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daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
#922767
02/07/11 02:18 AM
02/07/11 02:18 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
GO_Fish
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
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2001 300m. OEM battery lasted an amazing 6-7 years. Was still working good when I pulled it because I knew it had to be on borrowed time. The replacement has only lasted 3-4 years.
Wrecked my back replacing it last time, need something that is going to last. I'm thinking about an Interstate Mega-tron II, 75 months.
What brands have been good for you?
Scott B.
"I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!"
68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph
69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph
01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4
01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GO_Fish]
#922769
02/07/11 04:20 AM
02/07/11 04:20 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 357
Lake Elmo, MN
Evil Monkey
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 357
Lake Elmo, MN
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I've never bought an Interstate battery, but I have bought a few cars that had Interstate batteries in them, and those batteries lasted forever. I bought my Neon 5 years ago with an Interstate in it (not a new one either), and it's still going strong. I was just thinking last summer, as I was getting a free replacement battery for a Dura-Last that didn't last (with 2 weeks left on its full replacement warranty  ) that the next time I need to buy a battery, I'm going to buy an Interstate.
1974 'Cuda 360/TKO
1990 Ram Van
1998 Neon
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Commando1]
#922774
02/07/11 10:23 AM
02/07/11 10:23 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,377
Rancho Cordova, CA
Exit1965
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,377
Rancho Cordova, CA
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Quote:
I've been using Walmart for all my batteries with very good success.
Please don't hate me.
Same here, the yellow ones. The ones I've bought (2 years ago being the latest) have said "Johnson Controls" on the label.
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Mopar_Country]
#922777
02/07/11 11:26 AM
02/07/11 11:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
East Brunswick, NJ
finadk
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
East Brunswick, NJ
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I have had good luck with Sears Diehard Gold and Interstate. Both will survive a regharge and cime back after leaving your lights on overnight. Recently i bought 2 from sams club, forgot the brand but they ate holding up well in this severe north east cold spell.
Scott
1956 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer (408 Stroker, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Rack & Pinion, 6 speed)
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab
1976 Corvette
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#922779
02/07/11 01:39 PM
02/07/11 01:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
Commando1
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
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Quote:
Weigh a Walmart battery and weigh the most expensive battery you can find that is made by Johnson Controls and I think you will see a significant difference.
I'm in 1000% with you but, when looking for a battery, you can't lug a scale around.
I have no doubt that Walmart has the least plates at the best quality for the price. You can only hit 2 out of 3. You pick which two...
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: geno440]
#922783
02/07/11 05:39 PM
02/07/11 05:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,683
Des Moines IA
Soopernaut
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,683
Des Moines IA
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I had the original Motorcraft(Johnson Controls) battery in my DD last for 9 years. It isn't completely dead but has been replaced by an Interstate(also Johnson Controls). Hopefully I'll get another 9 years.
1970 Dodge d100/eventually going on a 77 D100 frame
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Soopernaut]
#922784
02/07/11 07:18 PM
02/07/11 07:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067
Irving, TX
feets
Senior Management
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Senior Management
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067
Irving, TX
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I ran an Optima red top in the hot rod for 7 years. That's pretty good considering that it was a used battery when I got it. The Texas heat kills many batteries in 3 years.
I put another Optima in my 92 D250 Cummins (single battery truck) and it works great.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#922786
02/07/11 09:57 PM
02/07/11 09:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
denfireguy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I've been using Walmart for all my batteries with very good success.
Please don't hate me.
Same here, the yellow ones. The ones I've bought (2 years ago being the latest) have said "Johnson Controls" on the label.
I saw a post last year from a Johnson Controls employee( I think he was an engineer but not sure). He said that they make batteries for a lot of different venders. He said they all have the same exact plates in them but not the same number of plates. He said the Walmart batteries have the same quality of parts as any of their other batteries but they have the least number of plates. Weigh a Walmart battery and weigh the most expensive battery you can find that is made by Johnson Controls and I think you will see a significant difference.
 There are less than 5 manufacturers in the country making car batteries. Johnson Controls makes ALL of the brands mentioned above. They got most of them when they bought Globe Union in the 70s. They got the rest when they bought Optima in 2000.
Johnson controls also makes some or all of these batteries as well:
Acura, Advance Auto Parts, Autocraft, Western Auto, Tough One, Alliance, American Hardware, Ames, Varta, Blains Farm & Fleet, Battery Alliance, Bosch, Carrefour(Europe), Champion, Amara Raja Batteries LTD(Joint venture with Johnson Controls India).
Varta, Optima Batteries, LTH, and Heliar are all battery manufactures owned by Johnson Controls.
Johnson Controls supplies Ford Motor company, Diamler Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Isuzu with original equipment batteries. So next time you go and buy a battery, or a automobile chances are its a battery made by Johnson Controls.
2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda
Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango
Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: denfireguy]
#922787
02/07/11 10:47 PM
02/07/11 10:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
GO_Fish
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
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Crown Battery out of Freemont Ohio was the failed battery at 3-4 years old (I didn't punch out the year sticker). Their website indicates they make their own batteries there in Ohio (?). I went and got an Interstate Mega-Tron 34 today, it was a bit beefier than the Crown (about an inch thicker from front to back) The Interstate has the removable caps so you can check and fill the water.  The Crown was sealed.
Scott B.
"I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!"
68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph
69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph
01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4
01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: 52savoy]
#922789
02/08/11 11:43 AM
02/08/11 11:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,789
Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Magnum
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,789
Hamilton, Ontario Canada
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I don't know who makes the Eliminator you buy from Canadian Tire but I have one that's at about 11 years old.
Bought a $300 Ramcharger parts truck for my Ram in 2001. It had a nice battery in it so I kept it too. Had a "99" date on it. Probably was 2 years old.
It's still in my truck today and it's not quite a daily driver. It sits for weeks at a time and is still in there today.
69 Super Bee, 93 Mustang LX, 04 Allure Super
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Azzkikrcuda]
#922795
02/08/11 07:45 PM
02/08/11 07:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,320
St. Louis, Mo
318 Stroker
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,320
St. Louis, Mo
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Quote:
I have had luck with Interstate in my cars.
Good luck here with Interstates!
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Hemidavey]
#922796
02/08/11 08:27 PM
02/08/11 08:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
Delco are the best.
I'm thinking so too. Bill's Battery, a local long time battery distrubuter in my area has always offered Delco as the top of the line battery.
Always has at least 2 battery choices, Queen City Battery or the Delcos. Delco is always higher priced and has a better warenty.
I have also heard many guys say that Interstate is a good battery.
I do know now from the last 3-5 years of buying some Car Quest batterys, they don't last. And I judge that by buying about 6 a year for the last 3 years or so.
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: SomeCarGuy]
#922798
02/08/11 09:46 PM
02/08/11 09:46 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
Car Quest sells a real crappy line. Their 5 year battery is good for about 3 years. IMO, the intent is to get you coming back and buying a new one since that is how their pro rated BS warranty works.
I believe it, no more Car Quest batterys for me. I still buy parts from them.
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GO_Fish]
#922800
02/08/11 09:54 PM
02/08/11 09:54 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,226
Cookeville
Chilort
Will Work For Mopars
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Will Work For Mopars
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,226
Cookeville
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: dsp]
#922804
02/09/11 09:34 AM
02/09/11 09:34 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
AGM batteries are the best by far. Try one and you'll never go back to traditional "flooded" type batteries. No more corroded terminals, no more acid damage to sensitive electronics near the battery (why does Chrysler insist on installing the ECM, fuse box, and relays next to the battery anyway?) They are quite a bit more expensive, but when you're trying to start your car on a -10 morning (like tomorrow morning here in Iowa) clean battery terminals are invaluable! Install it and forget it. The Orbital I purchased ten years ago still works! The Sears DieHard Platinum (built by, I believe, Odyssey) is a very powerful battery. Synthetic oil is also a good choice for -10 mornings!
I have used them, I have bought maybe 5-6 of them since 2000, they didn't last either. I paid like almost 200 bucks for them and used them in dragsters, they don't last. Mine didn't maybe there better now? 
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Lawn Monkey]
#1953570
11/18/15 11:05 AM
11/18/15 11:05 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,487
STL
cdstl
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,487
STL
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To be honest, the Duralast Gold that Autozone sells has been a REALLY good battery for me. One lasted nearly 10 years in my Dakota.
I've listened in on posts on a Cummins site and basically all batteries are made by two or three manufacturers. Age has set in on my brain. I know that Johnson Controls is one of them. Each vendor orders batteries to their specs. The more cold cranking amps, the more plates in the battery. The battery last longer. I need two for my truck and I will probably go to Autozone. Good warranty on the Golds.
Walmart sux.
1972 Cuda 340 4 speed, 2001 Ram CTD 4x4 6 speed, 1970 Duster 408 4 speed, 1996 Ram 5.9 2x4 auto, 1965 Coronet 500
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: cogen80]
#1953638
11/18/15 12:46 PM
11/18/15 12:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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Changed?
1. Used Optima until 2008, when I got tired of their newer batts crapping out.
2. Switched to Sears Platiumun, last month I took one in for warranty, they no longer offered a 4 year AGM, so they replaced batt with another brand AGM 3 yr, and bought out remainder of the warranty with a store credit.
3. A Lot of my batteries sit for 4-6 months a year idle, and that seems to take a toll, not sure if they really worth the extar cost for top of the line agm's, other then bragging rights when it comes down to it. In vehicles used weekly, I have much better results.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Lawn Monkey]
#1953907
11/18/15 08:40 PM
11/18/15 08:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,099
Rogue River, OR
Jeremiah
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,099
Rogue River, OR
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I always pay more for quality at Interstate batteries, Autozone and advance sells cheap crappy batteries..... Ya get what ya pay for is the old saying. I second that! I have at least ten running, drive tagged and insured Mopar cars/trucks and all of them have Interstate batteries. I have had two die in 15 years and they were warrantied. For comparison a 67 Impala came in with a brand new Walmart battery and the next day when I tried to pull it in the shop is had a shorted cell. Maybe others have good luck but we surely have not.
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GO_Fish]
#1954826
11/20/15 12:50 PM
11/20/15 12:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,337
the house on the left.
cogen80
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,337
the house on the left.
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ok so i have it narrowed down to two..
never had am interstate before but a lot of people seem to really like them.. my jeep calls for the MT34 (Mega-Tron 34 Automotive Battery Five-Year Performance 700 CCA) is this a decent battery?
5 year warranty with 24 month free replacement. 700 cca come in at $119 plus tax...
or the dura last gold. i have used these in the past with good results. this one has a 5 year warranty and 3 year free replacement. and has 800 cca but is a little more expensive at 138.00 plus tax.
Last edited by cogen80; 11/20/15 12:51 PM.
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GO_Fish]
#1954849
11/20/15 01:32 PM
11/20/15 01:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,225
Bloomington, IN
HoosierTA
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,225
Bloomington, IN
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I had a smaller size Interstate in my TA. It could sit for weeks to a couple months and cranked away. Duralast Gold sounds like an interesting alternative. will see if there is a sale on them when time comes to buy another.
'70 Challenger R/T 383
'16 Hemi Durango SSV (work vehicle)
'15 Ram Police SSV
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GO_Fish]
#1954872
11/20/15 02:22 PM
11/20/15 02:22 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 528
SW CO
HemiSportFury
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 528
SW CO
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I have had good luck with Duralast Gold also. I replaced the original batteries in my 03 CTD with Diehard Platinum about four years ago with no problem.
'64 Sport Fury, 528 Hemi, FiTech EFI, 4-speed, 4.10 Dana 60
'57 Belvedere 2dr sedan, current project in process
'19 Cherokee Trail Hawk Elite
'03 Ram 2500 CTD HO, 6-speed 214,000 miles and still going strong
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: HemiSportFury]
#1955246
11/21/15 09:35 AM
11/21/15 09:35 AM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
Plum440
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,499
Slidell, LA
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I have had good luck with Duralast Gold also. Same here...
70 Challenger, 440, 4-speed, pLuM cRaZy
71 VW Super Beetle Convertible, Lemon Yellow
A couple of Jeeps…
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GO_Fish]
#1955388
11/21/15 03:40 PM
11/21/15 03:40 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,272
Northern Calyfornua
Sxrxrnr
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,272
Northern Calyfornua
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Disconnect ground cable whenever car will be parked for a week or more. Will improve battery longevity substantially. Not to mention decreased fire hazard. Even a clock, alarm system, radio memory, air ride suspension and general ECU parasitic draws can run a battery down. Miliamps do add up over time. The fewer discharge/recharge cycles the better for life expectancy.
I have a Ride Tech air ride system in a car which has a Optima yellow top battery. If I disconnect battery and check it 2 weeks later, still at 95 percent or better charge.
If I do not disconnect battery will be at less than 12 volts when measured, verses at 13 plus if disconnected. The Ride Tech ECU is an energy pig even with ignition switch turned off. Which suggests that a 1 month parking, car would likely fail to start.
Once a battery is completely discharged, even if you are able to recharge, it will never be the same. Most consumer battery chargers in fact will not be able to recharge the battery.
If you should experience this phenomon, there are methods to recover the battery. If interested enter a posting.
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: buildanother]
#1956081
11/22/15 09:10 PM
11/22/15 09:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 637
SoMd, USA
135sohc
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 637
SoMd, USA
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Last couple of chry products have had great luck with factory batteries, 10 years or more. That used to not happen years ago. Other than that, I have had good luck with Interstate and even Delco batts. Original battery in our 2002 Quad Cab I calculated had to be over 12 years old based upon the build date of the truck and the presumed time the battery was made before that when it got replaced earlier this year. Would love to know who made that one, I would buy another one. I don't expect the walmart everstart maxx will even come close to that lifespan.
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Sxrxrnr]
#1956096
11/22/15 09:32 PM
11/22/15 09:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,142
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
5thAve
Doesn't care what this says anyway
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Doesn't care what this says anyway
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,142
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
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I'm running a couple delcos, an International and a Ford battery all seem to be OK if you drive the cars regularely but two of the delcos go dead over time when you don't. Tough to beat price and warranty with Costco or Walmart. My record with either has been excellent over the years. Oft times I have seen Consumer Reports rate either highly,,,if this means anything to you.
I ran costco batteries in my daily drivers for several years and while the warranty was great every battery lasted about year before they had to be replaced. After a few years of that it wasn't worth the hassle anymore and I switched to other brands and haven't had the same problems since.
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