Identifying East Penn Batteries at Walmart

[artbuc]

This has been discussed numerous times. One person said model number starting with EP confirms East Penn. I called EP this morning. They supply batteries to my local Walmart but said model number starting with EP is not confirmation. You have to see manufacturing sticker stating battery is manufactured by EP. They also said they do not modify/cheapen batteries to meet Walmart price demands.

I gave up on JC (Interstate) batteries decades ago because they always leaked at the posts causing a corrosive mess. Never had a peep of trouble from an EP battery.

 

[Hall]

but said model number starting with EP is not confirmation

That person has to be incorrect with that statement. What else would it mean ?

They also said they do not modify/cheapen batteries to meet Walmart price demands.

That's funny that you asked them. Do you think they'd say otherwise ? This controversy is just bovine excrement spread by people who work at auto parts stores or think they are too good to shop at Walmart. I've said this countless times - no manufacturer will tarnish their reputation by making a cheap version of their product. It hurts their overall reputation, it makes zero sense from a manufacturing standpoint, etc. For those that are going to bring up Walmart-specific TVs that are "missing" parts, this is 100% intentional and for cost-savings reasons. They distinguish the model as being different too. The average WM TV buyer doesn't care that the TV has (2) HDMI ports vs (4) like a similar model at Best Buy.

 

[Sayjac]

If the EP at the start of the battery code isn't it then I don't know. That's how I've ID'd them in the past it on WM Everstart. I did notice recently that JCI made Everstart batteries no longer use long time removeable caps. Looks to be no maintenance now. And iirc the code starts with JCI.

 

[cptbarkey]

I stopped buying regular 12 volt car batteries and only buy AGM batteries at Walmart. I had one last quite awhile, so it has been a safe bet since then. I dont really know or care to look into "who" makes them, too much work and not enough benefit. Its probably all done by our Indian fellows anyway, their work is top notch.

 

[Nukeman7]

This has been discussed numerous times. One person said model number starting with EP confirms East Penn. I called EP this morning. They supply batteries to my local Walmart but said model number starting with EP is not confirmation.

I may be the first person to have ever posted on BITOG that the "EP" letters on the WalMart EverStart batteries serial number were manufactured by East Penn. This information was conveyed to me way back around 2005 by a WalMart TLC manager along with the disclosure that "EX" meant Exide and "JC" was Johnson Controls. While the person you spoke with at East Penn may be knowledgeable of their production operations, it is WalMart's internal supply chain and inventory management system that determines how to assign bar codes and serial numbers/SKUs to each product.

You have to see manufacturing sticker stating battery is manufactured by EP.

This is a true statement in that if a battery has this sticker, it is conclusively made by East Penn. I have seen the statement on DEKA and certain AAA labeled batteries. However, East Penn also makes batteries for other brands (e.g., DURACELL, SuperStart, EverStart) that do NOT display that disclosure statement on the sticker.

They also said they do not modify/cheapen batteries to meet Walmart price demands.

True, but East Penn does produce two or three different grades of common size batteries such as Group 24F, 35 and 65. These are marketed as "good/better/best" batteries within a specific label such as the EverStart Value, Plus and Maxx lines found at WalMart. You can confirm they are internally different by the weight of each grade, but must be careful about the advertised CCA rating because those are the minimum specifications.

I gave up on JC (Interstate) batteries decades ago because they always leaked at the posts causing a corrosive mess. Never had a peep of trouble from an EP battery.

I will only purchase a Clarios (formerly Johnson Controls) battery if an EP unit is unavailable. Like you experienced, it is well documented that the terminal post seals will eventually leak acid/corrosive fumes.

 

[artbuc]

Maybe a concern re knock-offs or mislabeling?

If the EP at the start of the battery code isn't it then I don't know. That's how I've ID'd them in the past it on WM Everstart. I did notice recently that JCI made Everstart batteries no longer use long time removeable caps. Looks to be no maintenance now. And iirc the code starts with JCI.

 

[artbuc]

Have had many discussions over the years with EP. I believe they are honest top-shelf company. Yes, believe they would tell me if they cost reduced batteries for Walmart.

That person has to be incorrect with that statement. What else would it mean ?

That's funny that you asked them. Do you think they'd say otherwise ? This controversy is just bovine excrement spread by people who work at auto parts stores or think they are too good to shop at Walmart. I've said this countless times - no manufacturer will tarnish their reputation by making a cheap version of their product. It hurts their overall reputation, it makes zero sense from a manufacturing standpoint, etc. For those that are going to bring up Walmart-specific TVs that are "missing" parts, this is 100% intentional and for cost-savings reasons. They distinguish the model as being different too. The average WM TV buyer doesn't care that the TV has (2) HDMI ports vs (4) like a similar model at Best Buy.

 

[Sayjac]

Maybe a concern re knock-offs or mislabeling?

I suppose anything possible, but I'm very confident the Everstart Maxx a family member purchased, an EP made battery. If 'I' was that concerned of "knock -offs"/mislabeling, I'd look elsewhere for a battery. I've also had excellent results with a JCI made Everstart Value battery as posted HERE.

 

[artbuc]

Walmart confirmed Maxx is EP at my local Walmart.

I suppose anything possible, but I'm very confident the Everstart Maxx a family member purchased, an EP made battery. If 'I' was that concerned of "knock -offs"/mislabeling, I'd look elsewhere for a battery. I've also had excellent results with a JCI made Everstart Value battery as posted HERE.

 

[Sayjac]

Walmart confirmed Maxx is EP at my local Walmart.

Now I'm curious, how did WM confirm it? What did they use to confirm? Or was it just word of mouth by them? JCI used to use the 8-sided elongated caps, so easily identified even without an ID. As noted though, my last trip to WM, JCI/Clarios looks to have gone to no maintenance flat top 'similar to' EP made no maintenance battery top.

 

[artbuc]

Call Walmart corporate. They can and will tell you supplier.

Now I'm curious, how did WM confirm it? What did they use to confirm? Or was it just word of mouth by them? JCI used to use the 8-sided elongated caps, so easily identified even without an ID. As noted though, my last trip to WM, JCI/Clarios looks to have gone to no maintenance flat top 'similar to' EP made no maintenance battery top.

 

[Donald]

I stopped buying regular 12 volt car batteries and only buy AGM batteries at Walmart. I had one last quite awhile, so it has been a safe bet since then. I dont really know or care to look into "who" makes them, too much work and not enough benefit. Its probably all done by our Indian fellows anyway, their work is top notch.

The problem is the availability is spotty.

 

[chexxers]

i believe flooded batteries are just as good or better if they fit ++++if you keep the electrolyte up with DISTILLED water!! + ALL batteries need to be charged externally aka quality charger unless you drive a LOT-LOT!!!!