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New Battery experiences please share

Here is an interesting fact/method about recovering 10.5 volt or less AGM batteries in the link below. Time well spent in bad battery piles netted me many "prizes" of working Optima units that were just deeply discharged. Alternators are at risk attempting to charge a AGM battery this low and fried diodes usually result. Ask me how I know. (Alternators are cheaper than a tow!)

http://www.optimabatteries.com/product_support/resuscitating_agmbattery.php
 
Ratman said:
I haven't had the best success with the red top optima's either. I killed two of them in my old truck, -they warranted it once but said they wouldn't do it twice. I have had good luck with the Autozone batteries too, -but never tried 'em on the 6.5....

When I bought my 6.5 truck, -one battery took a dump, -and not wanting to mismatch, -I bought two AC Delco's, -granted, not cheap (around $130 each), -but have never looked back. I have not had one single battery-related incident for well over 3-1/2 years.

I was so impressed with the AC Delco batteries in the 6.5, I bought one for my 4.0L Jeep. It cranks that 4.0 over with authority, -and the alternator doesn't seem to work nearly as hard.

For whatever it's worth, the battery that came out of the Jeep was a 4 year battery that was well over 6 years old, -and deep-cycled several times. It was a branded battery (I believe it had a Kneckt's Auto Parts sticker on it) -likely made by Exide or Johnson Controls.

Sometimes the less expensive generic-branded lead-acid wet cell units work great.
Click to expand...


agreed, dad has a Federated branded battery that is dated 03 and still has some kick left in it. It came in on a combine he bought.
 
I contacted the local Interstate dealer on 191st street, thanks Mike.

Also placed a call to my local Wallyworld, the biggest CCA they offer is 650 for $77.

That 800cca duralast from Autozone is looking like a winner for $99.99 with core exchange. It has a 8 YR total warranty with a 3 year free replacement, remaining 5 yrs are prorated. 800 cold cranking Amps (1000 cranking Amps) 110 reserve minutes.

I will attempt to obtain a date code to determine manufacturer date of the ones I purchase, thanks for that tip.

Thanks to all for sharing yr thoughts & experiences...!!!
 
I run nothing but Interstate once I found out I can get the blems for $35.00 a piece. I believe they are 850CCA. I've gotten 5-6 years out each set I've purchased for my trucks. We also run these in all of our equipment with no problems.
 
In reading all these posts on here, I'm beside myself. No disrespect intended, but it seems that guys are generally happy if they get 2-3 years out of a battery. If I only got 2-3 or even 5 years out of a battery, I'd take it back to where I bought it and throw it through their window in broad daylight. The Interstate Megatron in my wife's Suburban was 8 or 9 years old when I replaced it and the ONLY reason I replaced it was because I believe a weak alternator took its toll on the battery. I replaced the alternator at the same time. The Interstate Megatrons in my truck were in my K1500 gasser before I brought them over to my diesel. They're from early '01. My truck hasn't been driven for two weeks, but if I go out on Monday morning when it is supposed to be in the single digits, it will fire without fail. The Interstate in our old Grand Prix was about 5 years old and is still going today.

I compared prices last summer to the Walmart brand for our newer Grand Prix (not because I was tempted to buy it, but just out of curiosity). The Interstate I bought was $80 with an 84 month warranty. The Walmart brand was $84 with a 3 year maybe? I could really care less about the warranty when it comes to an Interstate, though. I know they last and don't fail me or my wife. I even had a used Interstate I took from a core deposit pile at a parts store I worked at in high school and ran it for about 3 years before I replaced it.

I'm not associated with Interstate in any way, but am just a believer in their products. In my opinion, there is NO other battery manufacturer.
 
I have two of the best Duralast Gold batteries from auto-zone. I paid 89 each, they were on sale. They also come with a card, the first so many years you get stranded with a dead battery you call and they will jump you. I had them in previous trucks and they lasted a long time. These two in my truck right now wing it over even on the coldest days. Highly reccomended!!!!!
 
SnowDrift said:
In reading all these posts on here, I'm beside myself. No disrespect intended, but it seems that guys are generally happy if they get 2-3 years out of a battery. If I only got 2-3 or even 5 years out of a battery, I'd take it back to where I bought it and throw it through their window in broad daylight. The Interstate Megatron in my wife's Suburban was 8 or 9 years old when I replaced it and the ONLY reason I replaced it was because I believe a weak alternator took its toll on the battery. I replaced the alternator at the same time. The Interstate Megatrons in my truck were in my K1500 gasser before I brought them over to my diesel. They're from early '01. My truck hasn't been driven for two weeks, but if I go out on Monday morning when it is supposed to be in the single digits, it will fire without fail. The Interstate in our old Grand Prix was about 5 years old and is still going today.

I compared prices last summer to the Walmart brand for our newer Grand Prix (not because I was tempted to buy it, but just out of curiosity). The Interstate I bought was $80 with an 84 month warranty. The Walmart brand was $84 with a 3 year maybe? I could really care less about the warranty when it comes to an Interstate, though. I know they last and don't fail me or my wife. I even had a used Interstate I took from a core deposit pile at a parts store I worked at in high school and ran it for about 3 years before I replaced it.

I'm not associated with Interstate in any way, but am just a believer in their products. In my opinion, there is NO other battery manufacturer.
Click to expand...

usually get 6-7 yrs out of a good batt. Probably less than you because of the temp extremes
 
pitsingerk said:
I run nothing but Interstate once I found out I can get the blems for $35.00 a piece. I believe they are 850CCA. I've gotten 5-6 years out each set I've purchased for my trucks. We also run these in all of our equipment with no problems.
Click to expand...

I did not ask about the blems yesterday, the Interstate dealer here in Mokena has 2 Interstate megrtrons for $75 exchange with a 1yr replacement...that is gonna be the ticket. Can't beat that price.

I give a shout back after a while let you all know how they work out for me...

Thanks again everyone!
 
Well me being anal & the way I am...went to the Interstate dealer today to get the batteries & the gent came out with 2 different color interstate batteries, one was from 2009 & the other one was dated 2008, I said no thanks.

Went to Autozone & purchased 2 Duralast golds dated Nov 2010 for 99.99 a piece exchange...installed them right after, cleaned wire brushed & painted the battery cases in the truck, did the battery bolt upgrades & sprayed down the terminals with sealer. We'll see how it goes.

Many thanks to all & Happy Holidays Everyone
 
I disagree. I have had nothing but problems with INterstates. I always put them right up there with Group 7 Oil Filters. Just cheap crap that gas stations peddled.Plain old Sears Die Hards are the best bang for the buck and never any issue returning them if a problem. Anything I iever bought with Interstates needed new batts very soon. The Interstates in my Old Tahoe were onle a year old and they both would no longer hold a charge and even when they did the truck never sounded right. Two new Die easys and the truck sounded 10x Better. The real challenge will come when my CUCV needs them. I have no idea where to get those. It still has the OEM 24yr old Batts in it and they work great. Talk about a good battery. I know that sounds crazy but they are the big green ones and the Municipality that I bought it from said there records showed they batts were never changed and they got the truck about 3 yrs old.
Most batteries are all made by the same companies anyway. IIRC there are only like 3 companies that actually make them.
 
Kenny i believe those are group 31 batteries. There's a place here that carries them, but they are Interstate commercials and i know how much you love Interstate batteries. They carry all the batteries for the local construction companies and fire departments as well. They have a great track record because they test every battery before selling it. If it's questionable they won't sell it to you.
 
ak diesel driver said:
usually get 6-7 yrs out of a good batt. Probably less than you because of the temp extremes
Click to expand...

I have lived in places where 6-7 years is normal. I have lived in places where Optima's outlast flooded cell technology. I now live in a place where almost nothing survives very long.

A battery is filled with corrosive acid. The lead plates are fragile. Deep discharging also causes damage (limits life) even in deep cycle cells. So heat makes the acid more reactive and high heat tends to evaporate the water out of them. Sulfation (wiring/alt/ lack of use problems) also kills the battery: in fact you can see this sometimes by looking as a swollen/bulging case sides of the battery. Vibration causes the fragile lead to separate and fall to the bottom of the cell. Any rough roads in your area? :skep: This is assuming the seals around the posts are able to survive and the battery case doesn't crack. (Failed seals or a crack will even make an AGM Optima leak. "Spillproof" is not 'leakproof'.) High heat ages the plastic and that will get you if the rest of the battery manages to make it somehow by adding lots of water etc.

Extreme heat shortens the life of the battery. Not only does high outside temps reduce the life, but the "AC" being turned on adds to under hood heat and even hotter under hood temps result from the cooling fan having to run. Rather than cooler no fan as airflow cools things enough and the air never gets to the fan kick on temps.

Putting batteries in the fridge for longer shelf life works.

Running a battery in the dessert means you are lucky to get over 2 years out of it. 3 year warranties mean you never buy a battery again - just exchange it every 2 years.

The passenger side battery on the 2008 Duramax is known to fail first due to the higher temps when towing. (And fan rotation throwing more heat there.) 88K and 1.5 years cooked my factory battery and it ran all over the entire USA and Canada. Some Duramax engines are known to be chronic over heaters: 'Ever seen washer fluid boil in the under hood bottle?' The battery is in the same high temp air...

Easy temperature conditions in mild climates, easy starting short crank time engine, constant use to prevent sulfation, never leaving the lights on, and low vibration give you long life. A cell can still short on you. But any other harsher conditions will shorten the life of a battery.

Extreme cold adds another issue of greater load to turn cold oil, more crank time needed, and less power from the cold battery. Freezing of the battery is also a factor...
 
When i first went to look at my duralasts they has one from 2008, and one from 2009 just like you were saying luckily, i found another hiding on the shelf for 2009. score.
 
Pepperidge said:
"Hint" : At Autozone if they are that old, they are supposed to sell them as "used" for $34.99
Click to expand...

That would have been awesome, but i still wouldnt like the idea of two very different aged batteries in the same truck. if it was a single i would have no problem with it.
 
WarWagon said:
I have lived in places where 6-7 years is normal. I have lived in places where Optima's outlast flooded cell technology. I now live in a place where almost nothing survives very long.

A battery is filled with corrosive acid. The lead plates are fragile. Deep discharging also causes damage (limits life) even in deep cycle cells. So heat makes the acid more reactive and high heat tends to evaporate the water out of them. Sulfation (wiring/alt/ lack of use problems) also kills the battery: in fact you can see this sometimes by looking as a swollen/bulging case sides of the battery. Vibration causes the fragile lead to separate and fall to the bottom of the cell. Any rough roads in your area? :skep: This is assuming the seals around the posts are able to survive and the battery case doesn't crack. (Failed seals or a crack will even make an AGM Optima leak. "Spillproof" is not 'leakproof'.) High heat ages the plastic and that will get you if the rest of the battery manages to make it somehow by adding lots of water etc.

Extreme heat shortens the life of the battery. Not only does high outside temps reduce the life, but the "AC" being turned on adds to under hood heat and even hotter under hood temps result from the cooling fan having to run. Rather than cooler no fan as airflow cools things enough and the air never gets to the fan kick on temps.

Putting batteries in the fridge for longer shelf life works.

Running a battery in the dessert means you are lucky to get over 2 years out of it. 3 year warranties mean you never buy a battery again - just exchange it every 2 years.

The passenger side battery on the 2008 Duramax is known to fail first due to the higher temps when towing. (And fan rotation throwing more heat there.) 88K and 1.5 years cooked my factory battery and it ran all over the entire USA and Canada. Some Duramax engines are known to be chronic over heaters: 'Ever seen washer fluid boil in the under hood bottle?' The battery is in the same high temp air...

Easy temperature conditions in mild climates, easy starting short crank time engine, constant use to prevent sulfation, never leaving the lights on, and low vibration give you long life. A cell can still short on you. But any other harsher conditions will shorten the life of a battery.

Extreme cold adds another issue of greater load to turn cold oil, more crank time needed, and less power from the cold battery. Freezing of the battery is also a factor...
Click to expand...


Very well said, -and I couldn't agree more. It always seems like as soon as the summer heat come around, -batteries that are on their last leg seem to give up the ghost. Same with deep cycling or not being used (a rig that sits and is used infrequently). I also killed batteries more frequently in my wheelin'-rigs where we were running washboard roads and stuff and they were subjected to lots of vibration. I know that on the Delcos I have, the plates are VERY close together, -giving it the punch that it has, -but I also realize that is won't be very tolerant in a vibration environment (since they are borderline fragile in that regard).
 
I've been running Nascar Select from Napa and have had a lot of bad ones.

I have a friend that uses the cheapest batteries he can find iwth the high cranking amps and consistently gets 5 years out of them.

I'm done with the Nascar Selects. I might try Mike's Interstate place for a seconds battery next time.

When I worked at Exide many years ago they would put many different stickers on the exact same batteries. The only difference on some of the multi-year batteries was the stciker and the price - you had to pay extra for the warranty but the battery was no different. And then they made batteries that were lighter duty that were cheaper. You had to have an inside guy or scale to know which was which. The good batteries were heavier.

I always sprinkle a little baking soda on the battery tray after I never-seez the hold down bolt.
 
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