Battery brands

[Ryannn]

Another option you may or may not have is a reconditioned battery. The Autozone here reconditions them and sells them for 25 dollars - and they guarantee it for one year. I don't think all Autozone's do that though.

Interstates around the country recondition used batteries, (very ridiculous process at work) and ours come with a warranty also.

on another note I sound like a salesmen.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Interstates around the country recondition used batteries, (very ridiculous process at work) and ours come with a warranty also.

on another note I sound like a salesmen.

They also have the "Econo" batteries, explained to me by our rep as batteries that exceeded their shelf life. I have one in the Ranger.

 

[509lifted]

i have a duralast that i bought almost a year ago, had problems with it just a few months ago turns out that my alternator wasnt big enough to charge it while my sound system was on, but now that its in my expo i can leave my system on for an hour turned up to 40 and not worry about having to push start or jump start it, but i will recommend getting the added warranty plan, its only 15 dollars more but it is good for two years after the factory warranty.

 

[shane96ranger]

Interstates around the country recondition used batteries, (very ridiculous process at work) and ours come with a warranty also.

on another note I sound like a salesmen.

Don't get me wrong, I like Interstate Batteries. But they are generally the highest price (by a large margin) when I've called.

The other thing I just noticed.... you said Interstate makes Kirkland batteries. Costco (at least the Costcos here do) will tell you who makes their Kirkland products if you ask. I asked, and I saw his computer said Eveready made it. I'm pretty sure it's a 65 series as well. I believe someone else.... Panama I think... said that as well.

I'm not a big fan of Duralast batteries. But Costco doesn't carry the size for the Ford Escape - so I went to Autozone. The battery was a 2 year free replacement.... and the bastard took a dump at 29 months. So I had to pay another 20 bucks for a new battery. They allowed me to renew my warranty if I upgraded to the Duralast Gold (which was a whopping 2 more dollars) so I did it. Now it has a 3 year free replacement.

 

[killj0y]

Biggest issue is lead acid batteries have reached the top of their technology and probably won't get much better. Johnson Controls makes Duralast, Diehard, Autocraft, most Interstates and a few others. Cranking AMPS are very important but the industry is starting to think reserve capacity may be more important. A battery with 800 CCA's with reserve minutes under 100 may not be as good in the long run as one with 650 CCA's and 120 minutes.

Until the market comes up with a lithium or other tech that will give us the perfect battery the best options are independent testing, reviews by consumers not the manufacturers and AGM batteries.

I know a lot of people have a love / hate with Optima batteries but I have owned 5 over the years and never had an issue. The one I'm shooting for next time is the Odyssey Batteries. 99% pure lead (not lead alloy) and more plates. High CCA's and high reserve. Not cheap by any means but the best costs money.

There is lithium car batteries in the market already. I've been considering picking up 2 or 3 and wiring them in series since they are smaller. Imagine the power of three or more batteries in the same space! :thumbup:

 

[killj0y]

The price leaves a little something to be desired though they run from 400 to over 1000! Boo especially since it seems the reserve sucks. Dunno if it would be significantly better if you had 3 or so.

 

[robertc1024]

Interesting information. I've got a Duralast that just died on me. I got it a little over three years ago when I got my Ranger. Down here in the heat, that's about par for the course with cheapo batteries.

 

[daniel3507]

...I know a lot of people have a love / hate with Optima batteries but I have owned 5 over the years and never had an issue. The one I'm shooting for next time is the Odyssey Batteries. 99% pure lead (not lead alloy) and more plates. High CCA's and high reserve. Not cheap by any means but the best costs money.

The old Optima batteries are good. The new ones suck. Back when I worked at Interstate we warrantied so many of them we started talking people out of them. I wouldn't waste money on an optima. Save your money and pass on the Odyssey too. DieHard Platinum is the same battery other than the shell. I have one in the truck and it is awesome. Pricey at a little over $200 but it's powerful with a long warranty. I'll buy another for sure.


Sent from the think n' stink.

 

[killj0y]

I started a battery thread not to long ago and I mentioned hearing that optima want bring regarded as a top notch brand anymore. Surprisingly an optima rep chimed in. Weird

 

[dschneider]

i just bought a battery for my ranger (didnt have one when i bought it) and went with a prostart from pepboys, you can go to thier webpage and print out a coupon for $20 off $100 to save a few bucks.

 

[Ryannn]

They also have the "Econo" batteries, explained to me by our rep as batteries that exceeded their shelf life. I have one in the Ranger.

Thats a takeout. Not an Econo. An Econo is a used battery. A takeout battery is a battery that has sat on a shelf for 15 months, and is taken out of Interstates inventory and sold for right above cost.