Car Battery Recommendations

My last two car batteries have been Motorcraft because I have been driving Ford trucks. Last truck was 6 years old with original battery that would crank the truck with just a bump from the key when I traded it in. My current truck I bought brand new and is 7 years old and about a month ago got sluggish turning the engine over. I got it tested and was told it had a bad cell and replaced it.

I also have a 10" sub in my truck with a 400 W Alpine amp and play music quite a bit. The doors get left open and loud music played for extended periods of time while tail gating at football games. I have ran it dead a few times and that heavy use combined with our hot Florida weather and I'm completely happy with 7 years.

I don't know if Motorcraft just gets the lowest bidder to make their batteries or if there is one company that makes them but my sample size of two has been pretty good.
 
Generally the extras you guys are talking about aren't necessarily taxing on the battery, they're taxing on the alternator. The battery has a part, but the alternator has more of an influence on voltage sag and running extras like amps, lighting, etc...
The higher the CCA (cold cranking amps), the better the ability to crank your starter over when it's cold.
There's a large distinction between having large power RESERVES, and a large ability to SUPPLY power. The battery stores the power, the alternator supplies it.
 
When I power my radio with the doors open it is with the engine off. The battery is the only thing supplying the juice for the amp. Of coarse when the engine is running there will be little load on the battery. But when I can play loud music and bass for nearly two hours and the truck still starts at the end I'm happy. Especially when it can do it when the battery is over 5 years old which is when most wear out and die. Even if it is just an OEM Motorcraft battery.
 
Careful doing that, it can fry your amp and sub.

As the voltage gets lower the amps go up and everything works harder and hotter. You are also causiing distortion in the sub and that alone will damage the coil.
 
Yeah I know it is not great for the system and I have had to replace a couple 10" subs over the years. But that Alpine amp has been used a lot and still works great.

I also don't do that nearly as much as my tastes in music have changed the last couple years and I also no longer drink while tail gating which is when it would normally get forgotten about. Lots of other things to catch your attention on a college campus on game day than thinking about cranking the engine every 20 minutes.

It still impressed me that the battery could handle it and keep coming back year after year. I've been driving for 16 years and only used 3 batteries in 3 different vehicles. I guess I'm actually on my 4th battery since I had to replace mine about a month ago.
 
Interstate... current one in my 2002 F250 is now just a tad over 5 years old... I run extra lights and a good size Alpine amp.

Ski
 
This Saturday is shopping day for me. I'm heading to Costco and see what they have on hand. I will be staying away from the Optima batteries. Thanks for the info on those, you saved me money and broken blood vessels. It's going to boil down to availability and price (Interstate vs ACDelco vs Duralast). Who will win this battle for free reign of my Civics engine compartment? We will soon find out!

I'm also going to stop by Sears and get a portable jump starter do-hickie that the Noodleman suggested. It's money in the bank anyway, since we never know when we get stuck and it does grind on the nerves when you find yourself stranded. Again, thanks to everyone for their opinions and recommendations - much appreciated ;)
 
I gotta agree with the Motorcraft Ford batteries, most Ford batteries have lasted 5-6 years in my cars, granted they've all been Fords.

Exide, Interstates and YUSAs have all been good to me.
 
I've replaced two batteries recently. I chose a Delco 6 yr for the Vette, that was $130.00 but I installed it myself. This battery was very highly rated on other forums and has a great warranty.

For my Rubicon I went with an Interstate, bought at my local tire shop. I paid $135.00 installed. I went this way because they'll help with warranty if I have failure. Having a winch voids battery warranties in most cases.

I was really thinking Optima for the Jeep but couldn't justify it based on so many complaints.

Win
 
Some battery tips for what they're worth:

On cold mornings/days when it's freezing or below, turn on your headlights for a minute or so, then turn off, and hit start. The rather small current 'draw' from the lights lets the battery warm up internally and it can then provide more energy.

On hot days, start the car, step out and leave the door open because it's probably like an oven in the car. Let it idle for a minute or so with the dash control on 'vent' so it can blow out some of the heat. Then turn the AC on but to low and not full bore at first. Again, eases the load on the battery.

If you sometimes leave the vehicle sitting for a number of days, get one of the $20 12 volt, 1.8 watt solar cells and mount in on your dash. Keeps the batter topped up and replaces the energy lost to the vehicle computer which is on all the time. And, if you run radio transmitters, high wattage sound systems, etc., get a heavy duty alternator.

Finally, a battery does NOT store electricy. There is none inside the battery. What really happens is a charge current changes the chemical balance of acid to water (or other chemicals) inside the battery, and a 'load' on the battery causes the chemical action to reverse with the by product being electricity. When the plates or cells in the battery have endured all of this chemical 'packman' they can, dead it goes.
 
http://www.galttech.com/research/cars/buy-car-battery.php
"The majority of car batteries are created by 3 manufacturers - JCI, East Penn, Exide and Johnson Controls Industries (they bought out Delphi). Delphi makes some EverStart models sold in Walmart and ACDelco. Johnson Control Industries makes Duralast seen in Autozone stores, Diehard - sold in Sears, Kirkland - the Costco brand, Motorcraft - which Ford sells, some of the EverStarts, and Interstate. Exide makes Exide batteries, Champion, Napa and even a % of the EverStart batteries."

I needed up with an Auto Zone Gold Top. I looked for the "manufactured on" sticker. I got a SEP2010 stickered one. WHen I dropped the battery in, I immediately noticed a difference when I turned on my car. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top