Question: Favorite Battery <$100
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by randy814u
Interstate is a yes, and optima is a whole different animal. Even though our company makes the optima, we do not make them at our plant. I can't even get a employee discount on the optima, even though they go through our shipping dept,,, 
randy
randy
Ok, whats the scoop on all these so called "deep cycle" and marine batteries and the ones that claim much higher CCA's?? I wanna learn from a good source who makes them.
Thanks,
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 2
From: Salem Oregon
The difference is the type of plate inside, as far as size, type of oxide paste in the plates, lead content in the grid, etc. . Thats why it is important to buy a battery that fits your needs,
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 2
From: Champaign, IL
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by randy814u
The difference is the type of plate inside, as far as size, type of oxide paste in the plates, lead content in the grid, etc. . Thats why it is important to buy a battery that fits your needs,
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,682
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
quote:
I can't even get a employee discount on the optima, even though they go through our shipping dept,,,
randy
Why would you want an optima anyways? They are a $h1t battery. I had 2 new ones malfunction on me after less than a week.
I went with Sears Die Hard Gold. Dont let people bash Sears Die Hard Gold....a couple years ago they were made by Exide and apparently they went to crap.
app. 3 years ago sears switched back to Johnson Controls.
Johnson Controls makes Interstate batteries too (i think they might make Autozones batteries).
They make great batteries.
I can't even get a employee discount on the optima, even though they go through our shipping dept,,,
randy
Why would you want an optima anyways? They are a $h1t battery. I had 2 new ones malfunction on me after less than a week.
I went with Sears Die Hard Gold. Dont let people bash Sears Die Hard Gold....a couple years ago they were made by Exide and apparently they went to crap.
app. 3 years ago sears switched back to Johnson Controls.
Johnson Controls makes Interstate batteries too (i think they might make Autozones batteries).
They make great batteries.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 4
From: Tracy CA
Great posts everyone! I pulled out a 3 year old Kragen NASCAR battery. Since I wasn't the original purchaser - they wouldn't give me any credit.
So, I didn't buy the next one from them!!! I went cheap - bought the 29.97 everstart from Walmart.
The fitment was perfect and after 12 hours it still works.
So, we'll see how long it lasts.
Cleaned up the battery tray with baking soda - lots of bubbles. Then rinsed the whole thing off before I put in the new one.
So, I didn't buy the next one from them!!! I went cheap - bought the 29.97 everstart from Walmart.
The fitment was perfect and after 12 hours it still works.
So, we'll see how long it lasts.
Cleaned up the battery tray with baking soda - lots of bubbles. Then rinsed the whole thing off before I put in the new one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
I've never bought a Kragen battery that didn't leak and one ruined the paint along with the tray (not on the Vette thank goodness!). I made a claim and note that they've changed manufacturers/brands recently. Never spent over $100 for a Delco. They have taken out the "green eye" in the last year, so for those who will be seeking an NCRS award, probably best to try and find one now and figure out someway to keep it fresh for the next 20 years.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by dizwiz24
3 years ago sears switched back to Johnson Controls.Johnson Controls makes Interstate batteries too (i think they might make Autozones batteries).They make great batteries.
Larry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 941
Likes: 0
From: Where's Lunch?
Originally Posted by kwik_ta
Seriously though... I use nothing but Walmart Everstarts. They have the same warranty as the Optima batteries at a third of the cost. They are much easier to deal with than any other company too.
I had a sears battery in a previous car. It took a crap on me and sears wouldn't replace it because of my 'high power' 100 watt aftermarket stereo!!!
I had a Walmart battery take a crap and somehow ruined my ignition... Walmart gave me a new battery and the corporate office reimbursed me for the new MSD box and wires!!! It was over $400 in items I replaces and some of them just because... but Walmart paid for it all!!!
You can't beat that service!!!
Glad to hear somebody else thinks like me! I have WalMart Everstarts in all my cars too. I'm not surprised to hear that many batteries have the same guts, but not the same price.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 2
From: Salem Oregon
Kragen , schucks, napa, most parts stores are exide. We got the sears account back a few years ago because exide batteries had to high of a return rate. Bad news for us was we had to agree to replace any returns from exide. oh yeah, we took a lot of their batteries back. Our plant in oregon has the lowest return rate of all of jci, under 1 percent.
Personally, I run all brands in my cars, interstate, walmart, sears, etc.
I get one free blem a year, so I replace one a year, and have never had a dead battery. Thank god the rest cost me 20 bucks, the boat has 6 batteries,,,whew
Personally, I run all brands in my cars, interstate, walmart, sears, etc.
I get one free blem a year, so I replace one a year, and have never had a dead battery. Thank god the rest cost me 20 bucks, the boat has 6 batteries,,,whew
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 1
From: NY
I don't see too many responses about the A/C Delco batteries. Four years ago the battery in the vette crapped out and I purchased the "correct replacement" (original no longer made) A/C Delco battery. I did this because I show the car and wanted an A/C Delco battery under the hood. I just did not care for the price tag...4 years ago I believe the cost was over $80.00.
I've had no problems with it, but do keep it on a trickle charger when the car sits.
Any comments on these batteries?
I've had no problems with it, but do keep it on a trickle charger when the car sits.
Any comments on these batteries?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by rubyred93
I don't see too many responses about the A/C Delco batteries. Any comments on these batteries?
I read that this is a common problem with this battery. I replaced it with a Duralast gold.
