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Replacement Batteries

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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 04:44 PM
  #1  
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Replacement Batteries

Folks,

I'm looking for opinions, observations and experience you may have had with replacement batteries. So far I've gotten about 6 years out of my original battery, but I figure it's time to keep an eye out on replacements. What are you experiences when it comes to quality, life expectancy etc?

Thanks!
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 05:30 PM
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Optima Red Tops...expensive, but very nice and quality build batteries.
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 05:55 PM
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My 2002 Expedition is still on its original battery. There is a recent post in the Electrical forum about Motorcraft batteries you may find interesting. When the time comes, I'm going to replace mine with another Motorcraft unit. Otherwise, I'd look at Interstate. Motorcraft & Interstate are manufactured by the same company.
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 06:12 PM
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Interstate batteries are my recommendation also. But as ExpySport said, both are manufactured by the same company so I'd go with the cheaper of the two. With that being said, I bought the biggest Interstate battery possible for mine and it's an 85 month battery rated as 875 CCA.
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 97ExpGuy
Interstate batteries are my recommendation also. But as ExpySport said, both are manufactured by the same company so I'd go with the cheaper of the two. With that being said, I bought the biggest Interstate battery possible for mine and it's an 85 month battery rated as 875 CCA.
That's definitely one of the considerations to look at. I looked at the specs on the top of the line replacement Motorcraft battery. While it has 100 less CCA, it does have a 100 month warranty. Interstate: 875 CCA, 85 month warranty, MC: 750 CCA, 100 month warranty. If you live in the cold climates where you'd need all the CCA you can get in the winter, I'd say go with the Interstate. Otherwise, it's a toss-up. All depends on if you want better CCA or better warranty.
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 09:10 PM
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I'm not a big Optima fan, after having a red top in my Jeep. What I have put in a bunch of trucks and cars is the Costco Kirkland brand. This is one of those rare cases where the house brand is better than most you can get.

When Costco decides to put their brand on something, they find a benchmark and then beats it's specs. I think the top-of-the-line Gold DieHard was the benchmark for the Kirkland battery.

I have yet to replace one, so I can't tell you how long they last... I will say my Optima lasted 3 years w/o any winching....

and no, I have no affiliation with Costco....
 
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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 09:51 PM
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I have 5 cars with Die Hard Gold and have good success. I think one reason is that sears batterys I think are fresher than some since more people go to sears for battery's. The batterys mentioned are just as good so it boils down to what you feel good about. If the battery has dust on it walk from it.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 05:32 AM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by Omahastro1
I have 5 cars with Die Hard Gold and have good success. I think one reason is that sears batterys I think are fresher than some since more people go to sears for battery's. The batterys mentioned are just as good so it boils down to what you feel good about. If the battery has dust on it walk from it.
I've had good results with DieHards in the past, as well. Johnson Controls manufacturers the batteries for Motorcraft, Interstate and the older DieHards. The newer DieHards are made by Delco. Probably a big contributing factor as to why DieHards are a decent battery, too!
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 10:05 AM
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Go with a Costco (Kirkland Signature) battery - I believe it's made by Johnson Controls. It comes with a 3 year full value replacement and 100 month pro-rated warranty. Just keep the receipt in your glove compartment to make sure they credit you at the price you paid. I just returned a battery I bought from them 5 years ago and was refunded the difference. I got a new heavy duty battery (size 4 for the Expy - 850CA) from them for around $35. It's the best deal you're going to find. The cold weather here is brutal on batteries - nice to know you can get a new one for peanuts when it dies.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 11:01 AM
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heck walmart has a 3 year free replacement and a 108 month pro rate(9 year).i am not a fan of the red top optima but the yellow top is a pretty good battery.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2009 | 08:04 PM
  #11  
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Optima Yellow Top. I went with the deep cycle because I regularly drain the battery while camping (gotta have my music). These can take a lot of abuse. Normal batteries will loose about 5% of their capacity each time they're drained completely. I just like a battery I don't have to worry about.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2009 | 05:30 PM
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Besides the Optimas, your lead-acid batteries are pretty much the same.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2009 | 05:36 PM
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I don't remember where I read it, but several years ago the key to battery success was Johnson Controls. At the time I think they made Die Hard, Motrocraft and maybe Autozone. Autozone at least from the design. Don't know about today.

Thanks

Mike
 
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Old Mar 13, 2009 | 12:47 PM
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Thanks for all the responses! I was considering getting a battery from Costco. I've bought them before for other vehicles and I haven't had any issue with them. But the other vehicles I got them for don't get the use and demand like my Expy.

One additional thought, has anyone had experience with Odyssey batteries?
 
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