What's a good battery to get?

Sport · Jan 20, 2017

The interstate battery in my truck seems to be getting a little weak, and it's 7+ years old. I wanted an Optima but started reading that the quality is hit or miss since they moved to Mexico. Want something U.S. made ideally.

Any suggestions? I want something nice, but hopefully under $200. Don't think I need a deep cycle because I don't run any accessories without the engine running. I occasionally have to start my truck in sub-zero temps so having a powerful battery is definitely important.

Yeret · Jan 21, 2017

Well, the local battery shop here offers a few grades of batteries with the highest grade for our application offered for $120 with 1,000 cold cranking amps. They put their stickers on them but I'm told that the batteries are made by Exide.

I didn't buy one from them earlier this year and instead bought a Super Start from O'Reilly's for more money and less CCA because I'm an idiot and regret the decision every time I have to start the truck in below freezing temperatures. It has gotten to the point on a few occasions that I'm unsure if the battery will have enough capacity for a second winter. I'm actually planning on replacing it with a 1,000 CCA battery and new starter before next winter because f*** cold-starting in Iowa winters.

smiley · Jan 21, 2017

Advance auto 850cca use a coupon.
Where did you find a 1000 I would think that would be awesome too.

SHOOT2KILL · Jan 21, 2017

I recently got an Autozone Duralast Gold 94r series for close to 50% off...I used the Autozone price matching policy to my advantage...I went to the local farm n fleet and took a pic of their brand gold series 94r battery priced @ 92.99...Then drove to Autozone 3 min down the road, and showed the cashier girl the pic and asked if they still did price matching....YEP...The autozone battery had a much higher 800 ca/950cca/140 reserve than the FnF battery...So I walked out with a $187.00 battery for $92.99 + tx...I kept the Mopar oem (JUNK) battery for a backup...

SHOOT2KILL · Jan 21, 2017

Yeret said:
Well, the local battery shop here offers a few grades of batteries with the highest grade for our application offered for $120 with 1,000 cold cranking amps. They put their stickers on them but I'm told that the batteries are made by Exide.

I didn't buy one from them earlier this year and instead bought a Super Start from O'Reilly's for more money and less CCA because I'm an idiot and regret the decision every time I have to start the truck in below freezing temperatures. It has gotten to the point on a few occasions that I'm unsure if the battery will have enough capacity for a second winter. I'm actually planning on replacing it with a 1,000 CCA battery and new starter before next winter because f*** cold-starting in Iowa winters.

Try one of these. I only plug mine in at 0*f or lower...In the morning the truck starts like it does in the summer...80watt works for me...

Max78 · Jan 21, 2017

From my experience Interstate batteries have been the most reliable and highest CCA for the money.

I bought a group size 34 interstate battery for my Cherokee, it was $77 at Costco and had 850 CCA. lowest temp it has ever seen was high 20's and it started my Jeep better than my 3 year old Autozone battery did in the summer. . .

Rado · Jan 21, 2017

From what I have heard there are 3 manufactures in the US that makes batteries, Johnson Controlls also makes Interstate batteries, and Costco's Kirkland battery--as well as several other brands. Johnson Controls is the largest battery maker in the US, by far.
The other two companies making auto batteries in The US are Exide and Delphi (formerly Delco).
Most batteries are made in the US.

smiley · Jan 21, 2017

Rado said:
From what I have heard there are 3 manufactures in the US that makes batteries, Johnson Controlls also makes Interstate batteries, and Costco's Kirkland battery--as well as several other brands. Johnson Controls is the largest battery maker in the US, by far.

The other two companies making auto batteries in The US are Exide and Delphi (formerly Delco).

Most batteries are made in the US.

Yup there are about 3 main players and all others are either smaller or a label variation of one the main three.

Usually batteries vary a bit by warranty and out put but you can tell who made it by how they look.
1. Johnson Controls (JCI)
2. East Penn/ Deka
3. Exide

smiley · Jan 21, 2017

SHOOT2KILL said:
I recently got an Autozone Duralast Gold 94r series for close to 50% off...I used the Autozone price matching policy to my advantage...I went to the local farm n fleet and took a pic of their brand gold series 94r battery priced @ 92.99...Then drove to Autozone 3 min down the road, and showed the cashier girl the pic and asked if they still did price matching....YEP...The autozone battery had a much higher 800 ca/950cca/140 reserve than the FnF battery...So I walked out with a $187.00 battery for $92.99 + tx...I kept the Mopar oem (JUNK) battery for a backup...

Is the 94R you got AGM or standard lead acid?

SHOOT2KILL · Jan 21, 2017

smiley3303 said:
Is the 94R you got AGM or standard lead acid?

Most auto parts stores Silver & Gold series batterys are Lead-Acid...Platinum series are all the AGM type...After 30 years in the snowplowing biz, one thing you don't **** around with is battery life. Mine get ********** after 3 seasons no matter what. And I always have a spare in the truck. Alternators can also be problematic, so I kept a spare one of those in my chevys in the past too. This RAM has the dual alternator setup with somewhere around 380 amps...lol...Seems like overkill, but time will tell...I like the most available reserve power from the battery brand, and this Autozone was waaaaay higher than the Mopar oem, and the FnF...Severe Usage will eat batterys like candy, and after my first experience of having to change one out at 2a.m. during a blizzard many many years ago, you learn quickly to always be prepared....

bulrid8 · Jan 21, 2017

The sears platinum batteries are the best. This is what offroaders are running instead of the optimas. They are AGM and 1000cca. I believe that advanced auto's platinum is the same battery as sears.

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SHOOT2KILL · Jan 22, 2017

bulrid8 said:
The sears platinum batteries are the best. This is what offroaders are running instead of the optimas. They are AGM and 1000cca. I believe that advanced auto's platinum is the same battery as sears.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Sears doesn't offer a 94r Platinum series battery for the 6.4 hemi...They have 3 versions of their Gold series...The AGM is only 800cca...The other 2 are both lead acid...One has a 790cca/130 reserve...The other has 765 cca/140 reserve..

bulrid8 · Jan 22, 2017

Then they must have stopped selling them. Look up of asset batteries. That is who makes them.

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bulrid8 · Jan 22, 2017

Oddessey

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Yeret · Jan 22, 2017

Anyone know anything about these?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/xsp-d2700/overview/year/1999/make/dodge/model/ram-1500

Expensive as hell but they sound pretty badass. At almost 70 pounds, they'd be a load to lift into the engine bay, LOL.

Gr8bawana · Jan 22, 2017

I've got 5 years + on my Optima battery. I live in So. NV so I go from 110+ degrees to below 0 when I am hunting and have never had a problem. They are quite pricey though.

bulrid8 · Jan 22, 2017

http://www.odysseybattery.com/battery_search.aspx

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silver surfer · Jan 22, 2017

I would stay away from Exide. Even the BJs clerk who sells them says they are not reliable batteries.

What's a good battery to get?

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