I had my Red Top for 3 years till the cranking amps died....so i settled for a Die Hard Platinum.
Optima Red top leaking????
- Thread starter oilboy123
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My wife and I have gotten 6 to 8 years out of our ford factory batteries. I bought the "best" replacement Motorcraft battery for my '96 Contour and it is no where near as good as the factory battery was. I wonder who makes Ford's OEM's and who makes the replacement Motorcraft batteries?
Whimsey
Whimsey
I've always had very good luck with Johnson Controls batteries. I buy them from a local wholesale battery dealer that has very good prices if you're happy to buy batteries without brand names on them. Luckily I don't have to go there too often.
FWIW, the Chrysler-branded battery I pulled out of my Cherokee was original and lasted 9 years and a few months.
FWIW, the Chrysler-branded battery I pulled out of my Cherokee was original and lasted 9 years and a few months.
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Four year old leaking acid. corroding the battery tray bolts and starting to corrode under the battery on some brakets and a spot on the trans side pan. Dang I thought they were leak proof?
Maybe your voltage regulator has [censored] out.
Four year old leaking acid. corroding the battery tray bolts and starting to corrode under the battery on some brakets and a spot on the trans side pan. Dang I thought they were leak proof?
Maybe your voltage regulator has [censored] out.
Originally Posted By: Saturn_Fan
The CR article does mean something if they specified whether the battery was Exide or JC. Anyone know if the battery they reviewed was a JC?
I wouldn't expect them to know how to tell the difference between an Exide and a Johnson Controls battery unless they happen to find either name on the battery.
Quote:
I simply look at the top sticker and it'll say Johnson Controls right on there.
I've never seen any battery made by Johnson Controls that actually said on the label that it was made by Johnson Controls.
The CR article does mean something if they specified whether the battery was Exide or JC. Anyone know if the battery they reviewed was a JC?
I wouldn't expect them to know how to tell the difference between an Exide and a Johnson Controls battery unless they happen to find either name on the battery.
Quote:
I simply look at the top sticker and it'll say Johnson Controls right on there.
I've never seen any battery made by Johnson Controls that actually said on the label that it was made by Johnson Controls.
Originally Posted By: moribundman
I think we've been over this before. The Exide battery that is made specifically for my car in OEM quality lasted well over six years. It was still fine when I swapped it out for a new Exide prophylactically earlier this year. I don't know about the quality of Exide batteries that are not made to OEM specs.
My Saab 93 has an OE battery, apparently made by Exide according to the service manual. (It says GM on it). It's a group 48 battery.
The Exide group 48 battery sold in the USA is obviously a different design than the OE battery.
Saab dealerships replace the OE battery with a Johnson Controls battery which comes off the Interstate truck (and has Saab stickers instead of Interstate stickers on it).
I think we've been over this before. The Exide battery that is made specifically for my car in OEM quality lasted well over six years. It was still fine when I swapped it out for a new Exide prophylactically earlier this year. I don't know about the quality of Exide batteries that are not made to OEM specs.
My Saab 93 has an OE battery, apparently made by Exide according to the service manual. (It says GM on it). It's a group 48 battery.
The Exide group 48 battery sold in the USA is obviously a different design than the OE battery.
Saab dealerships replace the OE battery with a Johnson Controls battery which comes off the Interstate truck (and has Saab stickers instead of Interstate stickers on it).
Originally Posted By: Whimsey
I wonder who makes Ford's OEM's and who makes the replacement Motorcraft batteries?
Johnson Controls for both. Your Motorcraft replacement battery may have been sitting around for a while before you bought it, and that may have shortened it's life.
Interstate says they rotate their stock to ensure that you get a fresh battery when you buy one.
I wonder who makes Ford's OEM's and who makes the replacement Motorcraft batteries?
Johnson Controls for both. Your Motorcraft replacement battery may have been sitting around for a while before you bought it, and that may have shortened it's life.
Interstate says they rotate their stock to ensure that you get a fresh battery when you buy one.
Originally Posted By: brianl703
I've never seen any battery made by Johnson Controls that actually said on the label that it was made by Johnson Controls.
Not anymore...
"Distributed by Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc.
for Blain Supply, Inc., Janesville WI 53546"
This is a $35 battery, bought it last month. Guess what? I'm not buying anything made by Exide anymore.
I've never seen any battery made by Johnson Controls that actually said on the label that it was made by Johnson Controls.
Not anymore...
"Distributed by Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc.
for Blain Supply, Inc., Janesville WI 53546"
This is a $35 battery, bought it last month. Guess what? I'm not buying anything made by Exide anymore.
Originally Posted By: Whimsey
My wife and I have gotten 6 to 8 years out of our ford factory batteries. I bought the "best" replacement Motorcraft battery for my '96 Contour and it is no where near as good as the factory battery was. I wonder who makes Ford's OEM's and who makes the replacement Motorcraft batteries?
Whimsey
My father in law went 11 years on the original Ford battery and it stilled cranked. He changed it because he thought it was time.
My wife and I have gotten 6 to 8 years out of our ford factory batteries. I bought the "best" replacement Motorcraft battery for my '96 Contour and it is no where near as good as the factory battery was. I wonder who makes Ford's OEM's and who makes the replacement Motorcraft batteries?
Whimsey
My father in law went 11 years on the original Ford battery and it stilled cranked. He changed it because he thought it was time.
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: brianl703
I've never seen any battery made by Johnson Controls that actually said on the label that it was made by Johnson Controls.
Not anymore...
"Distributed by Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc.
for Blain Supply, Inc., Janesville WI 53546"
This is a $35 battery, bought it last month. Guess what? I'm not buying anything made by Exide anymore.
I've got that same battery from Farm and Fleet as well. Excellent value at 35 or so bucks for a great battery!
Originally Posted By: brianl703
I've never seen any battery made by Johnson Controls that actually said on the label that it was made by Johnson Controls.
Not anymore...
"Distributed by Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc.
for Blain Supply, Inc., Janesville WI 53546"
This is a $35 battery, bought it last month. Guess what? I'm not buying anything made by Exide anymore.
I've got that same battery from Farm and Fleet as well. Excellent value at 35 or so bucks for a great battery!
Well 4 years old and offered $20 pro rated credit. I told them no thanks, I just won't be buying them anymore. In the last 7 years I had bought 5 of them for myself and family.
The prices in the last few years have skyrocketed but the quality is just not there. Seems like the demand must be going up, so they are gouging now. I like the AGM concept. But not when it won't last and leaks from the seams and post area.
It should leak out of the vent breather area before it leaks out of a seam?? Stay away from them Please...........The one in my Dad's van seems to be fading voltage wise now as well.
PS I might try another brand of AGM, Odyssey?
The prices in the last few years have skyrocketed but the quality is just not there. Seems like the demand must be going up, so they are gouging now. I like the AGM concept. But not when it won't last and leaks from the seams and post area.
It should leak out of the vent breather area before it leaks out of a seam?? Stay away from them Please...........The one in my Dad's van seems to be fading voltage wise now as well.
PS I might try another brand of AGM, Odyssey?
Just as I have commented in another thread, the Optimas seem to be a hit and miss from our members here. Exide is thought to be junk, but my Orbital manufactured in Spain is starting these cold morning without a problem. I’ll see how long the Orbital will last, going on its 8th year, I may give Odyssey a try. With prices going up across the board there, Odysseys seem to be more favorable as the price difference is closing in. I have a need for closed batteries as I tent to drive in dusty conditions which usually contaminate my electrolyte and cause premature failure. I am also sick of electrolyte spilling and corroding the engine bay, each battery no matter what brand leaked somewhat,
Odyssey does say that their design avoids the six pack dead space which yield higher cranking and reserve specs. I don’t know that many people use them, but that just be my next battery.
Odyssey does say that their design avoids the six pack dead space which yield higher cranking and reserve specs. I don’t know that many people use them, but that just be my next battery.
Optima Yes they SUCK!
Pacific power said they carry a PC 925 battery for $229
But it is a little dinky thing??
These guys have some brands I have never heard of. Full river said companies are pumping out batteries under other brands using the cheapest factory. Optima???? Sounds about right.
http://www.dcbattery.com/power-sonic.html
Pacific power said they carry a PC 925 battery for $229
But it is a little dinky thing??
These guys have some brands I have never heard of. Full river said companies are pumping out batteries under other brands using the cheapest factory. Optima???? Sounds about right.
http://www.dcbattery.com/power-sonic.html
I had 6 years on my original Motorcraft battery. It started my F-150 reliably but was showing it's age. Even having a charger hooked up nightly it couldn't keep up. I bought an Optima red top as a replacement. I even transferred the charger over to it. I did run into a problem once already with playing the radio and not keeping the charger hooked up. I had to call AAA for a jump when it wouldn't start my truck. I would love to put a twin battery kit in but it costs way too much. I opted for the Optima since it's an off road model 4wd and didn't want any spillage from the bumps. It's also giving me a crash course in body repair fixing dents and dings.
I see Sears has the Platinum AGM battery that is about $189 Optima prices are jacked up to that range now so it is in the ballpark. I might try it out, maybe wait until it is on sale. Anybody know who makes it?
I remember buying the red top at Costco for $109 about 3 or 4 years ago, now they are up in the $159-189 range at other stores ouch. I think Costco is at $139 now.
I remember buying the red top at Costco for $109 about 3 or 4 years ago, now they are up in the $159-189 range at other stores ouch. I think Costco is at $139 now.
Talked to the local sears on the phone. They say they stopped selling Optima because of of all the problems. So what does that tell you.......
Time for something new.
Time for something new.
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
I see Sears has the Platinum AGM battery that is about $189 Optima prices are jacked up to that range now so it is in the ballpark. I might try it out, maybe wait until it is on sale. Anybody know who makes it?
I remember buying the red top at Costco for $109 about 3 or 4 years ago, now they are up in the $159-189 range at other stores ouch. I think Costco is at $139 now.
The Sears Platinum battery is made by Enersys, the company that produces the fancy Odyssey batteries=I called Enersys and they confirmed the sears Platinum batteries are identical to the Odyssey,just rebadged for sears.The Platinm battery is the Odyssey model pc-1500 with Sears cosmetics{grey case and sears label} Quite the bargain as the identical Odyssey branded battery usually sells for almost $300!!!! Consumer Reports has rated the Platinum/Odyssey battery the best they have ever tested both last year{when I bought mine}, and again this year{look for their Nov.08 issue for the test results} Go to http://www.odysseyfactory.com to read all about them, pretty impressive batteries.
I see Sears has the Platinum AGM battery that is about $189 Optima prices are jacked up to that range now so it is in the ballpark. I might try it out, maybe wait until it is on sale. Anybody know who makes it?
I remember buying the red top at Costco for $109 about 3 or 4 years ago, now they are up in the $159-189 range at other stores ouch. I think Costco is at $139 now.
The Sears Platinum battery is made by Enersys, the company that produces the fancy Odyssey batteries=I called Enersys and they confirmed the sears Platinum batteries are identical to the Odyssey,just rebadged for sears.The Platinm battery is the Odyssey model pc-1500 with Sears cosmetics{grey case and sears label} Quite the bargain as the identical Odyssey branded battery usually sells for almost $300!!!! Consumer Reports has rated the Platinum/Odyssey battery the best they have ever tested both last year{when I bought mine}, and again this year{look for their Nov.08 issue for the test results} Go to http://www.odysseyfactory.com to read all about them, pretty impressive batteries.
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I wanted Optima's biggest battery they make but it is made for the military only. I don't think they have problems.
ThirdYe,
The original Integra battery was made by Panasonic in Japan, now its Johnson Controls that make the Acura/Honda battery sold here in the USA.
Off Topic:
But the original battery in our 1998 Honda had a Panasonic battery and it lasted 8 years by me just adding some water once a year.
The original Integra battery was made by Panasonic in Japan, now its Johnson Controls that make the Acura/Honda battery sold here in the USA.
Off Topic:
But the original battery in our 1998 Honda had a Panasonic battery and it lasted 8 years by me just adding some water once a year.
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