[DM3]

Need to purchase a new battery. Before I just walk into a auto store and buy whatever they have in stock, I figured I would ask for battery recommendations and why.

Thanks

[GoGoat]

FYIW, I have 2 cars that were having hot restart issues. I thought it was the starters ( gear reduction types). 468 ci. I put a 800 amp cranking battery in and fixed probelm. Carqwest $190 w/tax. Thru a friends mechancal shop. Hope this helps.

[DM3]

Thanks

[R 70 Judge]

I'd recommend the largest AGM battery you can fit. I use Northstar AGMs in all of my cars. They have been rebranded under the name Odessey Extreme.

They are pricey though. The motor spins over faster with an AGM vs traditional battery

https://batteryguys.com/collections/...ar-nsb-agm-24f
https://batteryguys.com/products/ody...m-31m-pc2150st

[78w72]

AGM are great but pricey... If on a budget and a normal type battery is acceptable for the use I have had very good experience with walmart batteries, they are made by the same place that makes many other brands, have a good warranty and are priced better than the big name brands.

Project farm on youtube did a good test of batteries and the walmart ones did as good or even better in some aspects as the more expensive brands. The value models can last almost as long as the upper end ones, I have a walmart in my daily driver SUV dated 5/17 thats still working great but will be replaced this year before winter.

[george kujanski]

Last I heard, there are 2 automotive battery manufacturers in the US and they use different brand names. I don't know if the different brands are better or worse quality-wise.

The biggest differential in batteries, I would say is between std lead-acid types and the AGM types.

In any case, I always buy the highest CCA value available in a case size that will fit in my car. Here in the midwest, winter weather can be below-zero temps so CCA is important. -25F occurs sometimes. Our Canadian friends probably can share some stories also.

George

[jhein]

I use Napa. I think their batteries are about as good as any other brand. As said, they are only made in a couple places in the US, albeit to different specs for each brand. But, the other reason is their customer service. I had an electrical problem that killed two brand new batteries in like a week's time. I told the guy what was happening and that they weren't defective batteries and that I wasn't trying to make a warranty claim. But they replaced them both free of charge. I actually felt bad about it, but not bad enough to say no. Not saying all Napa stores would do that but that's what I have here.

[Tarl]

Just don't use an older charger on the AGMs, they require newer ones so they won't overcharge and kill the battery,

[sdbob]

I been using Interstate. My local tire shop recommended them ,soooooo. I was using NAPA(tire shop buys there buttt issues with parts). However I've had some issues with some of their partsalsoGood luck.

[RocktimusPryme]

AGMs are cool. I have an Optima in my firebird, but they are by no means necessary. My 62 has a normal lead acid battery and there is no real difference in performance day to day.

If you live in an area that has Rural King stores, their batteries are very difficult to beat on price. Ive used half a dozen in different vehicles.

[Verdoro 68]

I've been getting batteries from Costco (they sell Interstate). We picked one up for my son's Ventura recently. IIRC they wanted $250 at the parts store vs it $175-ish at Costco. Never really had a need to go with a fancy AGM battery.

[Don 79 TA]

I love the oddessy i have in my TA. only problem is i order from summit or jegs, so if there's an issue just something to think about return wise. i have to admit the current one i have now is 6 years old and still kicks hard..... i think they are now $400ish or more..... OUCH
i like the hit the agms give, downside is, at least in my experiences with the various AGMs, is that when they go..... they go lol
i will say the AGM didn't work well for my jetski, i land really hard, and they have broken internally... NOT fun when out in the water..... that dreaded click-click after a hard landing always pissed me off.... again i land extremely hard
also, make sure you get the acid washers or spray the terminal tops
i've had ok luck with the Optimas too, i'm getting 3 years in my daily's on them, but i'm in the dessert
I'm leery on forking out the funds on Li batteries right now, those brallie ones are like 2-3k..... there are some cheaper ones too
i'd say get locally, in the event you have an issue you have a course of action you can take
just my thoughts...... i know.... who cares lol

[Dragncar]

Get the correct battery number you need.
Go down to your local wrecking yard and find a perfectly fine high end battery less than a year old for 40 $
Thats how I do it if I can find the right one.
Just did it for the Tundra but had to buy new for the Volvo and went to Wall Mart for it. 114 $
Not spending 200$ for a battery which is not hard to do at a parts store.

[steve25]

Keep in mind that a 800 CCA battery needs the positive and negative cables of gauge sufficient to carry that current to make use of it..

[hojs69]

Odessey Extreme here also.

[78w72]

Heres the test I mentioned above... best value by far is the walmart ever start batteries. Made by the same place that makes many others but performs better for less $$.

For classic cars that arent daily drivers during winter or see cold temps, CCA numbers dont matter much, I rarely if ever drive my classic cars in below 32°.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7rTcBanpMk

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by 78w72

Heres the test I mentioned above... best value by far is the walmart ever start batteries. Made by the same place that makes many others but performs better for less $$.

For classic cars that arent daily drivers during winter or see cold temps, CCA numbers dont matter much, I rarely if ever drive my classic cars in below 32°.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7rTcBanpMk

Having been through the Johnson Controls facility in St. Joeseph, MO, I have more knowledge than most on batteries, but am not an expert.

The person who made this video lost all credibility when he stated the first two batteries were exactly the same as they looked identical other than the stickers.

Johnson Controls makes batteries to the specifications of the company that orders them. The day I was there, I saw ACDelco, Interstate, Motorcraft as well as other brands being made. All were made at that plant, but were done on separate production lines to different, proprietary, specifications.

I know that ACDelco has their own proprietary paste used in the manufacture of their batteries. I know that the plate thickness is different in their Advantage, Silver and Gold level batteries. They may look identical except for the stickers, but they are different internally.

The next issue is his focus on CCA. This is a highly overrated specification. More important is the Reserve Capacity - the ability of the battery to deliver power for longer periods of time.

A 500 CCA battery is strong enough to start a 500 CI V8.

[78w72]

The person didnt lose all credibility from that comment IMO... I didnt take that comment to mean they were exactly the same internally, pretty sure he meant they "look" identical besides the sticker. Since the specs are different I doubt he thought they were the same internally. And that doesnt change the fact that the walmart battery performed better or very close as most the other lead acid brands but costs less. I paid attention to the test results more than 1 generic comment.

CCA is also not overrated, it determines how a battery will perform in below freezing temps, which matters a lot for daily drivers in cold winter climates, dont matter how long a battery can provide adequate power above freezing if it cant provide enough power to start the car below freezing.

A 500 CCA battery has a much lower CA, I would not want to use that small of a battery for any reliable starting of a performance based higher compression engine, maybe a stock 8:1 one 500ci would use 500CCA. My 10.7:1 467 stroker engine with a gear reduction mini starter will barely turn over with a little 500cca battery. Most places recommend 700-800CCA for a stock 8.2 engine.

[ZeGermanHam]

I have had good experience so far with the Optima Red in my '66. You can purchase a Group 35 size 720cca from O'Reilly auto for $269.99 + $18 core. Since it's O'Reilly, you can return in-store anywhere if you encounter an issue.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...+RED3478&pos=0

[Formulas]

Originally Posted by Tarl

Just don't use an older charger on the AGMs, they require newer ones so they won't overcharge and kill the battery,

What keeps this from happening in a 1970 auto ?