Truck battery
 

I'm going to try to avoid a huge can of worms here, but I realize what I'm opening...

I need a new truck battery for my Chevrolet S 10. It's been hard starting as of late so I had it tested out today. It's giving out only half the CCA that it's supposed to. It's rated at 650 and it's only producing 350. Now granted it's been 11 years since I bought it and I don't think that's bad.

The place quoted me at a few batteries they sell. I'm looking to see and gather feedback on what you guys have, if/why you like them, (manufacturer) and if/if not I should/should not get one.

Currently I have an AC Delco. It's been a great battery for the last 11 years but it's time for a new one me thinks. I'm not sure if I want to keep with brand or go otherwise.

Thanks

I've had good luck with Tractor supply, no complaints, always going 7+ years.
just make sure it is fresh, not sitting on the shelf for 6 months!!
I think that is the most important thing.
Now a days no more pro rated, most are free for 20-30 months and then thats it.

I think Johnson Controls makes batteries for GM. I get mine from Advance Auto also made by Johnson Controls. You can find really good coupons for Advance Auto and save alot of money. Order online, use your coupon and pickup at store.

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/advanceautoparts.com

Wow! 11 years is pretty good!

Batteries only last about 3-4 years here in Phoenix.
Heat cooks them.

I have had good luck with Interstate.

Here at my shop we probably install around 30 batteries a year or more. We either install Dekka from Napa, or Super Start from O'Reilly's. I've used Interstate quite a bit, but don't have a local dealer anymore. (No, I'm not a dealer.... that's another story) AC Delco makes good batteries. Now, customers get what they want to pay for. I push the the "mid grade" battery usually. You do get what you pay for. All my Cubs have Super Starts in them, my diesel truck has a dry cell Super Start and our van has a Super Start. All that said, I recommend getting one that has a good warranty. (5 Years at least) Brands I'd use without hesitation: AC Delco, Interstate, Dekka, Super Start and that's about it. You may have brands in your area that I don't have access to that are just as good. Spend at least $100 on a battery. That's my rambling advice. :beerchug:

I can't for the lift of me remember what brand my battery is but I got it at Farm & Fleet. It cost me about $100. When mine died on me last year, I ran to F&F and snagged this guy whom was on sale at the time so really it's a "more than $100 battery" :biggrin2:

I've heard Interstates aren't what they used to be. A couple people have told me they only get about 2-3 years out of them.

Mine in the 99 F150 lasted 11 years also, and I replaced it with another motorcraft battery.Still going strong after 5 years.

NONE of the batteries are what they used to be. None of them. :angry:
This year, all the part stores dropped the 5yr free replacement warranty batteries. All warranties are pro-rated after 18 months now. You just get to decide how long of a pro-rate you want. :bash2:

NONE of the batteries are what they used to be. None of them


boy is that the truth, I sell Dekas at a small parts store and warranty here went to a 1 yr free replacement about 2 yrs ago, that's it. No other warranty. It gets hot here, oldest I have seen here is 10 yrs on a Yuasa in a Honda and some Dekas show up occasionally that are 7 y/o. 3-4 yrs is pretty normal life span here.

Good work lew, same age truck as me.:biggrin2:

Nick I thought your were 11

No you didn't, I meant the same age as the truck, I thought you were 60

I have clothes older than you..... :biggrin2:

You are out of style.:biggrin2:

Correct and good advice. I service a Johnson Controls plant and it's Laverne and Shirley when it comes to batteries coming down the assembly line. I'm sure there are different levels of them but you'd be surprised how many brands are under one roof with different stickers on them, lots of this going on and the brand loyalty just isn't the same anymore. I am glad that they are produced in USA though. I just bought a gold series advance battery for our odyssey, only because of the 36 month warranty, it's a 12 and battery already went poo poo so I opted for the longer warranty period.

I'm running a Optima red top in my diesel jeep that I've been really happy with, but that's probably overkill for you. The NAPA legends I have I'm my mustang and my 1782 are working really well for me.

I haven't bought a truck/car battery for a number of years, so I don't know how much they have changed.

Years ago, I think the "Interstate Megatron" was about the best batteries that I ever had.

I was battery shopping last winter, I read consumer reports rated napa legend as a best buy (price/durability). I bought one for my wife's car and one for mine, $120ish dollars each with a $10 rebate each at the time. This is the first I've thought about them since, so I'd say they're doing good. :beerchug:

Bill

There is a battery plant in Florida?
There are only about three automotive plants in the USA making all of the brands. I have some lead melting equipment I designed and the shop built for
Optima batteries out in Colorado. And JC in Milwaukee.

Johnson Controls makes 1/3 of the lead acid batteries in the world. So, there's a good chance that will be what you get. Like J-Mech said early on, avoid the cheap line. Most batteries I replace that aren't more than a couple years old are the cheap nEver-starts from Wallyworld. I think Interstate has lost it's edge, too. I haven't worked at an Interstate dealer in over 10years, but I have seen more than a few duds in the past few years. I have a Bosch from PepBoys in my truck. It is only 1 year old and works good, but its starting to leak around the terminals. It's really a crapshoot:bash2:

Some may shy away from this but there's an Interstate distributor near me so I buy "shelf" batteries. These are ones that have been on the shelf too long and get pulled from the retail stores. I think the last ones I bought were $35 for my truck and it was a larger one too. It's been in my truck for at least 4 years or more and still going strong. I also use these for my tractors but I can't remember what I paid for the last one but they were cheap and have lasted just as long as the ones I've paid full price for.

There's no warranty on these but for the price they're great and way cheaper than the same battery new.

Johnson Controls makes the batteries for Interstate.

All that I've found so far doesn't offer a warranty longer than 48 months. The one I have now was rated for at least 6... :bash2:

Stick with the Delco in your truck. That's what I use as replacements in my vehicles with excellent results and you seem to of had very good service out of them also. I always replace with the largest Delco available.

What group battery are you wanting ? 24
I have had good luck with ever starts . hey they are 2/3 the cost of others
some group sizes are known for unrelieablity 56 is one

This kinda proves my "crap shoot" point. They all could be good but you never know which one's have been mishandled/dropped. Cross your fingers and not your legs but make sure you hold your mouth right when you pick it and put it in! :beerchug:

An S10 you say? I'd say go with the energizer double AA battery. Hahaha sorry had to.

I've had good luck with champion batteries or John Deere strong box batteries

johnson Controls bought the company but they were never a auto battery producer/ factory ,The designs of the battery would still be likely Interstate batteries factory way
Disney co owns ABC but they are not into the news business.

I've noticed not one person mention sears die hard batteries. Prolly because they are junk batteries. I used to be a die hard only battery man until about the mid eighties I got 2 upper end diehards with dead cells right off the shelf. Cured me of those. My battery of choice would be deka but there are no distributors in my area. I have had real good luck with the napa legend series batteries and the auto zone brand of batteries.

:biggrin2: That'd be cheaper than everywhere I've looked so far..plus I've already got one somewhere.

:You could steal them out of your TV remote.:biggrin2:

I just buy the cheapest battery I can get that fits in the tray with the highest CCA i can get (except in my puller). I have to say I have really good luck with it.

I used to put the local farm and barn batteries in my tractors, but got real pissed after they seemed to start crappin in a year!! then I switched to "ironsides"cost more but almost 400 cca, and have one going on its 6th year!! As for the truck, i store mine in winter (i know what a loser, but its old and i spent lots of hours on it in my defense:BlahBlah:) so i just do the exact same as what Don said above...the old lady's van has a napa battery going on its 8th year in it...Id probably stick with the delco if i was in your shoes...sounds like its been good to you...

Bought a Delco from a GM dealer today, just over 110 dollars. Highest CCA (700) that they had available. It is only rated for 48 months. I told the guy the last one was rated for 6 years and he told me that GM changed their battery warranty a few years ago. :bash2: After I got it installed it started up (the truck) great.

Thanks for all the tips. If my 97 truck lasts another 48 months I'll be doing great.