Yet another battery symposium

[TGVET]

OK, it wasn't my intention to change batteries as I have read accounts of 10 yo OEM still in use. Mine "would have been" 6 next month however, unfortunately in the process of repairing my other issue (failed HE) the key got left on in accessory (at least I think that was the cause) and with only the Left one installed as the right had been out to acess coolant reservoir. Upon getting ready to start rig yesterday, ZERO. . I put a digital charger on it and nothing, . 3volts. Pretty sure the 48 hour slow drain killed it. Swapped right side, charged a day while at work and no problem.



Not one to mix and match, I now need 2 new batteries.



OEM/Mopar = 750 CC /150min reserve, which have never been an issue where I live (north of Seattle/ 10 deg colder temps)



Interstate, Optima or some other brand ?



Which to replace ?



Thanks guys.

Rob

 

[jdross440]

I use the MAXX 27 batteries from Wal-Mart. Just replaced one that was 6 years old. I use these in both my 2000 and 2007 trucks and my son uses them in his Powerstroke Super Duty. If one goes bad, they test it and replace on the spot. Wal-marts are almost everywhere.

 

[JLandry]

Rob,



Why not go with Mopar batteries again?



Call a couple local dealers to get pricing. They'll likely have to order them.



Regards,



John L.

 

[jhenderson]

I have switched to Interstate. I used to use Wal-Mart,but I had one give me trouble and got no satisfaction. I went to 2 different stores and was told the battery was good. I finally went to a local battery and electrical repair shop and had them test it. The battery had one bad cell, and half of it's rated cranking amperage. I will NEVER buy another battery from Wal-Mart. A warranty is only as good as the retailer you purchase the product from. The best part is, I got a battery with more amps, for LESS MONEY from my local shop.

 

[AEdelheit]

I've been really happy with Deka batteries myself! I personally really don't like Interstate , replace a lot of them at work

 

[Bater]

I am an Interstate guy.



However, because I am very suspicious of how long batteries (of any brand) have been sitting on display racks at the local retailer/garage, I make the trek to the Interstate warehouse. I am hopeful that gives me a battery that is a tad bit fresher.



Andy

 

[George Cameron]

I replaced the ones in my 2006 with Duralast Gold from Autozone. They have an 8 year warranty with 3 year free replacement. I figured that if I had a problem I could get replacements nationwide. Group 65-DLG retails for $122. 99 ea. in my area.

 

[HBarlow]

Wal-Mart and SAM's Club batteries are good enough for me. I've never had a warranty issue with them and their prices are always far more attractive than a dealer or an autoparts store.

The Wal-Mart batteries are made by Johnson Controls, the company who actually manufacturers a large percentage of batteries sold in the US. I don't know who manufactures SAM's batteries although I have a pair in my truck and a pair in my fifthwheel.

For those who are loyal to Interstate batteries try doing a little research online and determine where Interstate battery's manufacturing plant is located. When I looked a year or two ago I found that no manufacturing plant exists. One of the big battery manufacturers like Johnson Controls manufactures there batteries - just like Wal-Mart batteries are made by Johnson Controls. Facts are often unpleasant to learn.

EDIT: Anticipating that someone might come back and call me a liar about Interstate Batteries I did a little more research. Here is what I found:

http://batteries-faq.com/activekb/questions.php?questionid=51

 

[HBarlow]

I replaced the ones in my 2006 with Duralast Gold from Autozone. They have an 8 year warranty with 3 year free replacement. I figured that if I had a problem I could get replacements nationwide. Group 65-DLG retails for $122. 99 ea. in my area.

In my experience a battery retailer who offers some pie in the sky promise like 8 year warranty with 3 year replacement knows full well that their batteries won't last much beyond 3 years and after that, the prorated refund won't be much.

 

[Bater]

From Johnson Control's 2011 SEC 10K filing:



"Power solutions is the principal supplier of batteries to many of the largest merchants in the battery aftermarket, including Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Robert Bosch GmbH, Costco, NAPA, O’Reilly/CSK, Interstate Battery System of America, Pep Boys, Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Wal-Mart stores. Automotive batteries are sold throughout the world under private labels and under the Company’s brand names (Optima®, Varta®, LTH® and Heliar®) to automotive replacement battery retailers and distributors and to automobile manufacturers as original equipment. The power solutions business competes with a number of major domestic and international manufacturers and distributors of lead-acid batteries, as well as a large number of smaller, regional competitors. The power solutions business primarily competes in the battery market with Exide Technologies, GS Yuasa Corporation, East Penn Manufacturing Company and Fiamm Group. The North American, European and Asian lead-acid battery markets are highly competitive. The manufacturers in these markets compete on price, quality, technical innovation, service and warranty. "



Of course each of these retailers/vendors might have their own specifications that they set when entering into a contract with Johnson Controls. Perhaps things like how the plates are constructed etc. Or maybe that is wishful thinking on my part, and everything is worked out on the golf course!



Andy

 

[goodguys75]

I am an Interstate guy.



However, because I am very suspicious of how long batteries (of any brand) have been sitting on display racks at the local retailer/garage, I make the trek to the Interstate warehouse. I am hopeful that gives me a battery that is a tad bit fresher.



Andy

all batteries have the little date sticker on them when made... if it is only a few mo it is good..... batteries at auto parts places dont sit too long...

 

[goodguys75]

I went to costco... . but now they have interstate ( which i dont like ) so when they go bad... I guess i will run interstate through costco... but I change my batteries every 3 yrs no matter what... ... . why risk being stranded... . if you never leave the city, then you have no worries... . but with kids in my truck and far out... I dont risk it...

 

[HBarlow]

From Johnson Control's 2011 SEC 10K filing:

"Power solutions is the principal supplier of batteries to many of the largest merchants in the battery aftermarket, including Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Robert Bosch GmbH, Costco, NAPA, O’Reilly/CSK, Interstate Battery System of America, Pep Boys, Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Wal-Mart stores. Automotive batteries are sold throughout the world under private labels and under the Company’s brand names (Optima®, Varta®, LTH® and Heliar®) to automotive replacement battery retailers and distributors and to automobile manufacturers as original equipment. The power solutions business competes with a number of major domestic and international manufacturers and distributors of lead-acid batteries, as well as a large number of smaller, regional competitors. The power solutions business primarily competes in the battery market with Exide Technologies, GS Yuasa Corporation, East Penn Manufacturing Company and Fiamm Group. The North American, European and Asian lead-acid battery markets are highly competitive. The manufacturers in these markets compete on price, quality, technical innovation, service and warranty. "

Of course each of these retailers/vendors might have their own specifications that they set when entering into a contract with Johnson Controls. Perhaps things like how the plates are constructed etc. Or maybe that is wishful thinking on my part, and everything is worked out on the golf course!

Andy

Andy,

I believe that is more likely to be wishful thinking on your part than fact. It doesn't seem likely that a battery manufacturer like Johnson Controls with assembly lines to manufacture thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of batteries annually, is going to alter such fundamental components as battery plates within specific battery groups. I could be wrong but . . .

I would prefer to guess that the contractual agreements between Johnson Controls and Interstate, Wal-Mart, and others specify case color, logo, numbers of batteries contracted for, and wholesale price.

 

[Bater]

all batteries have the little date sticker on them when made... if it is only a few mo it is good..... batteries at auto parts places dont sit too long...

I know exactly the sticker you are talking about. In my mind I am always thinking of the one that you scrape off to set the warranty, but really that little 1/2" square "date manufactured" sticker on the side is probably as important. I will have to take a minute to nose around some of the retailers as research, just what are the manufacturing codes on what is on the shelf?



The more I think about it, maybe that is why people don't like Interstate. Near me, they always seem to be sitting on dusty racks in garages, they don't sell at parts stores. (That is another reason why I go to the Interstate warehouse, don't have to argue about not wanting installation. ) Could it be with that type distribution, Interstate batteries are more prone to get old than other brands that cycle faster through a parts store? I would bet that the driver on the Interstate route is supposed to watch for that though, and change them out before that happens.



Andy

 

[jroyster06]

I have optima red tops. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!!! I can run my Radio w. amp and subs all night, hooked up to my horse trailer using truck to light interior all night long with no problems. I also like them for the simple fact that they are sealed which means you will never have to clean a connection or worry about corroded ends again. I think even if i had a brand new truck with brand new batteries i would put optimas in. Save your cables and connectors, not to mention they are 1000 CCA's

 

[crispyboy]

I try to keep my purchases local when I can and avoid the big box stores when possible.

Typically I purchase batteries through a local auto parts store but I found out that I could actually get batteries cheaper at the Dodge dealer and recently I found another local guy with a specialty battery shop where I purchased two deep cycle rv batteries cheaper than anyone else out there.

 

[jhenderson]

My point exactly. It doesn't make any difference who makes the battery if the person selling it to you knows nothing about it. My experience with Wal Mart seems to be typical. A local shop that cares about it's customer gets my money every time.

 

[TGVET]

Stirring the nest

:-{}



Well I certainly got a buzz going here. I had thought about going back to OEM (only reason I'd ever go to the stealership) for pricing and check warranty. I had been leaning towards Red-top too for the reasons just stated. Last year when I was in my local Int. St. warehouse I was quoted pretty good $$ for them under my biz account but I wanted to get some opines here first to digest what everyone across the country is experiencing.



I'd pay double the annual membership fee here if there was such but of course, we know, that will never be. .



Thanks guys for all the input.

 

[HBarlow]

Buying local is always a good thing for your local retailer and may give some a warm fuzzy feeling but what matters to me is price, battery service life, and length of time the battery performs at near peak performance.

I look at purchase price divided by months or miles of service. If I pay $90 for a battery and it lasts 60 months that battery cost me $1. 50/month. When it dies a natural death I return it to SAM's or WM for disposal and buy replacement. Another option is a battery recycler. I recently discovered a battery recycler in Lubbock that paid me $8/battery for failed full size batteries and $4/battery for small lawn tractor batteries.

Lifetime warranties don't mean much when the prorated cost of replacement under warranty make the battery more expensive than a top quality battery.

 

[TGVET]

Buying local is always a good thing for your local retailer and may give some a warm fuzzy feeling but what matters to me is price, battery service life, and length of time the battery performs at near peak performance.



I look at purchase price divided by months or miles of service. If I pay $90 for a battery and it lasts 60 months that battery cost me $1. 50/month. When it dies a natural death I return it to SAM's or WM for disposal and buy replacement. Another option is a battery recycler. I recently discovered a battery recycler in Lubbock that paid me $8/battery for failed full size batteries and $4/battery for small lawn tractor batteries.



Lifetime warranties don't mean much when the prorated cost of replacement under warranty make the battery more expensive than a top quality battery.

Can't disagree with that point.