batteries

[lostinfrance]

no that winter is over hopefully,we have some battery special offers floating about,amongst the publicity is some good prices on optima red tops
1 are they that good?
2 whats the difference in all the numbers for 12v when the output all seems the same?

 

[graysonhomes]

do you have a battery for a 753?

 

[surfer-joe]

In my opinion, the Optima batteries are among the very best.

 

[Goat29]

I have used Optima for several years, but, I like NorthStar AGM better.....

 

[heymccall]

When possible, I use East Penn (Deka) flooded batteries.

 

[Rob Gunn]

I have found over the past 20+ years and in the past 4 Bobcats that Iv owned that I rarely ever got more that 1 year out of any battery regardless of brand. Rather than spend high dollar on a top of the line battery that I expected to be junk in 1 year I would go to Walmart and pickup the cheapest battery I could find. Just my 2 cents worth...

 

[AllDodge]

My opinion, not that it matters but
I like AGM and use Odyssey, Lifeline, Trojan, Northstar
For heavy equipment use CAT

 

[92U 3406]

I used the red top Optima in one of my pickups a long time ago. For winter performance they can't be beat. When they start to fail though it seems they fall on their face extremely quick compared to a standard battery.

 

[Goat29]

Gunn, Alldodge and 92U----just SHAME on you for not using the "GREAT" ones, JD, Cat, MF, Interstate, etc, etc-----I too join you on that "wall of shame"---shame on us!!! I've been at this for over 50 years. I have a JD 4020, 2 batteries, 24 volt---"cool" weather---no start!!! After about 20 years, with all of JD's help----no start...And then without any help from them---It is now a 12 volt, heavy battery cables, "welding cable", high speed starter and 1 (one) NorthStar battery, pops off every time!!!!!
My 2 other JD have Optima or Walmart--and they pop off every time?!!! My trucks and cars are on NorthStar, Optima or WalMart----My Cat backhoe is about to get a NorthStar----
Shame on me, but I will never buy any of "the great ones" again!!!
Thank you guys for your emails!!!!!

 

[heymccall]

The batteries I prefer, not just because of the service life, but, because the posts are sealed properly to the case, are made by East Penn, and sold as Napa, Caterpillar, and Carquest, among others.
I average 7 years on my group 30 & 31 batteries, even on my seasonal equipment. Just pulled an 11 year old East Penn 31 from my Leeboy paver because it only load tested at 600cca.

And, unlike Exide, Interstate, Motorcraft, Johnson Controls, and ACDelcos, they never rot, corrode, or destroy the battery cable ends.
The only battery size that never performs well here, regardless of brand, is the Group 48 batteries in my GM trucks.

 

[clutzer]

The batteries I prefer, not just because of the service life, but, because the posts are sealed properly to the case, are made by East Penn, and sold as Napa, Caterpillar, and Carquest, among others.
I average 7 years on my group 30 & 31 batteries, even on my seasonal equipment. Just pulled an 11 year old East Penn 31 from my Leeboy paver because it only load tested at 600cca.

And, unlike Exide, Interstate, Motorcraft, Johnson Controls, and ACDelcos, they never rot, corrode, or destroy the battery cable ends.
The only battery size that never performs well here, regardless of brand, is the Group 48 batteries in my GM trucks.

Do you keep a battery tender on it to get that kind of lifespan?

 

[heymccall]

Nope. Zero love thrown at them.
I have been known to recondition 3 out of the 4 batteries in an excavator, and put them in straw blowers and other seasonal equipment.
My last service truck had 12 year old Deka batteries that still tested good, but, it got new ones when the alternator died.

Stupid 12 year old pete 389 here just got $300 worth of battery cables because the POS EXIDE one year old batteries rotted the ends of the cables out. But, they were "on sale" and I had a sizable credit at my Pete dealer.

Best battery investment I ever made was my $70 ESI tester.

 

[Coaldust]

Optima was good before Johnson Controls purchased the brand and moved manufacturing to Mexico.

I’m talking East Penn Manufacturing. Made in Merica’ and good people.
Caterpillar = East Penn
Deka = East Penn

 

[heymccall]

Optima was good before Johnson Controls purchased the brand and moved manufacturing to Mexico.

I’m talking East Penn Manufacturing. Made in Merica’ and good people.
Caterpillar = East Penn
Deka = East Penn

Many Napa = East Penn
Carquest = used to be East Penn, apparently now Interstate.


I harken back to when Napa Nascar Select batteries were made by Exide.
I didn't have single Exide battery that didn't rot one or both cable terminals in less than 2 years.

And the best part is that I can buy the exact same battery as shown below, with a Deka label, for $89 from my East Penn dealer.

 

[AllDodge]

NAPA bats don't last for me, have several laying on the barn floor (4D, 31, 27). One of these days I need to find a place to recycle them. Dozer/Loader have CAT newer maintenance fee 4D's (175- or 178-something)

 

[Ct Farmer]

Local battery supplier had switched from Deka to Crown a few years ago when I needed new 4D’s and a couple group 65’s. Claims they are really good or better. So far no problems. Weight and price compare to Deka. Can't find any online complaints about them. Will see in a few years.

Old timer once told me to buy the heaviest battery in the size you need. More lead equals better life.

 

[Rob Gunn]

As long as were talking battery and life. Has anyone else noticed that batteries just don't seem to give any end of life warning any more? Seems to me in my younger days that a battery would slowly start to get weaker and weaker until finally just not having enough power to do the job. Now days Iv had many batteries be just fine one moment and the very next start have nothing, full dead never to return. Just wondering if anyone else see's this same scenario?

 

[Ct Farmer]

As long as were talking battery and life. Has anyone else noticed that batteries just don't seem to give any end of life warning any more? Seems to me in my younger days that a battery would slowly start to get weaker and weaker until finally just not having enough power to do the job. Now days Iv had many batteries be just fine one moment and the very next start have nothing, full dead never to return. Just wondering if anyone else see's this same scenario?

Have seen this several times. Parked the car and a few hours, dead. Nothing. Same thing on the truck a few years ago. Just like a switch.

 

[92U 3406]

Can't say that I have.

 

[Coaldust]

HeyMcCall,

$89 for a Group 31 DEKA is a smoking deal. I’ve been using the NAPA BAT 7236. They were $99, for a long time. Jumped to $109, recently. PROLink is great.

I often have to air freight batteries. The haz-mat fees, freight and packaging costs more than the battery. I then discovered, I can ship AGM batteries with no haz-mat. In the instances when I have to ship a battery, I’ve been purchasing the DEKA Intimidator AGM from the local auto electric place.