Need info on batteries

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Sep 1, 2014 | 07:41 AM

pentago

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Need info on batteries

Hey guys, what's your first stop when changing batteries?

I 've been pointed to EveryBattery but I'm not sure they cover trucks.

I used their July promo code to get new 550 CCA NP85R500, would be great if somebody could give me some pointers and suggestions on vendor.

Cheers

Sep 1, 2014 | 08:34 AM

BPofMD

FTE Remembers

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: Millersville, MD

Don't know where you are, but we in the Baltimore area have a local place call Battery Warehouse that I use exclusively.

Sep 1, 2014 | 05:07 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

I needed two large expensive batteries for my diesel. I did the unthinkable, and got them from Walmart. They are doing very well so far.

Sep 1, 2014 | 05:29 PM

Tony_TAT2

Posting Guru

Joined: Aug 2014

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From: S-NJ

Last 4 I bought were from Sam's club.
Theres a month & year sticker on em when thay were made.
Plus you can pick out the one ya want.

Sep 1, 2014 | 07:52 PM

fmc400

MSEE

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 10,386

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From: Austin, TX

I get all my batteries from O'Reilly's. No complaints.

Sep 1, 2014 | 08:30 PM

kendall66

5th Wheeling

Joined: Sep 2011

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From: northwest iowa

anyone know who makes the motorcraft battery? I know its a ford name, but do they actually manufacture it.......... I been running on the original motorcraft battery in my truck for 11 years. good stuff

Sep 2, 2014 | 05:49 AM

Franklin2

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Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 57,027

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From: Virginia

I have read somewhere there are only something like 3 manufacturers of all automotive batteries. I think one of them was Johnson Controls, I can't remember what the other ones were.(was it Exide?)

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Sep 20, 2014 | 09:28 AM

turbogus

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Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 996

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From: Albany, Good Ol' USA

I remember the Sam's Club (out west we call 'em Costco) batteries were once made by Johnson Controls, I think they make those gel cell batteries too. Recently talking to the tire shop (and batteries) the guy said they were now made by someone other. I've had real good luck until lately but will post my trouble in another thread.

Sep 20, 2014 | 04:52 PM

#10

Rovernut

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Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 1,100

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From: Georgia

Stores can have their batteries made by more than one mfg. Sears does this.
Regular Diehard - Made by JCI (I think that's who it is)
Gold Diehard - Made by East Penn
Platinum Diehard - (re-badged Odyssey) Enersys

Sep 20, 2014 | 10:28 PM

#11

Funke1

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Joined: Mar 2014

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What is it about optima batteries that is not good? I thought they were the best?

Sep 21, 2014 | 04:02 AM

#12

Rovernut

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Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 1,100

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From: Georgia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funke1

What is it about optima batteries that is not good? I thought they were the best?

Optima had a very good reputation, but then they got bought by JCI and shortly thereafter production was moved to Mexico. There started appearing a lot of early failure reports on car and truck forums. Based on all the threads I've seen around about "crappy Optima" I'm guessing they are getting by on name recognition now.

FWIW, when I was looking for that type of battery back in 2001 I did some comparison and bought an Exide spiral cell. It had better specs, better warranty and the local NAPA store matched the Optima price at Autozone, which was slightly lower.