EverStart H8 AGM - Clarios Made in Germany

[TXCarGeek]

The EverStart H8 FLA battery from 2017 in my ‘89 Mercedes 560SEL finally died and I needed a quick replacement. So I went to Walmart and all they had was an H8 AGM battery. Would have preferred an FLA for this car but the AGM was there in front of me and was cheaper than FLA batteries from the parts stores.

Noticed that it had a Made in Germany sticker by Clarios.

Curious to see how it holds up over time with the 4 yr warranty from WM. The car isn’t driven often but I try to keep the battery charged up using my NAPA maintainer.

 

[f355spider]

Thanks for the info. I have the AC Delco AGM, also made in Germany...probably same maker (Varta?). The case shape, and features such as the handles are identical, the only difference is the AC Delco is molded from only black plastic. I bought the AC Delco because it was #1 rated in Group 49/H8 in 2019 by Consumer Reports.

Mine is just shy of four years old and works terrific, load tested at around 925 CCA recently (rated 900CCA) and up until mid 2022, it was still testing over 1000 CCA, since new.

Similar price to the AC Delco at $170, I would be inclined to get the Walmart branded one for the extra year of warranty.

 

[TXCarGeek]

Thanks for the info. I have the AC Delco AGM, also made in Germany...probably same maker (Varta?). The case shape, and features such as the handles are identical, the only difference is the AC Delco is molded from only black plastic. I bought the AC Delco because it was #1 rated in Group 49/H8 in 2019 by Consumer Reports.

Mine is just shy of four years old and works terrific, load tested at around 925 CCA recently (rated 900CCA) and up until mid 2022, it was still testing over 1000 CCA, since new.

Similar price to the AC Delco at $170, I would be inclined to get the Walmart branded one for the extra year of warranty.

After further reading here on the forums, it appears that's who the manufacturer is...Varta.

As an aside, how do you test your batteries for CCA? At a shop or do you have a battery load tester for yourself? I've been considering purchasing something to check batteries myself and I'm unsure what exactly to get.

 

[chemman]

Varta automotive batteries, at least the brand name, is now owned by Clarios.

 

[f355spider]

After further reading here on the forums, it appears that's who the manufacturer is...Varta.

As an aside, how do you test your batteries for CCA? At a shop or do you have a battery load tester for yourself? I've been considering purchasing something to check batteries myself and I'm unsure what exactly to get.

I have a cheap Griots Garage Battery Tester, which is simply a private label version of the Schumacher

https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-BT175-Digital-Battery-Tester/dp/B019RY1CNS/ref=asc_df_B019RY1CNS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198064502357&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16579916788890479751&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061299&hvtargid=pla-351281519958&psc=1

These are a bit controversial as they are not really applying a load to the battery, but testing the resistance. For example, you need a good clean clamping to the posts for a consistent and repeatable test. For this reason I will test at least twice, removing and reclamping between the tests. It seems fairly accurate for my needs.
There are threads here of other peoples preferences. I've had mine for over a decade, and I see other brands with more features and information produced than just CCA and "good, weak or bad" read outs.

 

[930.engineering]

Thanks for the info. I have the AC Delco AGM, also made in Germany...probably same maker (Varta?).

After further reading here on the forums, it appears that's who the manufacturer is...Varta.

Exactly. Formerly Johnson Controls.
.

 

[TXCarGeek]

I have a cheap Griots Garage Battery Tester, which is simply a private label version of the Schumacher

https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-BT175-Digital-Battery-Tester/dp/B019RY1CNS/ref=asc_df_B019RY1CNS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198064502357&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16579916788890479751&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061299&hvtargid=pla-351281519958&psc=1

These are a bit controversial as they are not really applying a load to the battery, but testing the resistance. For example, you need a good clean clamping to the posts for a consistent and repeatable test. For this reason I will test at least twice, removing and reclamping between the tests. It seems fairly accurate for my needs.
There are threads here of other peoples preferences. I've had mine for over a decade, and I see other brands with more features and information produced than just CCA and "good, weak or bad" read outs.

Thanks for sharing. I've picked up on the same controversy as well from casual reading on this forum. There's plenty of options in the $50 range which is reasonable given the information it can provide you.

 

[f355spider]

Thanks for sharing. I've picked up on the same controversy as well from casual reading on this forum. There's plenty of options in the $50 range which is reasonable given the information it can provide you.

Yes, I think the EEs here want the actual resistance value and the alogrithm used to determine the "good, weak or bad" indication. Me? I just want the CCA number it displays, the rest isn't of much value to me.

 

[f355spider]

Just discovered that the latest Interstate AGMs at Costco are showing "Made in Germany" stickers on them

 

[aba4430]

I had a Bosch Platinum H7 replaced under warranty on my 328Ci. They gave me a German Interstate H7 AGM. This was late last year, and the car is happy.

 

[aba4430]

Just got a Everstart (Clarios) H5 AGM battery delivered by FedEx. However, no place of manufacture sticker on the case/label components. I do need to look on the bottom of the case just in case. Can I assume this is manufactured in the US?

 

[ALR]

What would be the best charger or charging rate on this battery? It would seem that I dont drive it enough to restore charge. 2014 Malibu LT 2.5 Liter.

 

[Kalle.J]

13.5 to 14.8 depending on temperature.

Looks like Exide AGM battery.

Exide Start-Stop AGM - Car Battery | Exide

Exide’s Start-Stop AGM battery uses high-performance components and materials. It is ideally suited to cars with start-stop or regenerative braking systems.

www.exidegroup.com

 

[ALR]

13.5 to 14.8 depending on temperature.

Looks like Exide AGM battery.

Exide Start-Stop AGM - Car Battery | Exide

Exide’s Start-Stop AGM battery uses high-performance components and materials. It is ideally suited to cars with start-stop or regenerative braking systems.

www.exidegroup.com

It is the main battery, not the stop/start battery

 

[Kalle.J]

The difference being what?

 

[ALR]

The difference being what?

Merica!

 

[f355spider]

What would be the best charger or charging rate on this battery? It would seem that I dont drive it enough to restore charge. 2014 Malibu LT 2.5 Liter.View attachment 191186

Money no object, I like Battery Minder. They make several versions, this is their top model with the most versatility as far as charging rates and battery types it is compatible with. Best price I have found was here:

BatteryMINDer 128CEC2 | BatterMINDer 12v 2/4/8 Amp Charger Maintainer Desulfator & Lithium Charger Maintainer

The BatteryMINDer 128CEC2 is a desulfating charger suitable for Flooded, sealed, AGM, and Lithium batteries. Features an amp and chemistry selector button!

www.batterystuff.com

But in all honesty, a Battery Tender, purchased Costco.com or in their warehouse for $60 (I think they are cheaper in store) will probably work just as well:

https://www.costco.com/battery-tender%c2%ae-4.5-amp-battery-charger-%2526-maintainer.product.100987415.html

 

[Kalle.J]

Merica! View attachment 191273

Woosh. Most/all AGM are "stop/start" ready, and not all stop/start cars have two batteries

Smack one of these on.

Robot or human?

 

[f355spider]

Woosh. Most/all AGM are "stop/start" ready, and not all stop/start cars have two batteries

Smack one of these on.

Robot or human?

Those look great...as long as you don't park in a garage.