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Batteries: What kind is the best?

U

UP Oliver

Member
Hello.

I have an Allis Chalmers 840 wheel loader, early 70's model. I need to get some new batteries for this rig. The best advice I have ever received with regard to my machinery has come from this site so I though I would ask what brand of battery people on this site use. I have a carquest battery in my David Brown 990 that has been working great for 8 years, but a guy I work with told me today he hasn't had good luck with batteries from there.

Anyway, any input you have would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
I'm sure you'll get a lot of opinions on this, but there is no way I know of to determine the quality of a battery by the brand.

The battery companies order them from whoever will make them to their specs, and give them the best deal. All that changes is the name on the case.

If you have a working relationship with a supplier, and trust their warranty, that is where I would buy them. They may also be willing to share what has been happening with the batteries they have sold lately, are they good or are they coming back for warranty?

A lot of factors determine the life of a battery. The condition of the charging system, the temperature (heat kills), vibration and rough service, how often it is used... And there are some batteries that are poorly made. Just no way to know by looking at the outside.
 
As much as I hate to give them a plug,the John Deere Strongbox batteries are hard to beat. At least they used to be. I don't know if they've cheaped out over the years or not.
 
There are a lot of batteries made by the same company but have a different label from how ever is selling them.
I try and find the best warranty. NAPA has 5 yr
 
Hello Up Oliver,


Hard to beat a trojan, not cheap top quality in my book!


Guido.
 
I have el cheapo Walmart batteries in my 886 (12 years old) and old grain truck (10 years old). If the batteries die on a Sunday afternoon that's where I turn. My starter and alternator guy sells Interstate. That's my brand of choice. I've had good luck with them and like supporting the local guy.

It's like antifreeze. There aren't that many suppliers. It's just specs.
 
on a heavy vibration app like a loader,, (they get Pounded in a loader) I recommend ones from JD, CAT, CIH ect, Interstates seem to be pretty tough as well,, on a app where you do not put a lot of hrs a walley world batt at times lasts as good as others too,, but they do not take constant pounding well from what I seen like said a battery maintainer really adds life to any battery
cnt
 
I love the Interstate units. The ones i really like are the Optima baterys they sell. Costy but they have big brass power if you get my drift. Always use a good tender like a schmacher or such with the desulfate cycle.
 
Thanks Guido. Unfortunately the closest place I can get those is 140 miles away, so I will have to pass on those. But thanks for the information anyway.
 
Johnson Controls make Interstate and Walmart batteries. They may not be built the same though due to price.
 
(quoted from post at 18:03:06 10/04/16) Johnson Controls make Interstate and Walmart batteries. They may not be built the same though due to price.
Click to expand...

That's just it. Company A says we want batteries that we can sell for X amount for a discount store or to compete with a discount store. Company B say's we only want to sell good quality batteries. So the manufacturer give them each a price, one for a cheaper quality batter to meet price point and the other reflecting a higher quality.

Rick
 
Deere USED to be good and was all I put in till about 7 years ago. Now I won't bring one on the place if I can avoid it.

Only use Interstate now.

jt
 
Hard to beat Case IH batteries. I don't know who was making them in 1998 when I installed them in my CIH 7130 magnum tractor but they lasted til the fall of 2015. No maintenance, no problems. I bought the next set from CIH as well.
I think they are Interstates that I installed in the CIH combine about the same time. They have not been out of the combine since then and still start as good as new some 16 years later.
Also had good luck with the local Co-op batteries. Don't know who makes them but I have a pair of six volts bought in 2002 that are still cranking just as strong as they did when new.
Just lucky? Or good batteries.
 
My opinion is Deka. They have been really good to me. I just changed out a 10 year old Deka that was in my pickup. It was a five year battery. I run them in everything. Cars, pickup, boat, tractor when the original gives up. Good industrial service battery.

Greg
 
There are only three battery manufacturers in the country. Deka, Exide, and Johnson Controls. The differences in the batteries are internal. Things like number of plates, spacing of plates, composition of plates, etc. You cannot judge a battery by the label. It could be made by any of the three.
Since this is a somewhat competitive industry, I would think that most are comparable in performance. Either way, you cannot judge the battery by the label stuck onto it.
 
Bought a new JD 5210 in '98.....it's on the second battery. I have a pair in the 830 that are 11 yrs. old & it doesn't get used that often. Setting idle is hard on batteries. I buy the best bang for my dollar and for my $$ it's a strongbox! If something changes, I will adjust.
 

Interstate batteries were very good way back in the '70s. Then they became not so good, and the local dealers pretty much all dropped Interstate. Now they are good again??
 
I agree about the Case IH batteries. I even use them in the JD equipment. The local Interstate battery guy says they are better than Interstates.
 
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