Why are batteries suddenly so expensive?

[Skypuppy]

I noticed this with an older car I had. Today I'm trying to replace a 1979 VW Beetle battery and I'm seeing $200!
Are they filling batteries with gold now?


WTH ???

A little bit of it is "inflation" but the vast majority is just pure freekin' GREED.

Roughly a 10 point tariff jump cuts inflation about 0.5 percentage points while adding about 0.3 points to unemployment.

Same CPI, fewer paychecks.

Tariffs don't lead to inflation, they lead to higher unemployment in low skilled jobs. But so does AI.

So we can big mad at tariffs, when AI does the exact same thing.

AI, so far, has increased incomes because of the profession requiring more (and more expensive) expertise. I don't think we have seen the "AI impact" to any appreciable degree yet. And, we may not, as the current implementations have not proven their in-the-field value yet. Stay tuned.

 

[boatmoter]

What exactly is a "blemish" battery? I don't seem to recall hearing that term used before.

a blemished battery used to be a battery with a cosmetic issue, like scratch and dent furniture. but todays world their a used battery that has the acid poured out, battery cleaned and post rebuilt if necessary. then fresh acid poured back in,put on a special industrial charger (which you can buy today cheap online) that are made to bring old batterys back to life,this breaks any sulfaction loose and then battery is good to go an always last me around 2.5 to 3 yrs for a lot less money

 

[ultrarunner]

too many people today are trying to make their first Mill in a short time. they also want to be able to afford healthcare. that takes a lot of money today. what I do is go to a place here in Tampa Florida area that rebuild or sells Blem Batteries I pay $$38 buck s for a battery that is guaranteed for 2 yrs. they test the charging & starting system and install the battery. or you can bring your core and pick up a battery. this is all they do. I used to work for a Battery company that does this, I was the auto Electrician there,rebuilt starters and alternators. they dump the acid out in plastic barrels,wash the battery, add new acid to the barrel until it reads 12.75 on the hydrometer. then pours it back into the battery and puts it on a trickle charge with a special industrial charger for 3 days, this breaks any Sulfation loose. they load test the batteries then put them on the shelf. when I get one it usually last me 2.5 to 3 yrs. theres only like 3 batterie company's in the USA,one of them is interstate. . these companys make the batteries for all distributors and their put their labels on them.

Battery rebuilders were a trade here and there was one near the high school…

The owner always had a black rubber smock from neck to ankles.

He told me he was shutting down and retiring as it was no longer possible to keep the doors open and comply with all the new safety regs… same for the plating shops I use to patronize.

 

[varmint]

My L3400 had a Napa battery in it when I bought it used in Dec. 2014. Still has that same battery in it. I stick a $5 Harbour Freight battery maintainer on it when it's going to sit for more than a couple weeks. I know it sounds sketchy, but so far, so good. I did install a little digital volt meter, so when I hit the glow plugs, or when it's running and charging, I know just what's going on. Gives me warning, I hope, when the time finally comes.

 

[wthforever]

Parts like Batteries, emissions parts, repairs, and insurance have all about doubled in the last 5+ years.
And people wonder why their amazon stuff and food costs so mu

I noticed this with an older car I had. Today I'm trying to replace a 1979 VW Beetle battery and I'm seeing $200!
Are they filling batteries with gold now?

I noticed this with an older car I had. Today I'm trying to replace a 1979 VW Beetle battery and I'm seeing $200!
Are they filling batteries with gold now?


WTH ???

It is "suddenly", they wanted $200 two or more years ago for the last battery I bought. I usually just go to Sam's or Walmart, Sam's just had a $20 off sale on their Duracell batteries.

 

[Skypuppy]

Maybe the same cooperate umbrella but definitely not the same battery. The low end John Deere lawn mowers are made by MTD, also not the same. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

"Getting what you paid for" means nothing these days. It used to, but no longer.

I have a lithium battery in my motorcycle that has been going for 10 years now. It also weighs 75% less than the lead acid that was in it

Gotta be careful replacing lead acid for lithium, even the LiFePo4 versions. Evaluate charge currents but even more important for automotive applications, the Lithiums don't have enough oompf like lead acids to. Not cold cranking amps (CCA should be your guide there.) Motorcycles and small engines are fine with LiFePo4, but whatever you do, N-E-V-E-R buy a (pure) lithium battery for anything unless you know exactly what you're doing and have training on their usages. You can lose your house, your vehicles, your drone, and etc. Danger, danger Will Robinson. They and explode/burn even if they are unattended and not (apparently) doing any work.

 

[Skypuppy]

My L3400 had a Napa battery in it when I bought it used in Dec. 2014. Still has that same battery in it. I stick a $5 Harbour Freight battery maintainer on it when it's going to sit for more than a couple weeks. I know it sounds sketchy, but so far, so good. I did install a little digital volt meter, so when I hit the glow plugs, or when it's running and charging, I know just what's going on. Gives me warning, I hope, when the time finally comes.

I like the chargers (2 and 4 amps) that you can get for good prices from Cycle World store. Built like tanks and come with the multiple connections you will need.

 

[Skypuppy]

I like the chargers (2 and 4 amps) that you can get for good prices from Cycle World store. Built like tanks and come with the multiple connections you will need.

I'd sure like to find out whose batteries Kubota was installing on their tractors around 2009. Mine lasted nearly 23 years with occasional trickle charging during early winter months. Longest lasting in-service battery I've ever owned.

 

[acarr1]

I noticed this with an older car I had. Today I'm trying to replace a 1979 VW Beetle battery and I'm seeing $200!
Are they filling batteries with gold now?


WTH ???

I’m in the retail parts business and I can tell you that beginning with the Covid junk, inflation has run wild. It used to be that the manufacturers would send us notice of annual price increases in the 1-2% range and sometimes they would go years without giving any increase. Since Covid, prices go up by 5-10-15% and that might happen a couple times a year. Once all the Covid stuff settled down and industry adapted, then come the tariffs, and prices have spiked again. Specifically on batteries, the one ingredient in batteries that is made nowhere in the US is lead. Because of regulation there isn’t a major lead factory anywhere in America. It’s all imported.

 

[lilranch2001]

Oddly enough a case of beer is still $19...

I cannot remember the last time I bought a case of beer….
If I buy a six pack, most of the time a beer or two get poured out because they sit in the fridge for 6 months