Battery Reviews & Guides You Can Trust

4 Best Batteries for 5.9L Cummins Diesel Engines (2021)

  • By: Chris Patton
  • Date: January 11, 2022
  • Time to read: 7 min.

A 5.9 Cummins diesel engine mixed with extreme weather conditions can be a huge challenge for any battery. Your diesel truck also comes with several electronic appliances that consume lots of power. As a result of this, your 5.9 Cummins diesel engine requires a very strong battery to handle its power needs.

Now, the market abounds with batteries of various group sizes and quality levels. And making the right choice can be difficult if you’re not in the know.

In this post, we’d be enlightening you on the best batteries for your Cummins 5.9 engine-powered truck. Whether you drive a Dodge RAM or another vehicle model powered by this type of engine, you won’t go wrong with our recommendations.

best batteries for cummins 5.9 engine

Best Batteries for 5.9L Cummins Diesel Engines: Our Top 4 Picks

Most diesel trucks powered by Cummins 5.9L engines run on Group 65 batteries. So, we recommend this group size whenever you’re shopping for a replacement battery.

Thankfully, we’ve done all the hard work for you. We scoured the market and compared many different Group 65 batteries based on power output, performance, durability, buyer reviews, and other important factors. And after our research, we came up with a list of our top contenders.

Here you have them…

1. Odyssey 65-PC1750T Automotive and LTV Battery

ODYSSEY 65-PC1750T Automotive and LTV Battery
  • Cold Crank Amp (CCA)- 950
  • Better warranty: Limited 3 and 4 year full replacement warranty – not pro rata
  • Includes SAE Automotive terminals
  • Mounting flexibility: Non-spill able design, vibration resistance- design protects against high impact shock and mechanical vibration
  • Extreme temperature tolerant- Operating temperatures from -40 degree Celsius (-40 degree Fahrenheit) to 45 degree Celsius (113 degree Fahrenheit).
  • This item is not for sale in Catalina Island
  • Fit type: Universal Fit

Specifications

  • AGM design
  • CCA: 950A
  • Reserve Capacity: 145 mins
  • Fast recharge of between 4 to 6 hours
  • 400 cycles at a discharge depth of 80%
  • Weight: 58 pounds
  • Vibration-resistant
  • Non-spillable design
  • Between 3 and 10 years of service life
  • Made in the USA
  • 3-year limited and 4-year full replacement warranty

Our Review

The Odyssey 65-PC1750T battery is known for providing massive starting power, the exact kind your 5.9 Cummings diesel engine needs. This battery has pure virgin lead plates instead of lead alloy like its competitors. Comparing it to its competitors, it provides twice the power many batteries provide and can last thrice of their shelf-life.

The Odyssey 65-PC1750T is one of the most versatile batteries of this type on the market. It can be used in different vehicles, especially those with huge power requirements. This battery was built to be durable and it serves perfectly as well. There are no fears of spills or leaks because of the AGM design.

The way this battery was designed makes its terminals resistant to corrosion thus producing high conductivity. There is an internal gas recycling system, flame retardant cell containers, an auto relief valve, and internal cell connections that are resistant to vibrations.

With this, driving on a rough terrain gives you no headaches because you are sure the battery will remain intact. This battery is also capable of working perfectly under extremely cold conditions. It owes this to its cold-cranking amps rating of 950A.

What we like

  • Very long shelf-life.
  • Cold-cranking power is very high.
  • Works perfectly under extremely cold weather.
  • Brass terminals are tin-plated.
  • Very low self-discharge capacity.
  • Very durable battery.
  • Spill-proof.
  • Vibration-resistant.
  • Terminals are corrosion-resistant.

What we dislike

  • Nothing, really.

2. ACDelco 65AGMHR Professional AGM Automotive BCI Group 65 Battery

ACDelco 65AGM Professional AGM Automotive BCI Group 65 Battery
  • High density negative paste, improves performance and increases battery life
  • Enhanced life alloy/Silver Calcium stamped alloy increases cycle life and improves performance
  • Calcium Lead positive grid, maximizes conductivity and allows for low resistance
  • Robust Envelope Separator with puncture-resistant back, allows for increased acid circulation and prevents shorts. Improved acid circulation, helps the battery to remain cool, and extend battery life.
  • Vent cap design that resists acid leakage

Specifications

  • AGM design
  • Weight: 45.8 pounds
  • CCA: 775A
  • Reserve Capacity: 150 mins
  • Vibration-resistant
  • Dimensions: 11.8 x 7.5 x 7.4 inches
  • Non-spillage design
  • Made in the USA
  • 3-year/unlimited mile warranty

Our Review

There is a lot about the ACDelco 65AGMHR battery that is quite impressive for a battery in this class. The first attractive feature is the cold-cranking amps capacity of 775A. This means that you have sufficient power to kick start your 5.9 Cummings diesel engine any time you want. It also implies that the battery is rugged enough to handle the needs of heavy-duty vehicles.

When you buy this battery, you don’t need to charge it as it comes charged from the company. Simply take the battery out of the package and begin to use it. The packing of this battery is top-notch so you shouldn’t worry about driving around, even on rough terrains.

There is no chance of spills or leaks because of the way the battery is packed, especially with the vent caps. These caps were designed specifically to avoid acid leaks. The robust separators that come with this battery ensure that it has low resistance. The ACDelco 65AGMHR also comes with a ribbed design that ensures the acid circulates better.

When you consider the circulation system, it becomes easier to understand why this battery remains cool even after extended usage. The terminals are resistant to corrosion while increasing the performance and conductivity of the battery.

What we like

  • Long shelf life.
  • Great value for money.
  • Deep cycling capability that contributes to the shelf life of the battery.
  • Works perfectly under extreme weather conditions.
  • Vibration and corrosion-resistant.
  • Spill-proof design.

What we dislike

  • Nothing for now.

3. NORTHSTAR Pure Lead Automotive Group 65 Battery NSB-AGM65

NORTHSTAR Pure Lead Automotive Group 65 Battery NSB-AGM65
  • Pure lead AGM technology delivers exceptional CCA ratings and reserve capacity cycling ability
  • Quick starting every time
  • Cycles over 900 times to 50% depth of discharge
  • Proudly made in the USA at our state-of-the-art battery plant
  • Advanced AGM construction means no water levels to check or terminals to clean

Specifications

  • AGM design
  • Weight: 65 pounds
  • Dimensions: 11.8 x 7.32 x 7.44 inches
  • Fast recharge
  • CCA: 930A
  • Reserve Capacity: 135 mins
  • Vibration-resistant
  • Non-spillable design
  • More than 900 cycles at a discharge depth of 50%
  • Made in the USA
  • 4-year free replacement warranty (manufacturer defects alone)

Our Review

The NSB-AGM65 by NorthStar is one of the easiest batteries on the market. It comes with copper-clad connectors as well as a built-in handle that makes it easy to move it around.

One of the major selling points of the NSB-AGM65 is its ability to supply your 5.9 Cummins diesel engine with high reserve capacity. It also provides very high cranking power. As a result of these features, it will work perfectly to start and stop applications. It will also work seamlessly under extreme weather conditions.

The casing of this battery is designed to keep the acid inside the battery. This means there is no scare of leaks or spills even on rough terrains. It also implies that this battery is resistant to vibrations.

The cold-cranking amps of this battery at 930A are far higher than most of its competitors. It also has very high reserve capacity. This battery is designed using the fast charge technology so it charges fully within 4 to 6 hours. At a discharge depth of 50%, this battery can last up to 900 cycles which is quite amazing.

What we like

  • Very solid build.
  • Arrives fully charged (even though we advise that you check just to be sure).
  • Long shelf-life.
  • Resistant to vibration.
  • Spill-proof design

What we dislike

  • Quite costly.

4. Deka 9A65 AGM Intimidator Battery

Deka 9A65 AGM Intimidator Battery
  • Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 750
  • Group size: 65
  • Polarity: Left positive
  • Battery End Type: Top post
  • Size:: 12″ x 7.375″ x 7.625″

Specification

  • Amp-hour rate: 75Ah
  • CCA: 775A
  • Cranking Amps: 955
  • Reserve Capacity: 150
  • Dimensions: 12 x 7.4 x 7.6 inches
  • AGM design
  • Warranty: 12 months
  • Group size: 65

Our Review

The first thing you will notice about the Deka 9A65 battery is its electrolyte suspension system that is enhanced. It owes this to the special gloss mat that is part of the design. This mat ensures that the battery can absorb more electrolytes.

The Deka 9A65 is resistant to vibration and corrosion. These features ensure that the battery offers better performance than many batteries in the same class. It also comes with a standard DIN auto-post design. By this, we mean that the positive terminal is placed on the left allowing it to supply the needed BCI.

This battery also comes with a very long shelf-life and a very high reserve capacity. The cranking amps of this battery is almost unmatchable. This means that the battery is strong enough to kick start your 5.9 Cummings diesel battery even in very cold conditions. The manufacturers boast that this battery was made for the most extreme conditions.

The Deka 9A65 is also a very versatile battery as it can be used for a variety of vehicles. It is strong enough to handle the electrical needs of your 5.9 Cummings diesel engine and many other vehicles.

What we like

  • It requires no maintenance.
  • Spill-proof.
  • It requires no watering services.
  • High-performance battery.
  • Unmatchable cranking amps.

What we dislike

  • Undercharging or overcharging can affect the shelf-life of the battery.

Wrap-up

It is clear that your 5.9 Cummings diesel engine needs lots of power. To keep the engine reliable, you need a reliable battery. Finding one can be really difficult because of the many brands on the market. And in this post, we have helped solve that challenge by recommending four of the best options you’d find on the market.