Diehard batteries

[GreenWannabe]

I had one of those J. C. Penney Lifetime batteries, and had it replaced several times. After J. C. Penney closed their auto centers, they had Firestone replace the batteries for them. Those replacements didn't last any better than the J. C. Penney ones did.

 

[Ford850]

I had one of those J. C. Penney Lifetime batteries, and had it replaced several times. After J. C. Penney closed their auto centers, they had Firestone replace the batteries for them. Those replacements didn't last any better than the J. C. Penney ones did.

They were just average batteries with an insurance policy fee added to the cost. They gambled on people owning their cars less than 3 years from the new battery purchase. Back then, when the economy was humming, it was a pretty good bet. No longer the case with so many holding on to older used cars longer.

 

[Egbert]

I suppose if I had a "critical" application, I'd spring for the Interstate. I don't. I find batteries from Walmart to be very reliable and providing good service. When they die, Walmart is excellent about replacement or pro-rating.

 

[Jkott]

Short answer.... no.

Deep cycle batteries don't like to stored in my discharged state any more than a starting battery. But more importantly, the plate thickness and design of a deep cycle battery is to out put about a max of 20 amps as long you have juice left.

Starting batteries have thinner and more plates so they can put out the high current draw that glow plugs and the starter draw, but for a very short period of time.

A deep cycle is no substitute for poor charging and maintenance of a battery. If it sits that long, disconnect it and charge it regularly or keep it on a battery tender. If away from an outlet, a solar maintainer is better than nothing.

One thing is should we be using Deep Cycle batt instead of automotive starting batteries? Given that our tractors sit for a long time between running, conventional batteries' voltage is dropping below 11 volts and lead plate sulphatization is occurring - just a guess. Using battery tenders or trickle chargers eliminate this issue. I've been using Costco Kirkland batteries as of late and they're made by Interstate. Once the tractor battery goes, I'll have to go about finding a proper replacement.

 

[crazyal]

I have 4 Interstate batteries, 3 of them are over 5 years old. 2 of them came with an old firetruck I bout in 2006 and I have no idea how old they are (the number thing never got punched). Those 3 batteries have been great. All three have been drained totally flat more than once and all have recovered without loosing any noticeable life. Two summers ago I bought an Interstate battery for my Tundra. Before that I had one of the 2 that came with the firetruck in it (it's too big). The new Interstate is junk. The truck doesn't get used much and after 3 months I found the battery dead. Charged and desulfated it and now check it once a week. I now find it extremely low (4v~5v range) about a dozen times now. Being winter I have put one of the old Interstate batteries back int he Tundra and have the new one in the basement on a trickle charger. Since doing that last fall I haven't had an issue with the battery going flat so it's not the truck. This spring I'll put the new Interstate back in my truck, if it dies again I'll take it to Interstate and see about getting a replacement. As it is it already cost them as the last battery I bought for my side by side is an Exite. If they refuse to do anything then I'm going to assume that they changed how they make them so I'll stop buying Interstate.

 

[daveinnh]

I've bought a few Excid (sp?) batteries from Sanels (New England dist.) that have not lasted as long or cracked - as long as an Interstate,

 

[2deeskip]

I too, was once a dyed in the wool Diehard battery guy. They'd spin the motor over like nothing else. But - they'd never last more than a couple of years. Sear's replacement warranty made that a non-issue. No more though.

So - I've changed to Interstate on everything I own, other than my Harley. Seems most other brands of batteries for Harley's are slightly off in size, post position, or whatever. And, although pretty expensive for a tiny battery, they do last very well. Over 7 years on my last one.

I did have good luck with AutoZone's DuraLast Gold batteries, however there are no AutoZone's nearby, thus the switch to Interstate.

Remember the old J. C. Penny's batteries with a LIFETIME warranty? After replacing mine 4 times - they shut that deal down

I sure can't believe how the price of batteries has jumped in the last two years though. I was told that it's a shortage of lead. Haha - not likely!!

I've read where the "we're looking out for you" EPA has effectively caused the shut down of the largest lead smelting plant in the country. It supposedly produced 60% of this country's raw lead.

Skip

 

[Soundguy]

who's making the walmart batts now? i got 5ys out of their yellow batt .. just repalced a set in the diesel last month. picked up another set for my otrher diesel.

napa bats only made it 2ys.

we used to sell interstate batts at work.. but discontinued them.... havn't used them in a year..

 

[Travis_R]

You can get atv/motorcycle batteries like that, but that's all I know of.

I bought a Napa battery last year for a Kawasaki Mule and they added the electrolyte/acid to it at the store. I also had to take it home and charge it for so many hours.

 

[arlen4720]

who's making the walmart batts now? i got 5ys out of their yellow batt .. just repalced a set in the diesel last month. picked up another set for my otrher diesel.

napa bats only made it 2ys.

we used to sell interstate batts at work.. but discontinued them.... havn't used them in a year..

I'm pretty sure it's Johnson Controls