Battery - part 2

Still keeping with [b:0b3c457ac2]MTC[/b:0b3c457ac2]'s Battery topic, here's a different sort of question -- one having to do with the economics of choosing a battery.

As mentioned in the other thread, I bought a new battery just last week. When the old battery died, I borrowed one from the old Farmall 460. That battery was almost 10 years old and is still going strong. It is also an AGM battery purchased at Auto Value. I priced one of those batteries and it was $200 + tax. Ouch! I can remember when a new battery cost under $30. Wasn't so long ago that they were $80 new (Home Depot has one for $89, but no Home Depot near me). A couple years back, I bought one at Wally World for $120, and thought that was highway robbery. Now locally (and we don't have a lot of choices here), seems like the $142 price of this one is rather a deal these days.

This one is made by East Penn Manufacturing in the USA, so am hoping for decent life out of it. The feller at the parts store said there are only 3 major battery manufacturers in the world now; 2 in the USA and one in Mexico. ...I have no idea if that's true!

Anyway, I priced some other high-end batteries online when I got home. Come to find out, $200 for an AGM battery is actually quite a bargain. Who knew?? Anyway, got to thinking about the overall value of a battery -- how much will it cost me per month or year over its lifetime?

Seems I normally get the life expectancy that the batteries say I will, on average. That said, the AGM batteries don't "claim" to last any longer than flooded-cell batteries, even though they have earned that reputation of longer life.

So I ask, what kind of battery is the best value, and how much is simply too much these days??

My battery is the Deka Ultimate 778DT maintenance free battery. It's said to have 850 cold cranking amps. The DT on the end (778DT) means dual terminal, so it has both top-mount and side mount terminals. Great! Can use it in the Chevy (side mount) or Dodge (top mount) trucks, if needed. Cool!! My final price (including my old core) was $151.75 out the door. If it lasts me 6 years, than the battery will cost $25.29 per year to own.

IF I had purchased the AGM battery, it would have been about $60 more. Would it have lasted longer? No way of knowing. What about an Interstate or maybe an Optima? Wow, those Optima batteries are expensive! How long will they last? I have no experience with them, so can't say.

So, what's the best overall value in new batteries these days??

KC don't seem to be any value priced batteries anymore and prices have gone way up. As a rule I only get 3-4 years on one. Might get 5 on a much better one. Now when the temp crashes in the winter divide your cranking amps by half. I have seen a warming pad used under (Or around) them for extreme cold weather. I buy cheaper or lesser ones for summer stuff and better ones for winter stuff.

Haven't had any go over 3 year's in the
last decade and a half. Warranty now is 2
year's everywhere around here Except the
dealership's.

I have started buying mine from the local
Ford dealership. Cost's much less than the
auto parts store's and comes with an 8
year warranty instead of 2. Free
replacement for 3 & Prorated from 4 to 8.
$125 out the door for my last 2 this past
summer.

Sams Club have batteries for $100 plus or minus depending on what size, Duracell brand.They are guaranteed 7 years with 3 year 100% replacement.

I'd bet that a lot of the cost increases on batteries are due to EPA regs. Battery manufacture is a dirty business, lead, acids and other nasty chemicals. Manufacturers must cover the cost of mitigating pollutants and disposal of waste materials. The old days of pouring it down the floor drain are long gone.

I'm a fan of Rural King AGM. Battery
holders and cables don't corrode as much
if any.

I found a recycler that pays $.40 if my
memory is good. They bought small
motorcycle batteries.

I think that is more than most places,
$10 for car batteries. Other places wont
buy lawn mower batteries.

"The feller at the parts store said there are only 3 major battery manufacturers in the world now; 2 in the USA and one in Mexico. ...I have no idea if that's true!"

Apparently not. I saw a pallet full of auto batteries at Rural King that had "Made in Korea" on them. I bought one that had "Made in USA" on it

Bought a group 65 at Walmart for 49.95+tax yesterday. The Interstate battery in the plow truck decided it had had enough after 2 years. I?ve got an old
Interstate commercial in one tractor that has lasted forever. I?ve also got a few no name brand in various tractors that have had a decent life so far.

The Walmart battery is a 1 year free replacement, made by Johnson Controls. The 3 main suppliers of batteries are Exide, Johnson Controls
(Interstate), and East Penn (Deka).

Once I get my shed rewired with more outlets, all the not regularly used stuff is getting battery maintainers.

Here is an Interstate Optima that I was able to get when the local warehouse
was near me. Was brand new but one year old and out of warranty. This was when
the new price was $120.oo Still ticking along. Remember..regular batteries are
rated at room temp. The Optimas are supposed to be rated at 32?f. Least that is
what the store manager told me. Go on the web and find the Optima guide page.
Tons of information.

Did more research. Here are three lists. Then I found this video. Didn't even
know about the newest type unit. Wow!





Optima info

Checked the internet. He is right for the USA, not the world. Lots of others worldwide.

(quoted from post at 20:59:58 01/29/19) Lots of others worldwide.

Click to expand...

Figured as much. 2 out of 3 in the USA? With China as the manufacturing powerhouse??

I also might've just understood him wrong. Sure wouldn't be the first time!

...Then there is the little battery made only for my Miata, which is a small car. It is equivalent to a riding mower battery but with automotive top-post terminals. Low CCA and they last maybe 3 years. Forget the exact price but it was around $120-$140 for what would be a $59 battery in a riding mower.

Just make certain that an AGM battery is never overcharged .

I started selling AC Delco this year 42 mo free replacement... Like everything else they have good better and best I sale the best its expensive get over it are go buy a cheap battery from someone else then the warranty issue is yours...

I have sold interstate for well over 30 years they have priced themselves out of it AC Delco and interstate are made by the same manufacture... Neither make a battery they are re-sealers...

Across the board all top line battery's give good service these days as long as you get the best... Go for the cheap line its not going to last much are any pass the warranty period...

You will run across a cheap battery that will last its rare they will pass a load test tho. Starters fuel systems ignition systems have advanced to where it will fire off first try and survive a weak battery for a long time...

When folks post I got 9 years out of a battery I that does not mean its was at 100% for 9 years... Battery testing has gotten dumbed down battery co's love it...

I've had really good luck with AC Delcos in the cars. Not sure which "version" i've gotten (good, better, or best) but have had good luck.

THey are available at Menards now and that's the lowest prices i've seen for them.


I've also had really good luck with NAPAAs big commerical batteries in the Case 800

and in the lawn mower i only use Deka batteries. generally get 4 years out of them with no extra work. Nappa's lawn tractor batteries are only good for 18 months, period.. junk.