If money were not a primary consideration, what is the best battery for reliable cold-cranking performance and reserve capacity?
Best Battery for Light Pickup / SUV
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I think the "best" one is something that could be warrantied easily. I've been getting batteries from WalMart with the highest CCA that I could fit. WalMarts are everywhere and open 24 hours usually, so if you have an issue it can be taken care of quickly.
I've owned everything from Optima Yellow Tops to Walmart's "Everstart". If the battery dies under warranty and you are hours away from the place that can take it back, or they don't open until monday morning, it becomes an issue.
I've owned everything from Optima Yellow Tops to Walmart's "Everstart". If the battery dies under warranty and you are hours away from the place that can take it back, or they don't open until monday morning, it becomes an issue.
Costco.
If for best you mean "best built" I know of only 2 names and they are Odyssey & North Star.
They have the thickest walls & cells and are made out of 99.9% led, but they are not sold at Walmart
They have the thickest walls & cells and are made out of 99.9% led, but they are not sold at Walmart
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Originally Posted by Pelican
If for best you mean "best built" I know of only 2 names and they are Odyssey & North Star.
They have the thickest walls & cells and are made out of 99.9% led, but they are not sold at Walmart
+1
what I was going to post..
If for best you mean "best built" I know of only 2 names and they are Odyssey & North Star.
They have the thickest walls & cells and are made out of 99.9% led, but they are not sold at Walmart
+1
what I was going to post..
AC Delco. Some sizes have 42 month full warranties.
Money is always a consideration. If it weren't you'd just replace the battery before it left you stranded. Batteries can be tested.
AGM from NAPA made by East Penn.
Originally Posted by JMJNet
Is this a phylosophical question? because, you realize that different year, makes, model uses different battery group with different CA rating, size that fit, etc.
So, there is really no "best".
another topc. seems there would only be about 5 battery sizes for cars instead of the bazillion there are now
Is this a phylosophical question? because, you realize that different year, makes, model uses different battery group with different CA rating, size that fit, etc.
So, there is really no "best".
another topc. seems there would only be about 5 battery sizes for cars instead of the bazillion there are now
Pelican, Rand, thank you for the response.
Know anything about how they compare to the Optima?
Know anything about how they compare to the Optima?
Originally Posted by jeepman3071
I've been getting batteries from WalMart with the highest CCA that I could fit. WalMarts are everywhere and open 24 hours usually, so if you have an issue it can be taken care of quickly.
I do the opposite. I do use walmart batteries as well as the O'Reily batteries that look like East Penn/Deka.
But i pick the largest battery, that has the lowest CCA that meets my vehicles needs.
The higher the CCA, the more plates. To fit more plates , they are thinner and closer together. Easier for them to fail from vibration , shock or internal shorts.
I've been getting batteries from WalMart with the highest CCA that I could fit. WalMarts are everywhere and open 24 hours usually, so if you have an issue it can be taken care of quickly.
I do the opposite. I do use walmart batteries as well as the O'Reily batteries that look like East Penn/Deka.
But i pick the largest battery, that has the lowest CCA that meets my vehicles needs.
The higher the CCA, the more plates. To fit more plates , they are thinner and closer together. Easier for them to fail from vibration , shock or internal shorts.
IMO Optimas are overpriced for what they are, and really unnecessary for the majority of applications.
NAPA makes a good battery, but another to consider is dealership batteries. Mazda uses a quality Panasonic battery as their OEM.
That said, while I think NAPA consistently scores the best, generally a top tier parts store AGM is going to be a quality battery. Pretty much all car batteries are made by about 3 manufacturers anyway.
NAPA makes a good battery, but another to consider is dealership batteries. Mazda uses a quality Panasonic battery as their OEM.
That said, while I think NAPA consistently scores the best, generally a top tier parts store AGM is going to be a quality battery. Pretty much all car batteries are made by about 3 manufacturers anyway.
With your parameters, I'd probably say an Odyssey, made by Enersys.
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IMO Optimas are overpriced for what they are, and really unnecessary for the majority of applications.
Good to know. Thanks.
IMO Optimas are overpriced for what they are, and really unnecessary for the majority of applications.
Good to know. Thanks.
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With your parameters, I'd probably say an Odyssey, made by Enersys.
That's three for Odyssey, that's where I will start and thank you.
With your parameters, I'd probably say an Odyssey, made by Enersys.
That's three for Odyssey, that's where I will start and thank you.
Please post where/how Odyssey and North Star batteries are to be found.
Also, don't AGM batteries fare better with charging systems tailored to them?
Also, don't AGM batteries fare better with charging systems tailored to them?
Originally Posted by Kira
Please post where/how Odyssey and North Star batteries are to be found.
Also, don't AGM batteries fare better with charging systems tailored to them?
I've had an AGM in my 89 Sierra for over 3 years now, I'd think if the charging system wasn't capable the battery would of failed by now. I do put my Ctek on it a couple times a year.
Please post where/how Odyssey and North Star batteries are to be found.
Also, don't AGM batteries fare better with charging systems tailored to them?
I've had an AGM in my 89 Sierra for over 3 years now, I'd think if the charging system wasn't capable the battery would of failed by now. I do put my Ctek on it a couple times a year.
A flooded Odyssey will be vastly superior to a parts-store AGM, I would suspect. And either will provide better service than Optima, which was only a high-quality unit in their first few years of mfr'ing prior to moving outside of the US.
I once owned a flooded deep cycle battery made by Trojan. While never putting my hands on an Odyssey, there's a world of difference to be had with higher quality wet cells. That Trojan put up with way more abuse and lasted way longer with less care than any other battery I've had.
I once owned a flooded deep cycle battery made by Trojan. While never putting my hands on an Odyssey, there's a world of difference to be had with higher quality wet cells. That Trojan put up with way more abuse and lasted way longer with less care than any other battery I've had.
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