Battery needed?

[4Cruizn]

So I need to buy a couple batteries  . . . one for my daily driver and one for my stroker bigblock.  I was thinking on maybe going to Tractor Supply for the daily driver and the Dodge dealership for the stroker car?   I really don't care for the older looking batteries which is what I had as they really just cost to much IMO . . I had a red cap which is dead.  What is available?  Wonder if Dave at Roseville gives discounts on batteries? 

[burdar]

Cut the red cap open, gut the inside and install another battery in the case.  If you don't want to do that, don't throw away the battery.  There are always people looking for dead reproduction batteries to gut.

[AARuFAST]

   with burdar.  Hope you still have the old battery.
Gut it and install a motor cycle battery inside,
Dodge dealer has sealed mopar batteries friend just purchased one for $175.

[Bullitt-]

Just bought a Motorcraft Max for my '98 GT for $119. from dealership... 3-yr replacement warranty with 100-month pro-rate.
OE Motorcraft lasted 9-years. Don't know if the have a Group-24

They do....BXT24A

[Topcat]

There only 3 major battery manufacturers in North America,

Exide, Johnson Controls (aka: Interstate) and East Penn Deka.
Johnson controls is now manufacturing all their batteries including Optima's in Mexico.

There are generic car batteries now coming out of South Korea.
The lowest priced one's are a red flag they are either made in Mexico or South Korea.

When it come's to vehicle batteries, the only thing they compare test them all against the competitors is their Cold Cranking amps, This is a test done under refrigerated conditions for 30 seconds. Cranking Amps is never tested. Do not compare batteries on what they advertise what their cranking amps are advertisted.

Here is where it gets interesting:
When they make the lead plates that go into batteries, each manufacturer decides how much Calcium that they want to alloy into the percentage of lead. This is of course to keep the profit margins higher. Calcium is inert and is just a filler.

Now you would think: "OK they should all be close" But they're not!
In my 4 years of battery backround, I have picked numerous times, 2 batteries that are equal in specs and group size yet different mfg'rs. Yet each were significantly differential in weight. some of these companies are taking short cuts.

My conclusion was that I tended to find that the East Penn Deka batteries were consistently heavier most of the time I compared.

More Lead equals more reserve and a better lasting battery over the long run.

[AARuFAST]

Don't know just asking.  Do all new cars have gel batteries?
I understand you cannot purchase an old school liquid acid battery. 
They are all gel with color caps...

[Topcat]

Don't know just asking.  Do all new cars have gel batteries?
I understand you cannot purchase an old school liquid acid battery. 
They are all gel with color caps...

Newer cars are starting to switch to SLA batteries. (Sealed Lead Acid)
These are batteries that have a fiberglass absorbant glass matt between each cell.
SLA batteries generally handle temperature extremes better than wet cell conventional batteries.

They vent out little or no gas so that's a safety feature.
Also known as VRLA (Valve regulated Lead Acid)

Another thing beginning to happen with newer cars is that they're installing a Nano Chip.
These Nano chips only allow the dealership (only) approved batteries to talk with the ECU's in the vehicle.

BMW is already doing this and I expect many more auto manufacturers's to follow suit in the years ahead.

[Topcat]

Correction...

The battery would be in contact with the OBD (on board diagnostic computer) and not the ECU.

[Bullitt-]

Newer cars are starting to switch to SLA batteries. (Sealed Lead Acid)

My Mom's '12 Benz is on it's third....

[Beekeeper]

So if someone was interested in reliability rather than look, is gel generally the better way to go?

Also, the old guy at the auto parts store swears by Interstates. How do they stack up in your opinion or do they vary from lot to lot?

[Topcat]

So if someone was interested in reliability rather than look, is gel generally the better way to go?

Also, the old guy at the auto parts store swears by Interstates. How do they stack up in your opinion or do they vary from lot to lot?

Gel batteries are not normally used in vehicle applications because they're designed more for deep cycle applications like Marine and back up. Gel is now cosidered an older technology compared to SLA design.

The algorythm charge rate needs to match the battery type. That's a whole other chapter in itself.

The consensus from customers I used to vendor to comment that Interstate batteries dropped in quality 2-4 years ago. An example was an equipment rental locations that rented out equipment to construction etc.

Both gave feedback they didn't want to use Interstate again.
I don't want to feedback that Interstates aren't good. Just that East Penn seem to be better on heavy/hard usage duty more than Interstate.

 

[blown motor]

Another thing beginning to happen with newer cars is that they're installing a Nano Chip.
These Nano chips only allow the dealership (only) approved batteries to talk with the ECU's in the vehicle. 

Great! So now we can only buy batteries from the dealer and they get to hose us on them. One more reason to love my ebody.

[Beekeeper]

Where do you find East Penn batteries?

On the SLA variety, are they only available on new cars or can I get the correct size for my older cars at the dealerships or other location?

[Topcat]

Great! So now we can only buy batteries from the dealer and they get to hose us on them. One more reason to love my ebody.

It's not across the board with all mfg'rs and models, when the battery fails. 

Only amount of time.

[Topcat]

In my opinion the Northstar is head and shoulders the best SLA vehicle battery made.

Sears (Platinum) and Batteries Plus (X2) sell them.

East Penn distributors:
http://service.clarkmhc.com/PDF/EastPennDistributorsListing.pdf