Are all "Batterries" equal? I need to purchase one...

[70cst]

My NAPA battery has a dead cell...its not that old and hasn't been used that much. Can't find the receipt. So I need a new one. Are all batteries of equal quality or are some batterries better? I await your answers. Thanks.

[Tim Christian]

I have always had best luck with Inerstate battery

[chisler]

I have a dual battery set up on my 72 chev k10 they are of the dry cell type the brand name is OPTIMA , a very good battery and you will not have any problems with acid fluid eating up the batt tray and lower inner fender/rad support due to leakage, this is my choice a bit more money but will worth it

[camjck89]

i run optima batteries there more expensive but last 2-3x normal lead in acid batteries. plus they usually have more cold cranking amps.

[tomtuna1978]

X2 on the interstate

[cdowns]

have run diehard from sears for almost 50years with no unforseen problems and good lifespans

[Codypaul]

check out the x2 series at your local batteries plus. Optima's quality has gone down since production was moved to mexico. always had great luck and they are about $40 cheaper. Its the same agm technology that optima uses.

[JOHNORO]

I have purchased almost every battery mention
on my blazer I have a red top optima
works great but at work (and we buy $6000.00 worth every year)
I can tell you from our experience DEKA batteries work great!
made in the U.S.A better quality than interstate,napa,sears

[Codypaul]

Originally Posted by JOHNORO

I have purchased almost every battery mention
on my blazer I have a red top optima
works great but at work (and we buy $6000.00 worth every year)
I can tell you from our experience DEKA batteries work great!
made in the U.S.A better quality than interstate,napa,sears

the x2 i mentioned in the post above is made by East Penn who also manufactures DEKA batteries.

[michael bustamante]

I would thank that Napa can pull up a warranty for you by sale date on the battery itself, Ive run die hard golds and no problems

[junkyardjohn]

IF YOU HAVE A NAPA BATTERY THAT IS INDEED NOT VERY OLD, & DIED ON YOU & CAN'T FIND THE RECIEPT... TAKE IT BACK TO NAPA ANYWAY. ALL BATTERYS MADE IN THE LAST 50 OR SO YEARS ARE DATE CODED. NOW IT'S THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE VERSUS THE DATE THAT YOU ACTUALLY BOUGHT IT, BUT SHOULD BE WITHIN A FEW MONTHS ANYWAY. I CAN JUST ABOUT GARRENTEE THAT IT DIDN'T SET AROUND WAITING TO BE SOLD FOR YEARS. I'VE HAD REALLY GOOD LUCK WITH NAPA (NO I DON'T OWN ANY NAPA STOCK OR ANYTHING) & THEY USSUALLY STAND BEHIND EVERYTHING THEY SELL. THEY AREN'T THE ABSOLUTE CHEAPEST ON EVERYTHING (THEY NEVER CLAIM TO BE.. THEY'RE JUST NOT THAT KINDA STORE) BUT ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THEY HAVE BEEN HANDS DOWN THE MOST KNOWLEGABLE & HELPFUL COUNTER PEOPLE IN THE PARTS BUSINESS I'VE DEALT WITH. (THEY MUST PAY THEIR HELP A LITTLE BETTER OR SOMETHING) I TRY TO BUY ALL MY HARD PARTS FROM THEM. I DON'T MIND BUYING OIL OR TRANNY FLUID OR EVEN BRAND NAME STUFF LIKE LUCAS ADDITIVES FROM WALLY WORLD OR SOME OF THE BIG CHAIN OR GENIRIC PARTS STORES, BUT IF I NEED ADVICE OR A GOOD QUALITY PART, I ALWAYS TRY TO GO TO NAPA. (I'VE HAD REALLY GOOD LUCK WITH THE WALLY WORLD EVERSTART BATTERIES) JOHN

[JOHNORO]

Like codypaul mentions
a lot of manufacturers make batteries and stick on
stickers from vendors that sell them retail if Napa
wont help ,get a DEKA

Buy American the job you save may be your own.

[70cst]

Thanks for all the feed back... Like an air head the NAPA battery is still in the truck and the truck is sitting about 90 miles from home.

I was not a happy camper yesterday as I found out the "new" master cylinder that I purchased from Rock Auto about six months ago was defective plus the spark plug wire set I bought off this board about 6 months ago was made for a "Ford" and not GM. The end caps were wrong.

As said I appreciate all ypur input as I will need to purchase a battery next Monday. Did I say anything about the tires?

FYI...

The majority of car batteries are created by 3 manufacturers - JCI, East Penn, Exide and Johnson Controls Industries (they bought out Delphi). Delphi makes some EverStart models sold in Walmart and ACDelco. Johnson Control Industries makes Duralast seen in Autozone stores, Diehard - sold in Sears, Kirkland - the Costco brand, Motorcraft - which Ford sells, some of the EverStarts, and Interstate. Exide makes Exide batteries, Champion, Napa and even a % of the EverStart batteries. A car battery is one of the few things that you will most likely have to replace if you own a car more than about 3 years. Most other parts and accessories will last longer, but the battery in a car needs replacing every 3 years or so. If you need to get a new battery installed, go to Goodyear, Sears, Firestone or Pep Boys. All these car stores carry large inventories and can install your battery onsite. Other retailers like Target, Kmart, and Walmart might offer cheaper prices for their batteries, but rarely do they install them.

[mdwilf]

Interstate are the best - I just replaced the [B]14 YEAR OLD [B] one in one of my trucks.

Walmart batteries are total trash - I can't count the times I've lifted a hood, saw a Walmart battery & said without any further testing "There's your problem - trust me - get a better battery" and been proven right. Auto Zone batteries aren't too much better.

[Newtz67]

I have had the best luck with Optima.

[So.Cal.Super]

Last year I had to update all my MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) at work for all of our Batteries on site. What I found out is there are 3 Lead acid Battery Manufactures in the US that produce all the batteries and just sticker them as per who orders them (and colors the plastic per each sellers spec)
*Just read were you quoted this already*

I know when I worked for a small shop in South FL we would remove the interstate stickers and place ours on them for advertising. (Actually the interstate rep did this when he delivered them)

I have run optima since they first hit the market in the 90's and love them. All my off-road toys have had them because of the abuse they need to take. The only problem I have had is if the red ones are deep cycled to many times or the deep cycles stay dead too long. As with any battery if you’re going to store it. Put a battery maintainer on it. It is a small investment to keep your battery at 100% performance.

The only non optima I run currently is in the wife’s truck and I had my local shop put in an interstate because that's what he carries. It has/is working well.

Just remember no matter who makes it Avg Battery life is 3-5 years. The better you maintain it (keep it fully charged) the less Sulfur build up on the plates (lead acid) you get which extends the life. My brother once got almost 8 years out of a battery... I don't have that luck.

Oh and the optima has a 3 year free replacement. My horn shorted out while I was on vacation last year and my battery was gone when I got back 2 weeks later. It wouldn't take a charge but I got a brand new one since it was 2.5 years old for free. Killed that one in a week (found the short) now I am on my third and good to go.

Hope that helps.

[Sinister]

I've had good luck with Sears Diehard batteries. Have an Interstate in the truck now that was there when I got the truck 5 years ago, still going strong.

[Classic Heartbeat]

I have had good luck with Sears Die Hards also. Optimas... Not so much. A/C Delcos are good too. I have several of those on the shelf too if you want me to send you one.. You knew I had to say that DeWayne.. WES

[70cst]

Again thanks as this is good info...great reading.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

Interstate.

Don't waste your money on anything else. I just replaced the interstate battery in my tractor, I only got 12 years out of it.

[rusty baker]

I have an Autozone battery in my PU, Been in there about 10 years. Only drive it 25-30 miles a year. Guess I violate all the rules.

[big mike71]

Go back to Napa they probably have you in the computer from when you bought it and they might make it right.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

I have had good luck with Sears Die Hards also. Optimas... Not so much. A/C Delcos are good too. I have several of those on the shelf too if you want me to send you one.. You knew I had to say that DeWayne.. WES

Does it come with another hot dog?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I have killed all 3 optimas I have owned and my sears diehards rock man ill never use anything other than sears...

[Hubscrub]

i have dekas in all my cars,trucks now and no complaints, only batt. i will never buy again is a interstate the two i had were not so hot