Played tapps over the OEM Motorcraft battery today. Last two days in perfect temp/weather 77 degree weather. Ruby red choked a bit sputtered and spun the engine after sitting for 15 hours or so. I knew it's days were numbered. After checking around a bit it seems bang for the buck and convenience if replacement is needed. I usually bought the DieHard but with Sears stores on the brink of closing many locations I decided just go to Napa. Bought this on a 20% off sale.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBP8465
They have promo going. They sell a 5 gallon bucket for $1.00 and donate it. You place 3 items in the bucket you get 20% off everything you buy. I placed a small 12v dc solar charger in the bucket. $34.00 item i know i can use. Two wiper blades for my wifes car. She loves wiper blades and it repays her for the beer She had recently bought me. She wanted some car wax as well. She loves to wax the Explorer. I drink the beer and watch.
I plugged in the solar charger to the cig lighter hoping it would maintain the memory while I changed out the Battery.
It took me all of 5 minutes once I looked it over. Removed the strap. Negative post and that fancy Positive post. Snatched the OEM out with the Blanket?? (What is that for) Placed in the new battery and connected the cables.
All done I took off the solar panel turned the key to acc and checked radio is still programed just fine, Do not know if the solar panel made a difference but results are fine with me. Turned the key and it spun really fast and a bit longer then it seemed it should. Started up and I took it for a drive taking the Motorcraft to that battery recycle in the sky. Service date is about May 2012 and the Battery was probably a few months old by then so lets say Jan 1 2012. So It lasted 5 years and 6 months. It was never a strong battery for me as I had to jump it on the lot to start it in December 2015. It also needed a jump this past winter a couple times. Playing the Radio in the driveway as the wax was being applied also killed it this june so I knew it's days were numbered.
Results are good. Spins fast, starts quick. The radio sounds better. The lights are brighter and I swear I saw a little smile on the front grill as I went in the house today.