Batteries - Commericial grade or Store brand?

[tschwab]

Guys,



It's is time to buy batteries for the truck. The truck requires two 750 CCA (cold cranking amps) batteries. Here is what I have narrowed my choice down to and I need your help in making the correct decision.





Option #1

Costco Wholsale sells their Kirkland brand for $60. 00 each, they are 875 CCA and are a 72 month battery with free replacement within the first two years if they fail. Cash and carry, I install.



Option #2

There is a well regarded shop in the town I live in, which has been making "commercial grade" batteries for two generations, they use old battery cores and build new batteries. They make a 750 CCA which I can buy for $60. 00 each, has a 3 year free replacement and NO pro-rate after that and they install, no charge.



What would you do?

I know some batteries are better than others.

I don't really know what or if a "commercial grade" battery has inside to make it better.

The one thing I like about the commercial grade battery is that it IS NOT maintenance free (meaning I can add water as needed).



Thanks - Terry

 

[Bigramguy]

I have two commercial grade Interstate batteries in my truck. They are really tough. They have been deep cycled many times,which will normally kill regular batteries. The stock batteries lasted me just under two years (with all my electrical stuff),and the Interstates are still going strong. They even put up with a dying alternator for a while,and never let me down. They are a 31 series which is larger than stock. They required a little battery tray trimming,but are rated at 950 CCA (WAY underated),and 200 mins reserve.



We used to by a lot of batteries form Costco,for the shop,as a cheaper alternative to our Interstate line,and have had a lot of problems.



A lot of guys seem to like the Optima's,they are a great battery,but they can be pricey. My Interstates were cheap,have a great warranty,and have done everything they were asked to do.



A commercial grade battery usually has better and thicker plates inside,as well as a better case. They will also stand up to more abuse and vibration as well.

 

[DNelson]

Optima's

The nice thing about the optima marine batteries is that they are meant to be deep-cycled - if you need that kind of performance, you can't loose. Also, they are maint-free, because there is no water in them - they use a paste on a spiral lead "sheet".

 

[illflem]

Just the fact that Optimas don't cause corrosion makes them the only battery I buy.

 

[JohnE]

Terry;



Go to the <strike>Interstate Battery</strike> <b>Johnson Controls</b> website. It states they make the Kirkland branded batteries for Costco.



Do not be misled by high CCA, but low RC or reserve capacity. Cycling the preheat grids a couple times then entended cranking will test the batteries.



I bought a pair of Exide batteries with 870CCA, but only 110 minutes RC. If I do a 2 hour run of the Espar and start the Cummins it must run at least an hour to fully recharge the batteries.



My next set of batteries will probably be commercial 1150's



My 2 reale



-John

 

[paccool]

Regarding your option #2- what are you going to do if you are on a trip and the batteries fail? Something supplied by a local shop will not be replaced by anyone else. You will be better off to stay with a major supplier such as Interstate.



I have a problem believing the Costco batteries are made by Interstate. The few I tried (that failed in short order) had the green eye like a Delco.

 

[JohnE]

Stan;



You are correct. I BF'd on that. Johnson Controls produces Kirkland Signature batteries.



Back to answer Terry's questions and echo your comments. Interstate Megatron is probably the closest to factory original in size and available almost anywhere in the lower 48 and Canada. My local Cummins store sells Interstate.



-John

 

[M Barnett]

I have purchased many Interstates and never a problem.

M Barnett