What auto battery brand do you think is best? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 03:41:58 am
content: I have an brand-unknown battery in my car and I am considering replacement.What auto battery brand do you think is best?

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 03:57:28 am
content: GS is the Oem for a lot of Japanese cars and they have always listed the longest.After that I like the supercharge gold batteries. It’s an Australian brand, but owned by Ramcar in vietnam(?)

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 04:05:20 am
content: A mate of mine is a very good mechanic and owns a large workshop, he only sells Century Yuasa so that's what I always use. We also use Yuasa NP series batteries in other applications and they have been excellent.https://www.cyb.com.au/home

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 04:14:58 am
content: I have had good luck with the Walmart brand.There were a couple I needed to replace but only because I killed them by not driving the vehicle for several months.

author: Tomorokoshi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 04:46:01 am
content: Optima Yellowtop or Exide AGM. Perhaps others have AGM batteries too now.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 04:50:50 am
content: agm

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 06:47:33 am
content: Brand name means nothing. There are around 3-4 US mega-corporations making car batteries, each feeding a shell-game of different brand names.They are given a cost target, warranty life, CCA, reserve capacity number and build to your private label specifications.When a car battery manufacturer is good, it gets bought out and cheapened. Manufacturing gets moved to a country with lower labour costs, china or Mexico.For every good review, there's a bad review. I would say it's all about the warranty and pro-rate.Johnson Controls is the largest battery manufacturer, 74% of the aftermarket, earnings $1.7B, recently sold for $13.2B Nov. 2018They make private labels for some Interstate and Everstart, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Energizer and their Optima line.Car battery lifetime has dropped in newer vehicles due to high quiescent drains. See Subaru short battery lifetime and ECU firmware update to try lower that.Start/Stop service has made a change over to AGM technology.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 06:57:13 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on March 22, 2019, 06:47:33 am+1Quote from: MarkF on March 22, 2019, 04:14:58 amYep, the brand doesn't matter much as there aren't that many real choices here. If you want a battery to last, you have to maintain it properly. If you don't drive often, get a battery maintainer and use it.Batteries in my vehicles last for at least 10 years, including a Walmart one (it's 11 years old now).

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 02:52:03 pm
content: IMHO batteries get blamed too quickly for causing problems. The clamp-on contacts can get corroded quickly when fitted without grease to keep moisture and dirt (like salt to de-ice roads) away.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 04:17:23 pm
content: Whichever Toyota wrote on the service manual.

author: Gregg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2019, 05:17:34 pm
content: I just buy Walmart batteries because Walmarts are everywhere in the US if you need a replacement before the warranty runs out. Also they sell tons of batteries and you can pick one out of the rack with the latest date code.

author: rcarlton
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2019, 01:33:56 pm
content: A lot of people around here (Dallas) like Interstate batteries. Years ago Die Hard batteries were considered among the best.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2019, 08:17:12 pm
content: I use reserve capacity and weight as a figure of merit to compare car batteries, within the same size group.Reserve capacity is defined as the number of minutes a fully charged 12-volt battery at 27°C/80°F can provide 25A at above 10.5 volts.It's a faster discharge than the 20-hour rate for measuring Ah.CCA doesn't mean anything relevant to lifetime and we're no longer spinning 7L V-8 engines at -20°C like years ago.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2019, 03:47:09 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on March 23, 2019, 08:17:12 pmAh, global warming...

author: frmdstryr
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2019, 12:09:39 pm
content: QuoteSpot on, many are just re-branded from Deka (seehttp://www.eastpennmanufacturing.com/).

author: deadlylover
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2019, 12:35:01 pm
content: Odyssey batteries are too bloody expensive here in Australia so the only real alternative is NorthStar if you want a high performance AGM battery. I kinda hate the Optima's because there's "wasted" space using their spiral cell design, so the equivalent Odyssey or NorthStar using flat plates gets you higher reserve capacity for a given size. NorthStar has more size options here so it's easier to find a perfect fit for our imported vehicles. (you want the biggest you can fit which is usually whatever group size the OEM chose in the first place)

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2019, 06:44:55 pm
content: Many years back, out of desperation, I once had to replace my car battery with an emergency UPS gel type 12v battery of the same size. Never had to replace the battery over 10years in Montreal's -40 degree winter weather with my car left outdoors overnight. However, the UPS battery was a 350$ battery unlike a 75$ lead acid car battery. It could crank that engine indefinitely and wouldn't drain if I let the car sit for weeks in freezing cold.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2019, 09:23:48 pm
content: Specialty/exotic car batteries such as the Optima AGM are 3X the price.I tried one and it had insanely high cranking amps, the best I have seen- but sudden failure after less than a year. People do report catastrophic failures. I prefer car batteries to fade away and not leave me stranded, as SLA does.Johnson Controls acquired Optima in 2000 for $62M, fired their researchers and other staff, moved manufacturing to Mexico etc., keeping the brand name. So the brand's image is of a high performance, worth the 3X price battery, cult-like following but that is not my experience of them. The supposedly 2X longer life does not save you money over flooded batteries.

author: firehopper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2019, 12:17:22 am
content: Quote from: frmdstryr on March 25, 2019, 12:09:39 pmeastpenn aka deka manufacturing plant, is about 5 miles from my house. and we visit the factory store from time to time, usually get factory second batteries.

author: SkyMaster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2019, 02:42:27 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on March 23, 2019, 08:17:12 pmI would love to have a Hemi 426 V8 in my Jeep JKU

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2019, 04:55:16 am
content: Ambient temperature is a huge factor affecting car battery life. I can't imagine any lasting long in Australia due to the heat. It's much cooler in Canada and we get 1.5-2X the life.

author: electromotive
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2019, 04:58:10 am
content: Quote from: frmdstryr on March 25, 2019, 12:09:39 pmIf they're not Deka, they're Johnson Controls.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2019, 10:45:21 pm
content: Quote from: floobydust on March 26, 2019, 04:55:16 amI live in Sunny Tucson, and I end up putting new batteries in my cars every two years, regardless of quoted lifetime. I get the AutoZone house brand, simply because their nearest location is within walking distance of my house. (Although shlepping a battery isn't fun.) With the warranty it works out to "Buy One, Get One Free In Two Years!"The only exception to getting them from the AutoZone was when we owned a 2011 VW diesel wagon. (Bought back after 6 years and 60,000 miles!) The batteries died every two years, and strangely the dealer's price for a new battery was the lowest.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2019, 04:15:16 am
content: Funny how the factory original battery in my truck lasted over 8 years, but none of the "7 year warranty" replacements I've bought since can seem to manage more than 3 years.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 28, 2019, 04:19:45 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on March 26, 2019, 04:55:16 amNormally you wouldn't get any less than 5 years service out of a car battery in Australia. In many cases, it's significantly longer.As others said, brand really doesn't matter as long as you buy from a reputable store (i.e.: It's not your cheapest, bargain basement Chinese crap).However, if you have a car with auto stop/start, you must use an AGM battery. Don't cheap out on a regular car battery as you'll end up having to replace it in 6 months after you kill it.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2019, 04:29:31 am
content: Actually, my battery's problem is not cold-start or not enough cranking amps. It has started just fine over a rather cold winter. It is during quick current draw (while the car is running or not), the voltage drops too much. So, when the (say for example) radiator fan come on, my headlight goes dark for a quick moment.According to OBD data, random/various subsystems logs "voltage too low". ECU reports input voltage too low, ABS reports input voltage too low... ECU one is rather consistent, but other subsystem issue random "low voltage" warnings - even when the car is running.Seeing those messages from ODB2, I connected up (via jumper cable) to another car (with both cars running) and all those "voltage too low" warnings went away. So I was rather sure battery is the issue.Unrelated, I went to the dealer to have a recall taken care of while I contemplate what to do. Unexpectedly, they did a complementary system check (to sell other services). When I took the car in, I said nothing about the battery. When they were done, they handed me a report with an extra battery test graph saying I need a new battery...Quote from: rcarlton on March 23, 2019, 01:33:56 pmI have pretty much decided to follow your suggestion here. You have validated a recommendation from a car buff friend - he thinks Interstate is rather good choice. When I have some free time (right now, too busy), I will stuff in an Interstate battery.The Interstate is about 2x walmart price (for that particular size) but with the highest CCA/RC. So, once I un-busy myself, I will get a new battery and if there is anything notable, I will give you guys a "user feedback" later.Thanks for all the suggestions.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2019, 12:18:01 pm
content: Think I've had a Walmart-bought one twice in a row. Seems to last 5-8 years before it's too cold and discharged to crank in winter.So far I've got two more years out of my present battery by bringing it in for a float. That one morning of 20 below (that's F, so what, -28C) I had brought in the battery to warm up and float, guarantee I had the strongest start of any vehicle in the city that morning.Tim

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2019, 04:20:45 pm
content: Somewhere in the fine print of the warranty, there are two time periods.There is a Free replacement period, followed by a prorated replacement period.Interstates's warranty is easier to read if you have dealt with MCU datasheets!Depending on the exact model it works out to about 2-3 years free replacement and another 2 proratedEnter walmart.....less dollars, 3 years free replacement, 2 years proratedIf one is double the price of the other... have fun deciding

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2019, 04:31:37 pm
content: THis thread was "spent" troubleshoting the solution...not really diagnosing the problemIf the electrical system is getting bogged down (dimming lights etc), depending on the age of the vehicle's wiring, it could easily be caused by the alternator or the alternator's belt.Although the dealer said "battery", once you take it in and they call you and tell you "sure the battey IS weak" but so is the alternator and belt..,,then you are already on the hook.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2019, 06:52:29 pm
content: I had an Interstate Megatron and was not impressed. The voltage sagged and it did not have much Ah capacity compared to the Japanese GS it replaced.I guess it's their cheap mid-end offering, I see a lot of unhappy reviews.They offer three different (flooded) grades of car battery (M, MT, MTP) which just seems cheezy and cashing in on the "brand name" instead of giving me a few more pounds of lead:Example Group 24:M 38.6lbs, 530 CCA, 95min reserve capacity, 18mo. warranty pro-ratedMT 39.2lbs, 600 CCA, 110min reserve capacity, 24mo. warranty pro-rated to 5 years.MTP 44.2lbs, 750 CCA, 130min reserve capacity, 30mo. warranty pro-rated to 6 years.I dislike companies that split up their product line into a few month warranty chunks and a few Ah. That's managing pennies.

author: mathsquid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2019, 01:27:38 am
content: I'm not going to say it's the best, but my car has a Duracell battery.I had never seen a Duracell car battery before I bought this one.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2019, 03:16:16 am
content: Quote from: DimitriP on March 28, 2019, 04:31:37 pmIndeed, I replaced my (probably original, so 20+ year old) alternator last year. The brushes were worn down to nubs, and about as much was left of the slip rings, too!In my case, I don't think that had much to do with the poor winter performance of the battery. Which I guess is good news about the alternator regulator: even with such nasty connections (flakey worn out rotor rings/brushes), it maintained battery more or less normally.Tim

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2019, 03:53:36 am
content: It's interesting to note charging system voltages have been increasing.MC33099 datasheetis 14.6V or 14.8V.Duracell car batteries are made by East Penn. 2009: "East Penn Manufacturing has signed an exclusive agreement with Duracell (part of the Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE:PG]) to release batteries branded under the Duracell name..."ExampleDuracellGroup 24:AGM 44.5lbs, 710 CCA, 110min reserve capacity, 36mo. warranty pro-ratedEHP 42.5lbs, 725 CCA, 120min reserve capacity, 30mo. warranty pro-ratedHP 41lbs, 650 CCA, 115min reserve capacity, 24mo. warranty pro-ratedSTD 37lbs, 550 CCA, 90min reserve capacity, 18mo. warranty pro-rated