Here I am

Good aftermarket batteries??

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

mpg's screwy

Odd guage reaction.

Status
Not open for further replies.
TowPro said:
Your requirements were

Good: Everstart, made by johnsoncontrol, the makers of Optima

Readily Avalilable: Every Walmart has them

Decent Price: Repeat, Every Walmart has them



I run them in everything. I buy the Yellow ones and have not had one fail, but if it did, take it back to any walmart.



Just a little FYI, Optimas aren't made by Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls is the parent company that owns Optima, but Optima is a separate entity that manufactures their own product.



That's like saying that Ford makes Jaguars just because they own the Jaguar company.



Optimas are really strong batteries. Don't rule them out because one guy had bad luck with them. It won't take long to find out that Optimas are pretty tough just by reading through a few threads on here.
 
DPKetchum said:
"WE" wife and I try to buy nothing from Walmart. We avoid them for the most part and for a number or reasons.

Happy Holidays from wal-mart(notice they don't say merry Christmas). A good place to stay way from if you can.
 
Optimas are good for really HIGH heat or rough conditions like the Baja 1000. Otherwise spend your money on another brand etc. I went battey shopping and 9 out of 10 places steered me AWAY from Optimas. Couple of places were or seemed real knowledgeable about batterys and really DID NOT push or like Optimas and they carried and sold them. Spent HALF and got a longer warranty and higher cold cranking amps.
 
another choice..........

right now I'm running a pair of Interstate BLEM's... ... ... like $30-35 each. they are called blemished due to any little scuff or ding on the outer case. I looked mine over and could hardly find anything wrong with them. this set has been in for a couple of years, will probably replace with the same.



todd
 
We run Caterpillar batteries in all of our Dodge trucks and have never had any problems with any of these batteries. Always lots of cranking power no matter what the temperature. The ones in my 96 Dodge were put in the truck in 1998 and are still going strong to this day. You can get them from most any Caterpillar dealer.
 
Jaysyl said:
Happy Holidays from wal-mart(notice they don't say merry Christmas). A good place to stay way from if you can.



Seems strange that a corporation that is known for equal opportunity, world wide sales records, and the largest corporation in the current world would be looked upon badly for remaining seperate from any one theological principle.

One of the problems with being a world wide corporation is the consideration you have to put for multiple societies. Nothing about Wally World requires it to be influenced by Christians, Muslims, Jews, goat worshippers, Hindu's (SP), they are only bound by one thing, target their customers in the most least offensive manner to welcome all to shop there. If you want to see a single minded business thrive on people's belief's, visit your local church.

Wal Mart is a greedy and life sucking corporation, no doubt. But anytime you turn the profits they are, you pretty much will become the same. K mart, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Target are no different, the have never been any better, they have alot of catchup to play to be a direct competitor to Wally World in their marketing and corporate structure.

Ther reality is, they didn't get the way they are on their own, they grew thanks to the consumer who chose to shop there. Nothing these days is about how someone bought a product, just so long as it was cheap. Turn the criticisms where it belongs, THE CONSUMER!!! Our wallets are the only ethics a corporation/business knows to follow. Show me anything different, and you'll see it choke out in this day and age, very sad but true.



Back on the topic , I have had the same Interstate batteries in my Dodge for 4 years straight. They have survived 3 Montana winters with no ill effects. I have subjected them to -20 degree starts with no problems. There were times I had to place a oil pan heater and block heater on the engine just to get the engine to turn over, but this was no fault of the batteries. Shifting the Manual transmission was impossible until the truck idled for 15 minutes. The batteries have sat for 3 months without any maintnance.

I have had Yellow Wal mart batteries in my Skid Loader without any problems, but it is usually stored inside the shop in winter. I have not had to replace them since new three years ago.

My Volvo Tractor Truck has generic Fleet Pride batteries in it, they have been warranteed twice in two years. THere is no labeling to distinguish who manufactures them for them. Doesn't matter, next time they go bad, I'm tossing them and putting interstate's in it.

Optima's have not done well with me. I've had them in a few of our cars and nto been happy with them. All were warranteed, but that did little for me being stuck in the middle of nowhere trying to figure out how to get home at the time.
 
Last edited:
interstate blems

ISBPilot:



Where did you get those Interstate blems? I could care less what my battery looks like!



Thx,

Thomas
 
HeavyHauler said:
Optimas are really strong batteries. Don't rule them out because one guy had bad luck with them. It won't take long to find out that Optimas are pretty tough just by reading through a few threads on here.





Seems to me it is now three or four guys on the thread in addition to a poor rating from CR. They are "really strong", what kind of experience or hard data is that based on I wonder.



My point is, there are better choices for the money, Interstate for sure and Odyssey even though they aren't cheap (similar to Optima's ;) ).
 
The cranking amps and reserve is whats STRONG and the Optima's are no stronger(in fact some what weaker)in those areas. They DO excell in being able to take HARD jouncing(more then the average will ever do in his vehicle or our diesels. ) and rollovers,offshore racing etc.
 
I went through three Interstates on my old Voyager before selling it. Kragen stopped carrying them locally and now carries another brand. The manager said "too many returns". I can remember the statement but not the brand. I guess the 60's were a little good to me.
 
BHolm said:
Seems to me it is now three or four guys on the thread in addition to a poor rating from CR. They are "really strong", what kind of experience or hard data is that based on I wonder.



Well I bought an Optima red top for another vehicle and it went though 150-200 starts before I found out that the alternator wasn't even charging it. A lot of these starts were short run times, with me just moving the truck around in the garage, but it lasted for several weeks after I put it on the road without being charged by the alternator. So finally after around 175 starts and three weeks of driving, it was finally drained enough that it would turn over the engine.



So I think that gives me a basis to say they're really strong.
 
HeavyHauler said:
Well I bought an Optima red top for another vehicle and it went though 150-200 starts before I found out that the alternator wasn't even charging it. A lot of these starts were short run times, with me just moving the truck around in the garage, but it lasted for several weeks after I put it on the road without being charged by the alternator. So finally after around 175 starts and three weeks of driving, it was finally drained enough that it would turn over the engine.



So I think that gives me a basis to say they're really strong.



Geo Metro starters don't count :-laf



Glad to hear you had good luck with them, I was really hoping that not all of us who bought them ended up feeling ripped off. The marine optima's failed me on a river trip, the Red's left me stranded in the middle of Winter in Sheridan WYoming and in Butte Montana a month later after being warranteed, and the Yellow's wouldn't hold a charge after a few months of hydraulic cylinder duty on a small dump trailer with a trickle charger placed on it every night. All were a royal pain to get warranty on and all were less than a year old when problems came up. The stores I bought them through all claimed I had bought the wrong type battery for my use. Funny, they were all replaced by the same exact amperes and size battery that interstate offered. Not only were they the same rating as the optima's, they were the exact type interstate for all the applications I had them in. The interstates are still in my boat, my suburban, dodge, and my dump trailer, 3 years later on the oldest one.

If you have had good luck with them, that's great, I truely wish I could say the same. It was a very expensive test for me to try them, one I can't afford to fall for again. :(

I might add I also tried one of the exide spiral cell red and black batteries that look similar in shape and design to the optima's. I bought it at one of the Checker's/Kragen/Schuck's part's stores. It could not handle the load of a wally world yellow everstart battery for the old ford farm truck that replaced it. I'm back to the old fashion lead cells for a few more years.

I know the technology is there for a better battery than the old lead acids, I just haven't seen it effectively packaged and designed for automotive use or equipment yet.
 
Last edited:
DKarvwnaris said:
Geo Metro starters don't count :-laf



I've owned a Metro, but that wasn't the vehicle I was referring to. :rolleyes: It actually on my little Isuzu diesel pickup. It has glow plugs and I figured that many starts was pretty good for that battery. I was also doing a lot of work and testing on the electrical lighting during that time too.



Hate that you've had it so bad with the Optimas, but you are one of the few.
 
HeavyHauler said:
I've owned a Metro, but that wasn't the vehicle I was referring to. :rolleyes: It actually on my little Isuzu diesel pickup. It has glow plugs and I figured that many starts was pretty good for that battery. I was also doing a lot of work and testing on the electrical lighting during that time too.



Hate that you've had it so bad with the Optimas, but you are one of the few.



Yeah, I seem to get the "best" of most products reliability record.

Just kidding about the Metro, I didn't know you owned you one. :p
 
Thomas... ... .....



found the blems at my local Interstate dealer. they should have some you just have to ask, they won't be setting out on the shelf anywhere. good luck and hope you have as good a luck as I do with them.



mine are about 3 years old, this past week my charging system went out and they both were drained completely. used jumper cables to charge them and get started. had to stop 2 more times and charge them with the cables just to get home. just a tip for the 24-valve guys, if your voltmeter gets down to 8 start looking for somewhere to stop because your truck will die. got home replaced alternator/generator trickle charged the batteries and it's just like new again. cranks like a charm.



todd
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top