[GT182]

I just changed out an InterstateMTP24 1000CCA battery, due to a dead cell, last week and went to an Excide 800 CCA battery. I put the Interstate in back on 2008 and it lasted 11 years. The Excide doesn't fit as good as the Interstate but it cranks over the engine better, and it has a 40 month warranty.

[Chief of the 60's]

[TAKerry]

Not even sure whats in my t/a, guess I should go look at it , I get batteries from Auto Zone too often, not sure if theyre store lable or a brand name. I buy the next to top quality or what they have in stock. I go through 1 about every 2 years on my wifes Mercedes. If the car sits for more than a couple of weeks the battery dies!

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by TAKerry

Not even sure whats in my t/a, guess I should go look at it , I get batteries from Auto Zone too often, not sure if theyre store lable or a brand name. I buy the next to top quality or what they have in stock. I go through 1 about every 2 years on my wifes Mercedes. If the car sits for more than a couple of weeks the battery dies!

In defense to even the cheapest batteries these days, cars are over-computerized and are constantly drawing battery power even when off. It is not uncommon for a modern car to drain a battery in a few weeks if not used. When my cars "sit", I disconnect the battery.

[TAKerry]

DUH, I never really though of that, disconnect switch may be the way to go. Its not as bad in the summer, winter is much worse.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by TAKerry

DUH, I never really though of that, disconnect switch may be the way to go. Its not as bad in the summer, winter is much worse.

That is why I get so much life out of my batteries. Now, I do have a few cars that I don't have any battery in because I just gave up buying one for a car I don't know when I am going to drive again. I have one car that has not been out since the 1999 POCI convention.

[66sprint6]

What is the Group/size for a '66 A-body? A friend gave me the battery that's in mine and it works well, but I had to put something under it to make it work with the bracket.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by 66sprint6

What is the Group/size for a '66 A-body? A friend gave me the battery that's in mine and it works well, but I had to put something under it to make it work with the bracket.

The catalog is showing 24 for V8 and 22F for 6 cylinder.

[GT182]

Interstate's warranty isn't as good these days as it was 10 years ago... the truth is it's due to the distributor we have here. Others might be better, but the one here has the whole state of Delaware tied up and in his pockets.

[66sprint6]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

The catalog is showing 24 for V8 and 22F for 6 cylinder.

Thank you.

[form74]

My Sears Battery has been in my Formula since 2011 , every year I have to trickle charge it to get it going as the car sits from mid December to mid March, I'm shocked it still works.

My car trailer battery is a Duralast , it came with the trailer , it has a date of 2010 and still works but also needs to trickle charged in the spring, my truck charges it while it running.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by TAKerry

DUH, I never really though of that, disconnect switch may be the way to go. Its not as bad in the summer, winter is much worse.

One thing I must add to disconnecting the battery. Be certain the car you are disconnecting the battery on does not have electronic door handles or you could have a real problem getting in.

Case in point, my Dodge Magnum has an electronic handle on the rear gate. Well, guess where the battery is on that car?

[ta6point6]

A battery disconnect switch and a trickle charger when battery sits for a long time will make any battery last a long long time. I buy cheap walmart batteries 49.99 and have lasted many years this way. Lets face it most early engines do not require much in the way of CCA unless you live in Alaska. I have not put a tickle charger on Trans Am battery, just a jump pack to start with no problem. The camping van sits outside and needs a trickle charger or it will kill batteries quick.

[Chief of the 60's]

Battery production date is 12/03

Installed early 3/04

Was not used for the past 1-1/2 to 2 years.

Has not and has never been on any battery maintaining device but is always completely disconnected from the negative post (no disconnect switch)

Has no problem cranking over 562 horse with 12.85:1 CR

The pictures tell the rest of the story don't it?

[SRR]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99oGcq4-t-4

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

Chief, That black Interstate battery would look fine in our old Pontiacs if you peeled all the labels. Interesting, the black Interstate batteries must be new to their production. The two batteries I just replaced today and mentioned in my previous post were dated 11/2017 and were the typical Interstate white case with the bright green top.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

Chief, That black Interstate battery would look fine in our old Pontiacs if you peeled all the labels. Interesting, the black Interstate batteries must be new to their production. The two batteries I just replaced today and mentioned in my previous post were dated 11/2017 and were the typical Interstate white case with the bright green top.

This is what they actually look like. I believe they told me they no long make them in their traditional green. I am going to kind of miss that. Seeing that bright green under the hood tells me the guy did not take the cheap way out when it came to buying a battery for his vehicle.

[Firedup6975]

DEKA, but I do have a battery disconnect key, plus I keep it on a battery tender all the time when it’s in the garage. I have a place here called Battery Warehouse, they sell batteries for everything! Best prices, look them up online. plus my battery topper fits perfectly.

[70oldgoat]

I have no vested interest in Optima batteries or Battery Tenders.

Having said that...

I have four Optima batteries (one GTO, one Chev P/U and two in a boat).
I also have two sealed reproduction batteries from Antique Auto Battery (do not know who makes them)..

I have used Battery Tenders on all of my batteries religiously for several years. I hook 'em up after every use and walk away. Boat batteries (crank and trolling motor) might go 4-5 months before I use them.

All my stuff starts when I turn the key (knock on wood)…

[lemansboy70]

Just as an aside. I'm sure many of you already know this, but do you know to look at the end of a battery to determine its true age? Most manufacturers use a round decal with a letter and a number. The letter is the month. The number is the year.

I looked at a car a couple years ago where the seller told me he had just installed a new battery. The dates on the top hadn't been punched out. I looked at the end and told him he got ripped off 'cuz the battery was 4 years old! It also had a rusty Fram oil filter on it and tractor type radiator hoses, so I passed.