So is there a "BEST" battery?

[SouthernBornRebel]

Bottom line is: it's more about the TYPE of battery over BRAND... e.g. AGM, EFB, Lead/Acid.... ALL batteries were made by Johnson Controls (JCI) PERIOD, and branded only by stickers e.g. Interstate Batteries, AC Delco, DieHard, Everstart, etc... JCI sold the Battery Division to China (stupidest business decision EVER!). Maintaining battery is important, warranty by company may vary, but all are some no matter the price, you're paying for the NAME Only. JCI made ALL batteries, AA, AAA, 9V, C, D cell.... hearing aid.... ALL.

 

[Magfan2]

Here's one I came across, can't recall the brand but my wife bought it at Honda. I call it the Ikea battery because you had to assemble it, add the fluid and charge it yourself. Cost the same as ready to go for the UTV - I was at a Doc appointment - I would have passed.

 

[NashTT]

Went through three Optima batteries in the span of 10 months each one failed and would not hold a charge. Bought them at Advanced Auto. Told the guy I’m tired of replacing them (only paid for the first one). Asked if we could do something else. He offered a Die-Hard and I took it with a new warranty. That was six years ago and no problems yet. I do keep a jumper pack under the back seat. Florida heat and constantly running the air can kill batteries, but so far it’s been good.

 

[truck2014]

Walmart....Cheapest, same quality, easy warranty ANYWHERE there is a Walmart.
AGM has a 5 year full replacement warranty
Maxx battery has 3 year free warranty for cheaper

Only battery I have used in 20 years

If you are referring to the US bought AGM Everstarts from Walmart they are a 4 year free replacement ,and their lead acid is 3 years free replacement . No prorate on either .

 

[WWDiesel]

NorthStar AGM group 65 in my Jeep still going strong after 13 years. NorthStar was so good, Odyssey bought them out to kill the competition. Now an Odyssey ODX AGM battery is over $400+ at most locations. But they are probably one of the best premium AGM batteries you can purchase without going to a Lithium Ion battery which in most cases is about twice the cost or more of an AGM for a single battery.
Bottom line, purchase the best top of the line AGM you can afford and hope for the best.
BTY, I wrap all my batteries with reflective foil backed insulation to help protect them from engine bay heat which is a battery killer. (available at most builder supply stores like Lowes)

 

[Eric1976]

I've had to replace my battery twice on my 2015. I bought them both from Napa. Since the first battery lasted an underwhelming 5 years I figured I'd throw my hat in the ring again for another 5 years. The first battery I had I was in California - hot weather, traffic, traffic, and traffic. The second battery I got I've been in Maine - cool/cold weather and no traffic and it lasted the exact same amount of time. I plastered a 150 watt heating pad on the side of the battery and plug it in when temperatures drop into the single digits. I figured if I had a 150 watt heater on me when the temperatures drop i probably wouldn't be so cranky in the mornings ‍

 

[D1DAVE]

Sooo..after my comments on batteries, guess what took a dump. We had a real cold snap in SE Texas last night. Below freezing and windy. Not even a click. Voltage was at 11 volts.

I was going to charge it, but I learned years ago, running low voltage batteries hurts more stuff in the long run. So off to Walmart for the same battery. 3 and a half years old is good with me. Especially on a 3 year warranty battery.

Just thought you might want to know I jinxed myself I guess!

 

[BluDodge]

I typically bought Costco batteries in the past, but Walmart AGM was either the same price or within $10 of Costco's price last year. Costco also prorates their battery warranty now where Walmart is full replacement.

When did Costco start prorating? I know our Costco will charge the difference between the price you paid and the cost of the new battery, but I think that is the same regardless of when you return it. I think the last time I had a battery crap out before the warranty expired it was $9 and change for the new one.

 

[18CrewDually]

When did Costco start prorating? I know our Costco will charge the difference between the price you paid and the cost of the new battery, but I think that is the same regardless of when you return it. I think the last time I had a battery crap out before the warranty expired it was $9 and change for the new one.

Apparently since July 2023. I read one person had 1 yr 2 mo and were still charged for the replacement $54 out the door at Costco.

 

[Magfan2]

Costco - have had a Business Membership for a long time. Based on some of the positions they have taken, maybe not next time. I believe in their rights, also mine and what I am willing to have my dollars help support.

 

[Marshall]

I have the auto wipers on my 2014, most times they work fine, thou I have never checked out different speeds, I don’t remember that part.
It is a pita if you try to clean the windows while getting gas at times
I carry glass insurance on my truck because of the price is this windshield.

Batteries. I just replaced the factory original one in my 2014 sport.
Only 11 years, what a ripoff
I have got longer on a couple tractors.
I just went down to the local Canadian Tire store , Walmart may have had one, but at my age, I an’t lifting that thing, the Honda was no problem as it’s the size of a motorcycle battery ie crap.

I never bothered checking with the dealer as I don’t know if I could stand the shock, but sometimes they do surprise me .
I don’t think there is much difference in any of them.

 

[Magfan2]

Point in time, where you just find as trustworthy folks as are available and pay them to do stuff. I did enough today to firmly cross that line moving forward!

 

[stenerson]

I've seen arc welders being used to bring back an old battery,so i'm curious on his technic to rejunevate a battery
@HotDamnGotaRam clue us in to your technic,you can't just leave us hanging

The battery on my Poulan riding mower pooped out after 4 years. Wouldn't hold a charge. I used my NOCO genius 5 recharger which has a "rengen" function also. Ran it through several cycles. Used it for 3 more summers since and it's still going strong. It "breaks down harmful sulfate crystals on lead-acid battery plates, restoring lost capacity, performance, and life for old, idle, or sulfated batteries." I tried it on wife's 2007 Sonata this year when her battery died, no luck on that one. But many people on youtube claim it restored their batteries.

 

[Dusty]

I think operating conditions and environment have a lot to do with battery longevity. Some of the brands I see being criticized actually seem to do alright around here.

My factory battery went 7.5 years and is still functional and holds a good charge. I retired it only because previous battery discussions here made me nervous.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 143712 miles.

 

[HotDamnGotaRam]

A lot of good points being made here, but maybe a few aren't quite correct. GU/JC did NOT make all batteries. Just most of them. Exide and General were both major players and AC/Delco made their own batteries, which were very good batteries. The downside was how much trouble they went to to make them unserviceable. No way to get into one without drilling holes into each cell leaving you with a very ugly result. They mostly failed due to low electrolyte levels.

As for additives to counter sulfating, no first-hand knowledge, but that's basically what happens when you recondition them like I previously posted. If this works I suppose it's a good option, to my down and dirty method. The thing to remember is that batteries get all messed up inside when you use them. Can't be prevented and they also seem to retain a "memory." So it's basically just a matter of getting the gunk out and recharging repeatedly.

As for how you treat them, I'm not sure this makes a lot of difference. Example: My neighbor gave me an ancient Interstate when he moved. I did my magic on it and it came back up to factory specs. This was one ugly battery and it had been in an unheated garage for at least one winter. I have to say though, that this particular battery would lose it's charge when it sat for a few weeks. I ended up scrapping it for that reason. Just a hunch, but I think my zombie batteries even though are in working order, likely lack reserve capacity. Fine for a daily driver, but not so much for your weekend/summertime toy.

Hopefully tips in this thread will help everyone save a few bucks on their batteries. If you really want to you can keep a battery going almost forever.