New Battery

[Doofy]

I purchased a new battery for the Jeep the other day after noticing the old one was going on 8 years old. While doing the research, I noticed that prices have increased drastically and yet, warranties have been reduced. Sign of the times I guess.

At any rate, while prepping and installing, I ran a battery check on it and was amazed by the results. The listed CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) was 690 CCA. My tester stated that it was 885 CCA. Is this odd or normal for a new battery? The battery set outside all night and it was 32 degrees F when I tested it.

Living in a cold climate, the higher a batteries CCA the better the battery and it usually lasts longer. I hope this is the case with this new one.

 

[jyoutz]

I purchased a new battery for the Jeep the other day after noticing the old one was going on 8 years old. While doing the research, I noticed that prices have increased drastically and yet, warranties have been reduced. Sign of the times I guess.

At any rate, while prepping and installing, I ran a battery check on it and was amazed by the results. The listed CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) was 690 CCA. My tester stated that it was 885 CCA. Is this odd or normal for a new battery? The battery set outside all night and it was 32 degrees F when I tested it.

Living in a cold climate, the higher a batteries CCA the better the battery and it usually lasts longer. I hope this is the case with this new one.

I’ve noticed that while battery prices have increased, so has durability. It used to be 3-4 years was all that could be expected from an automotive battery. But as you described, 7-8 years is common nowadays.

 

[RjCorazza]

The new batteries I have tested are generally 10-15% over the specified CCA. I use a MidTronics tester that works very well in assessing battery condition over time.

 

[Doofy]

I've been buying NAPA batteries for the past 35 years and have been mostly content with the power and longevity. I did try one of their Optima Red Top and it barely lasted 2 years. This time around I wanted to try Interstate but my size was not in stock (COSTCO). I then went to Batteries Plus and bought a Duracell Ultra Gold. Time will tell.

Winter is knocking at our door so I will know fairly soon if I should have stuck with NAPA.

 

[drssg]

I had an Optima Yellowtop in my tractor, and that thing lasted for 14 years. It was the best battery I've ever had.

 

[Doofy]

I finally went with NOCO Battery Maintainers. The small 1 amp trickle chargers from NAPA just wouldn't maintain when the temps dropped to -30F. The diesel Plow Truck needs at least a 10 amp trickle charge after plowing to bring the dual batteries back up to a full charge. You live and learn.

 

[Dftodd]

I've been buying NAPA batteries for the past 35 years and have been mostly content with the power and longevity. I did try one of their Optima Red Top and it barely lasted 2 years. This time around I wanted to try Interstate but my size was not in stock (COSTCO). I then went to Batteries Plus and bought a Duracell Ultra Gold. Time will tell.

Winter is knocking at our door so I will know fairly soon if I should have stuck with NAPA.

Good thing you stayed away from interstate. I've had horrible luck with them. There quality ain't what it used to be.

 

[oosik]

Good afternoon Doofy. We don't get near as cold and for as long as you.

I replaced my tractor battery with an Optima. 1150 CCA. So - if we get any snow this winter - the tractor will start easily.

Both Farmers Almanacs say normal temps and wet for our area. The old days of heavy snows are a thing of the past around here.

 

[Doofy]

Good thing you stayed away from interstate. I've had horrible luck with them. There quality ain't what it used to be.

I researched battery brands. One week they are good and the next week they are bad. I guess its just luck of the draw.

 

[Doofy]

Good afternoon Doofy. We don't get near as cold and for as long as you.

I replaced my tractor battery with an Optima. 1150 CCA. So - if we get any snow this winter - the tractor will start easily.

Both Farmers Almanacs say normal temps and wet for our area. The old days of heavy snows are a thing of the past around here.

Greetings oosik! Our snow falls have doubled the past 3 years and the low temps have moderated. Rare to drop below -30 for more than a day or so now. I long for some -65F for an extended period to get rid of the rif raf!

 

[Dftodd]

I researched battery brands. One week they are good and the next week they are bad. I guess its just luck of the draw.

We had them at work for years as a strategic supplier. Got rid of them a couple years ago.

My main issue was their warranty since we are using the batteries in commercial equipment. They won't warranty anything in a commercial vehicle or construction equipment for commercial use.

If I had a premature failure within a couple months, they wouldn't honor the warranty on the battery.

I was getting crap batteries delivered, charged a premium price, and then having to replace the battery at cost when it failed within a couple months.

They use whomever will manufacture the battery for the cheapest price and then slap their sticker on it.

I switched to a different battery vendor and the amount of bad batteries I was getting, cut down to a third of what they were with interstate.

I'm also now getting bad batteries warrantied as long as they have the date sticker still on it.

Just for reference, I work for a rental company, and currently have 200 pieces of equipment in my fleet.

When we had interstate, I had at least a couple service calls a week for bad batteries.

 

[garry1p]

I had a Walmart battery go bad in MS took it to the local WM and they said you have an 800CCA battery and we only sell those from TN north, the strongest battery they had for my vehicle was a 680 CCA. I had no choice at the time and had to take the 680 CCA. I now buy my batteries from NAPA.

 

[ultrarunner]

We had them at work for years as a strategic supplier. Got rid of them a couple years ago.

My main issue was their warranty since we are using the batteries in commercial equipment. They won't warranty anything in a commercial vehicle or construction equipment for commercial use.

If I had a premature failure within a couple months, they wouldn't honor the warranty on the battery.

I was getting crap batteries delivered, charged a premium price, and then having to replace the battery at cost when it failed within a couple months.

They use whomever will manufacture the battery for the cheapest price and then slap their sticker on it.

I switched to a different battery vendor and the amount of bad batteries I was getting, cut down to a third of what they were with interstate.

I'm also now getting bad batteries warrantied as long as they have the date sticker still on it.

Just for reference, I work for a rental company, and currently have 200 pieces of equipment in my fleet.

When we had interstate, I had at least a couple service calls a week for bad batteries.

Sad but mirrors our experience being a reseller at a dealership…

I sold to all
My friends and teachers in high school because I worked at a dealership…

 

[Doofy]

Here is another puzzle...I can buy a 1000 CCA, group 31, Heavy Duty Commercial Battery cheaper than the 690 CCA group 86 battery for my jeep. The Commercial battery is much larger physically and almost twice as heavy. I've dreaded having to replace those 2 Group 31 batteries in the plow truck because I thought they would probably cost $400-$500 each. Makes no sense!

 

[grsthegreat]

I had to replace the AGM battery on my 2020 F150 today. It had a motorcraft agm factory battery that crapped out at 4 years old. They wanted $285 for new one. Thae agm is supposed to be this great long lasting battery…..ya right.

But, i thought i best stick with an agm so i got one from Autozone. Its a duralast battery made by east penn (deka) supposedly. But only has 36 month warranty. $245.00 and 36 months. Rediculous.

But the last interstate i got for my tractor barely made it past 12 months. Was at least replaced under warranty. Im staying away from interstate now.

I ran my midtronics tester on the old battery, 350 CCA on a 760 cca battery. I tested the new 770 cca battery. 1010 CCA. Amazing.

And another reason i hate new fancy vehicles. Who knew that you have to hook the truck up to Forscan to tell the computer you replaced the battery……otherwise it may not know that it was replaced and still shut down things to conserve battery life. Or the fact that now my tire pressure sensors arnt working…..man, i really miss my 1975 F350

 

[Dftodd]

Here is another puzzle...I can buy a 1000 CCA, group 31, Heavy Duty Commercial Battery cheaper than the 690 CCA group 86 battery for my jeep. The Commercial battery is much larger physically and almost twice as heavy. I've dreaded having to replace those 2 Group 31 batteries in the plow truck because I thought they would probably cost $400-$500 each. Makes no sense!

Just a quick Google search on group 86 batteries.

Locally they range from $77 to almost $300 depending in the store, quality, and brand.

Group 31 batteries start locally at $165 and go up to $500 depending on store, brand and quality

 

[oosik]

Ha, ha - Doofy. I remember that one winter we spent in Glennallen. Around Halloween they started packing up and heading south. Quit a few more of the "California Younguns" out in the bush than we ever thought.

I often wondered if they ever made it all the way home. 1965 - the AlCan was a tough route in those days. Especially around Halloween or later.

 

[ponytug]

Here is another puzzle...I can buy a 1000 CCA, group 31, Heavy Duty Commercial Battery cheaper than the 690 CCA group 86 battery for my jeep. The Commercial battery is much larger physically and almost twice as heavy. I've dreaded having to replace those 2 Group 31 batteries in the plow truck because I thought they would probably cost $400-$500 each. Makes no sense!

Group 31s are used in most semis, so there is a large and cost sensitive market. I also think more of the market are repeat customers like you, who keep detailed notes on performance, lifetime costs, and buy accordingly, unaffected by marketing.

I had to replace the AGM battery on my 2020 F150 today. It had a motorcraft agm factory battery that crapped out at 4 years old. They wanted $285 for new one. Thae agm is supposed to be this great long lasting battery…..ya right.

But, i thought i best stick with an agm so i got one from Autozone. Its a duralast battery made by east penn (deka) supposedly. But only has 36 month warranty. $245.00 and 36 months. Rediculous.

But the last interstate i got for my tractor barely made it past 12 months. Was at least replaced under warranty. Im staying away from interstate now.

I ran my midtronics tester on the old battery, 350 CCA on a 760 cca battery. I tested the new 770 cca battery. 1010 CCA. Amazing.

And another reason i hate new fancy vehicles. Who knew that you have to hook the truck up to Forscan to tell the computer you replaced the battery……otherwise it may not know that it was replaced and still shut down things to conserve battery life. Or the fact that now my tire pressure sensors arnt working…..man, i really miss my 1975 F350

You might try a battery blanket on your F-150, if it doesn't already have one. AGMs are generally more resistant to cold and vibration, but heat, and deep discharging them does eat into lifetimes. Is your engine able to charge the battery at idle? We've got one vehicle that I learned the hard way can't actually keep the lights on and charge the battery at idle. (Also a pricey little AGM replacement battery in an obscure group size.)

All the best,

Peter

 

[Doofy]

Just a quick Google search on group 86 batteries.

Locally they range from $77 to almost $300 depending in the store, quality, and brand.

Group 31 batteries start locally at $165 and go up to $500 depending on store, brand and quality

I paid $237 at Batteries Plus for the Group 86 and the price was the same at NAPA. The Group 31, 1000 CCA is $200 at both places also. My 2 Group 31's have been in the plow truck since I bought it in 2006 so they are at least 18 years old. One is a NAPA, one is Interstate. Time for new ones but I'll test them first. I can barely lift these suckers the 50 inches high to install.

 

[Dftodd]

I paid $237 at Batteries Plus for the Group 86 and the price was the same at NAPA. The Group 31, 1000 CCA is $200 at both places also. My 2 Group 31's have been in the plow truck since I bought it in 2006 so they are at least 18 years old. One is a NAPA, one is Interstate. Time for new ones but I'll test them first. I can barely lift these suckers the 50 inches high to install.

I use group 31 and 4D batteries at the shop.

The 4D's suck. They weigh about 80lbs. The last time I had to replace 1. I had to lug it 700ft through mud, and then down a hill to the equipment

Then haul the bad one back to the truck.

I got my cardio in that day