.jcw?showCustom=0
 
I have to admit thou I want something clean and factory looking

Had my AC serviced today dealer had to replace the Schrader valve as it was leaking they did a fine job and the AC is plenty cold now.
 
ANYWAY I also inquired about having an AUX battery installed and pointed out to the service writer that surely they must have something as there is a tray for it, He said he would check into it, well the story is NO there is no factory AUX battery kit, the extra tray is there because of the diesel engine option. He said that the AUX battery setup is possible but it would have to be done with an aftermarket kit.