Battery Choices?????

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Mar 29, 2010 | 11:15 PM

420CREW

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 360

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From: GRAND RAPIDS

Battery Choices?????

Well it is time to replace my Battery in the truck. I have been looking at the optima yellow tops and trying to decide which one to get it seems there are quite a few that will fit. What are you running in yours and how has it held up?

I have 4 offroad lights, And some stereo equipment in the truck.

I need some recommendations. If you have found something better than the optimas let me know.

Mar 30, 2010 | 12:11 AM

jlmotox

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 620

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From: Canyon Country

I went with 2 Duralast gold (yellow top) I have had them about a year now and no problems...if I remember they were about $100ea. I was going to get the optima batteries but couldn't justify the extra $$.

Mar 30, 2010 | 05:49 AM

juneau76

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 3,049

Likes: 1

I have the Die Hard Platinums. They were pricey, but they have a good warranty and they're AGM.

Mar 30, 2010 | 09:17 AM

DAVE67FD

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,433

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From: NH

I Buy the Walmart branded Everstart Maxx. It has worked well for me and has a 3 or 4 year free replacement.
Pulled this info from the web:

Battery Review, Walmart Everstart Maxx 65N; 850 CCA, 1000 CA (manufactured by Johnson Controls)

mfg. by Johnson Controls & produces this EXACT SAME battery (CCA, etc.) for many auto makers and retailers under different product names such as:
Motorcraft� silver BXT-65-850; ~$100.00 to $120.00 Plus $104.95 + tax, etc. at your local friendly Ford dealer
Sears Die Hard Gold 33065 $105. +
Auto Zone (Duralast Gold)
Eveready
Everstart
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus $104.95 + tax, etc.
Toyota (TrueStart)
Mitsubishi (Diamond Car Care)
Mazda
Advance Auto (Autocraft Titanium)
Costco (Kirkland Signature)
Pep Boys (ProStart & Energizer)

btw, Johnson also mfg. Optima brand

Mar 30, 2010 | 09:55 AM

crabhab

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 432

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From: Bishopville, MD

I have used Interstate brand batteries in both my personal vehicles and installed them in our work trucks. The seem to last longer than Autozone, Walmart, and other generic batteries.

Mar 30, 2010 | 10:28 AM

Big_Al59

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 1,115

Likes: 13

From: west plains spokane,wa

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAVE67FD

x2
I have had good luck with the wally world batteries. There is only a couple companies that make batteries, same batteries just different labels. Also there are some pretty lengthy threads on this same subject if you wanted to search.

Mar 30, 2010 | 11:17 AM

bbender85

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 4,859

Likes: 55

From: Middleville, MI

my optima red top lasted <2 years.

went with a duralast gold and it is holding up well. great warranty too.

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Mar 30, 2010 | 12:29 PM

RickF350

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 407

Likes: 1

From: Richland, WA

I've had good luck with Costco batteries. Three year free replacement and excellent customer service.

Apr 14, 2010 | 12:27 AM

#10

bondobob65

Freshman User

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 30

Likes: 0

From: BAKO

I still have the OEM Motorcraft Batteries in the 2001. I religiously use a battery tender if it will be parked for more than 2 days. When I replace them I will go Costco or Wally world just depends on who has the best deal... In the past I have had great lluck with Costco batteries.

Apr 14, 2010 | 12:07 PM

#11

mwsF250

Postmaster

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 2,564

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From: Wayyy NoCal, USA

What are your priorities?
Cost?
Capacity?
Ease of maintenance?
Life?

AGM's are great for the latter three, but are pricey. Except for the Optima, which unfortunately also has very little capacity.

I'd argue the best battery available today is the Odyssey. An AGM like the Optima, but with much greater capacity and even more reliable. But they are priced accordingly.

If your budget is under $100, you're pretty much stuck with flooded acid.
As others mentioned, there are only a couple actual manufacturers left, who offer several grades and labels.
So although Johnson Controls and Exide make "similar" batteries for Wal-Mart and everyone else, there are differences. Kinda like the Seagrams 7 Crown, VO, and Crown Royal offerings. All are whisky, all made by Seagrams, but there are differences.

As of last year, my research indicated the top line battery made by Exide was considered the best value. These were sold as "Nascar" by Autozone and "Bosch" by Pep Boys. At the time, the Bosch was $20 less so I went that route.

Apr 14, 2010 | 12:15 PM

#12

fordboy67

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 2,822

Likes: 0

From: Minnesota

I went the Optima Yellow Top route. I use it for a backup for camping and my kids left the key on acc. overnight and it drained it pretty good but re-charged fully in 1.5 hours. It is also maintenance free..no water to add. I also got a three year free replacement warranty. It cost a little more but the closest I could find here that would work was a Sears Die Hard and it was only $15 less and only had a one year warranty. Just my experience, hope it helps.