Deka batteries not impressed

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: GC4lunch

New Apple products are glued, rather than screwed, together, and their batteries cannot be replaced. When the battery goes on a new generation iPod, iPad, or MacBookPro, the product is dead. That may be the solution to your problem.


But the prices Apple charges for a replacement are within the same prices as other vendors charge for their swappable batteries. IIRC it's $179 for a new battery for an air, about the same thing Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc charge for their high capacity batteries. IIRC it's $79 for a new iPad battery as well. You can get this done at an Apple store or via mail. If you live near an Apple store, it's as convenient as any other. If not, it's about the same as few places actually stock laptop batteries.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy

Apple products are not the "standard of quality" for sure. That and their privacy concerns, sweatshop labor etc and no Apple for me.


What privacy concerns? Google and Microsoft track you just as much if not more. Google has had numerous provacy "issues" crop up both with their search tracking and Android. MS does the same with Bing (for the 5 people that use it) and with Windows Phone. Everyone's hans are quite dirty!

And I hate to break the news to you but your Samsung, Motorola, HTC, Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc are all made in the same factories. It's similar to the Nike bashing for sweatshop labor in the 80's. Conveniently ignored that Reebok Adidas, Asics, Brooks, New Balance, etc. were all made the same factories under the same conditions.

And Apple is probably the only one of the major OEMs that is actually looking to bring production back to the USA. This has been confirmed by them and numerous news outlets.

That's fine if you don't like or want to buy a company's products but it's good to at least have your ducks in a row.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Less than four and half years and had to replace the Oreillys Superstart 48-72 in the Escape. Held a good charge but had a bad cell. Although I'm at odds if recent events had anything to do with it's demise. Jump started a neighbors truck about 2 weeks ago but was fine after that. A week later one of the doors was left open and almost discharged the battery completely which I thought the Escape would shut power off over a period of time to prevent this, could be thinking of the old 00 F150. I'd have a hard time buying this either due to the fact that the Festiva's battery was drained due 1.5 years ago to a short in the radio and it's been fine since. With the extra size I was expecting at least 5 years but wasn't going to replace it till the 6th year.


I think the wife got about 6 years off the OEM Motorcraft in her 03 Escape. We replaced it in 09 with a DieHard after the radio was doing similar things. Figured it was cheap insurance. I do believe her car will shut the power off if the door is opened or the dome light is left on to protect the battery. But I'm not 100% sure on that.

I'd say the couple of dead events did it in, especially if it was later in it's life - that will really shorten the life of a Lead Acid battery.

One thing I will do to the batteries twice a year is put the manual charger on them at 6A for an hour or so to make sure they are topped off. Usually do it once in the fall and once in the spring. Seems to work well and it's simple to do and remember. I figure it can't hurt anything.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
And Apple is probably the only one of the major OEMs that is actually looking to bring production back to the USA. This has been confirmed by them and numerous news outlets.


When I was last in one of their stores (about two weeks ago), the 'wonks' working there had NO CLUE WHATSOEVER what I was talking about when I asked them WHICH lines/products would possibly be made HERE (not that most of them would ever care about that info

).

Now, if this actually does come to fruition (and is not just empty PR talk), THAT, combined with their virtual virus-proof rep, would cajole me into paying a premium for one of their lap tops (but NOT their 'status symbol cache', or their cult-like 'culture').

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver

When I was last in one of their stores (about two weeks ago), the 'wonks' working there had NO CLUE WHATSOEVER what I was talking about when I asked them WHICH lines/products would possibly be made HERE (not that most of them would ever care about that info

).

Now, if this actually does come to fruition (and is not just empty PR talk), THAT, combined with their virtual virus-proof rep, would cajole me into paying a premium for one of their lap tops (but NOT their 'status symbol cache', or their cult-like 'culture').

Tim Cook said said it on Rock Center. Rumors have it that it's going to be the iMac (IIRC some are already made in the USA now) or the Mac Mini.

But I can say all companies keep the low level people in the dark and don't allow them to speculate on rumors. So it's not surprising you'd get blank stares.

That being said, the best thing I ever did was ditch Windows in 2002. I want my computers to be like the TV - turn it on and it works. The Macs are not there 100% yet but are 98% where even Windows 7 is like 60%. I never bought low end so the cost is about the same for me. Not a cult for me but a solid, ultra reliable, easy to use ecosystem that makes Microsoft stuff look like Abacus'es.

 

[OilFool]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: OilFool
Deka seems to be the brand of choice in "emergency services" vehicles around here.
I wonder why

Low bidder!


Even running with Michelins/Goodyear/Continental and not "Kumho" or the likes for 1/4 the price?
With tires, it lies a little deeper for insurance reasons over reliability.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Local fire trucks run Sumitomo steer tires and Bandag drives.

Ambulances all seem to run Hankooks.

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: GC4lunch
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Many have of had good luck with Deka's and bad with Johnson Controls. Just based on this one experience and price just can't recommend them. And I don't always go cheap.. I have a house full of Apple products.


New Apple products are glued, rather than screwed, together, and their batteries cannot be replaced. When the battery goes on a new generation iPod, iPad, or MacBookPro, the product is dead. That may be the solution to your problem.


To the average person living yes the batteries can't be replaced just throw it away. I bet I can find a dozen guides and replace any of the above.

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Less than four and half years and had to replace the Oreillys Superstart 48-72 in the Escape. Held a good charge but had a bad cell. Although I'm at odds if recent events had anything to do with it's demise. Jump started a neighbors truck about 2 weeks ago but was fine after that. A week later one of the doors was left open and almost discharged the battery completely which I thought the Escape would shut power off over a period of time to prevent this, could be thinking of the old 00 F150. I'd have a hard time buying this either due to the fact that the Festiva's battery was drained due 1.5 years ago to a short in the radio and it's been fine since. With the extra size I was expecting at least 5 years but wasn't going to replace it till the 6th year.


I think the wife got about 6 years off the OEM Motorcraft in her 03 Escape. We replaced it in 09 with a DieHard after the radio was doing similar things. Figured it was cheap insurance. I do believe her car will shut the power off if the door is opened or the dome light is left on to protect the battery. But I'm not 100% sure on that.

I'd say the couple of dead events did it in, especially if it was later in it's life - that will really shorten the life of a Lead Acid battery.

One thing I will do to the batteries twice a year is put the manual charger on them at 6A for an hour or so to make sure they are topped off. Usually do it once in the fall and once in the spring. Seems to work well and it's simple to do and remember. I figure it can't hurt anything.


Hmm that's good idea. From what little I've seen new batteries start around 13-upper 12's and older batteries around the 11-lower 12 range. That might revive it to the upper 12's. Then again may just depend on the alternator also.

 

[moving2]

Originally Posted By: SHOZ
Get an Odyssey and it will outlast the car.


Thanks for the laugh. Plenty of people use these on the ih8mud Landcruiser forum and, while they are a good battery, that is hardly the case. They are also sold as rebadged Sears Diehard Platinums. The bottom line is that they are not a cost effective investment, as they will not provide enough additional lifetime to justify their cost. Sorry.

 

[Tdbo]

Batteries are merely a consumable item. I utilize 3 criteria in purchasing one:

1. Price
2. Warranty
3. Ease of access to warranty.

Doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things which brand you get IMO. I have had good and bad in any manufacturer that anyone can name. I figure driving habits and battery management (leaving lights on discharging the battery, etc) will determine the longevity of a battery, more so than the manufacturer will.

 

[wtd]

The O'reilly's Superstart batteries made by Deka do not last long in my 98 K3500 truck. I'm guessing it's because it sits a lot and the battery doesn't stay fully charged. I usually only get about two years out of one and sometimes less. The electrical system has been checked out and tests fine and it has a new alternator and positive side battery cable.

I've had the truck a little over five years and went through three Superstarts and now on a Duralast from Autozone. I always buy the top dollar batteries also. I've only put 10,000 miles on the truck since I bought it.

I've been told that the newer batteries are not made as well as in the past and don't last long in an undercharged state.

Wayne

 

[jim302]

Originally Posted By: wtd
The O'reilly's Superstart batteries made by Deka do not last long in my 98 K3500 truck. I'm guessing it's because it sits a lot and the battery doesn't stay fully charged. I usually only get about two years out of one and sometimes less.
Wayne


Not driving it enough to keep the battery charged with the alternator can dramatically shorten battery life. I would recommend buying a good quality battery charger to maintain the battery. Battery Tender products have a good reputation.

 

[SHOZ]

Or get a different type battery (deep discharge AGM). Or a battery disconnect switch ($5 at HF).

 

[another Todd]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Less than four and half years and had to replace the Oreillys Superstart 48-72 in the Escape.


Why blame DEKA for an O'Reilly battery? Even if it was made by East Penn, it is probably to O'Reillys specifications. I have had awesome service from DEKA batteries.

 

[SHOZ]

I would guess the limit of O'Reillys specs is the label. The rest of the battery is just another one going down the line for that particular size.