1971 442 w/ original 445.

Just swapped out my third battery under warranty, each of the previous two lasted about a year, in a mild climate. Walmart tester says bad battery, and manager and customer service staff care about as much as the dead battery did. “Go grab another”, apparently must happen quite often. No upgraded option available, just the maxx 34.

Driven three days a week. Occasionally tended with Noco genius2 if not driven for 3 to 5 days.

Looking at O’Reilly’s AGM for my next one, but curious what others are using.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, think I had the same battery for about 5 years in my 72 V code 442, back in the day.
Yes the starter was another issue, but I could always park on a hill, so that was easily rectified.

 

I consistently get 9-10yrs out of the Walmart batteries, Maxx group 24F. It's a bit taller than yours but a more heavier duty. Have you checked your charging system to ensure it's working right?

 

Last I checked the Wally Worlt batteries were among the highest rated lowest price.
I'd rather shove a fork in my eye vs standing in any Wally return line.

Interstate is all I use as I have a distributor down the road and a DBA account. Pull into the garage, they do all the lifting, tickle the battery, clean the posts and send me down the road with a set of felt anti corrosion azzholes. I can grab "blems" for 30% off. Any battery distributor will have those.

I'd be suspect of your charging system.
If its overcharging it could be cooking the battery which will significantly decrease its life. Undercharging will kill it too just take longer.
Test your system and clean both ends of both secondary cables(big wires). clean the primary charging wire connections (little wires on the alternator horn relay etc).

 

Several years ago I read on here that Walmart batteries were one of the best. I have them in all four vehicles and get excellent service out of them. I even have one in my lawn tractor.

 

I use Walmart batteries whenever possible in my vehicles. They have performed well for me and Walmart has been quick to replace one that was in the last month of its warranty period. For the lawn tractor, I currently have a battery from Tractor Supply which I believe is made for them by Interstate.

 

What is there, 2 battery manufacturers left? Walmart are about the cheapest and I find them OK, got 3 years out of my last one. I with the CT AGM just for the 5 year warranty in my Olds. Our Challenger's battery is still original, coming up on 9 years. I wish replacement batteries lasted 5 years, pretty much a fantasy these days.

 

I can't bring myself to even turn around in a walmart parking lot, let alone go inside the damn store.

 

Tend to agree w/ you - either Exide Industries or East Penn Manufacturing.

 

For clarity...Interstate does not manufacture any batteries. Interstate batteries are primarily manufactured via East Penn Manufacturing. Interstate distributes & markets batteries - that is all.

 

If you mean on this continent, count these in...

1) EnerSys makes TPPL and Lithium-Ion batteries. Their headquarters are in Reading PA and their plants are in Springfield and Warrensburg MO, France, and UK.

2) Clarios makes the six-pack-shaped TPPL batteries and three sizes of conventionally-shaped TPPL batteries in Monterrey MX. The headquarters are in Glendale WI and they also have plants in Europe.

There are probably others that are not coming to mind just now.

 

Clarios, used to be Johnson Controls makes Walmart lead acid batteries.

 

Thanks for the input guys, will recheck the wiring/charging system this week.

Any input /comments in regards to lead acid versus AGM?

Thanks again

 

I used to use Wally batteries in everything. I've had an Optima Red Top in my '72 Cutlass for several years. It does not get driven nearly enough lately. However, I do disconnect the battery when the car sets in the garage.

 

Redtop's aren't getting a lot of consumer love lately.

 

I prefer AGM in motorcycles & riding ZTR lawn mower equipment because they don't succumb to vibrations like lead acid - they're more expensive but last longer, IMO.

I prefer old fashioned lead acid in automobiles/trucks.

Do check battery charging system daily for several days period of time. Engine running at idle should produce between 13.8VDC - 14.4VDC - normally & optimally ~14.2VDC. With car off, check battery voltage over several days of non-use to see if perhaps you might have any form of parasitic draw. Good Luck.

 

Versus traditional flooded lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries have:

• Three times the life under repeated charge/discharge conditions (one reason police car outfitters choose them)
• Longer life in general, some say double, I found about 50%
• Better performance in very cold weather
• Hold a charge three or more times longer when stored
• End-of-life is apparent from slower cranking, they don't suddenly leave you stranded (another reason they are used in police cars)
• Leakproof design avoids corrosion under the battery
• Sealed design avoids acid mist emission, which means no rusting on surrounding metal surfaces
• Double the cost
• They require a charger with an AGM-specific mode

I use them in my Vista Cruiser because I'm so done with rust repair.

 

That's a bummer

I use a battery charger on both my 71 98 and my 86 Ford F250.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...er/shu0/sc1299

 

Just replaced my AGM battery in my 2014 Ford F-150, it lasted 6 years, not bad. I went with a Motorcraft battery this time around due to Ford having a big special, but 3 years from now I'm sure I will regret doing that........

 

https://www.autoweek.com/gear/g35472...-from-experts/

 

I have feeling Clarios supplies a lot of the OEM batteries, according to them, 1 in 3 vehicles and why they greatly out last the replacement batteries. Enersys looks like more advanced replacement batteries. Talking the vast majority of the batteries but good to know about these two. My Challenger is at 9 years, last one was at 7 years, before I traded it in. I bet the AGM that will replace it will fail within the 5 year warranty period.

 

I haven't had real good luck with AGM batteries. They haven't lasted any longer than lead acid for me.

 

On average AGM batteries will last significantly longer. It is a superior design.

 

I've been having pretty good luck the past few years with the Napa Legend batteries. I just recently picked up another one for my '94 GMC. A bit pricey but some (not all) of them are made in USA.

 

I went with an AGM due to the better design, in theory and the added warranty. The gap in price has shrunk between the two as well. I like not having a flooded battery, especially in a trunk application like my Challenger.

 

Same for me. 10 yr old Wally battery replaced with AGM from Sam's (Duracell) that lasted 3 yrs. 2 going on 3 yrs now on newer Wally.
I went with the AGM because I wanted to avoid any battery maintenance trouble on my '59 Apache where I custom mounted it under the pass. side floorboard.
I have had the Apache since 1983, did the under floor mount in 2010.

 

I had a factory Delco AGM go south on me in 2.75 years.Shorted out. I have an Interstate grp 24 MTP (pro series) SLA in my Cutlass 6 years and it sits quite often. I am dealer for Interstate batteries.
I also have a SLA Delco in my Alero going on six years.

Pat

 

East Penn Corp. batteries are the best. I spent close to 40 years building, operating, and repairing fishing boats and the Yachts of the Rich But Not So Famous. I have replaced so many batteries that my back is still complaining 6 years after I retired. East Penn house brand is Deka, when I was still working West Marine batteries were East Penn Manufactured along with NAPA. When I was still working I was told that East Penn was the only battery manufactured in the US of A. AGM batteries ( Advanced Glass Mat) will stand up in a rough inviroment of vibrations and shocks to the vehicle that they are in more so than regular lead acid. Lead Acid batteries have more Cold Cranking Amps than comparable AGM size batteries. It was my experience that AGM cost almost twice what Lead Acid but would last Twice as long with Zero Maintenance. My last NAPA group 24 Marine battery lasted 6 years in my 67 Olds 442. I replaced it because it had lasted way past it's experation date but still use it for jump starting. East Penn or Deka.

 

I don't buy battery's anymore. I use Delco 42 month units and my buddy replaces them at 41 months under warranty.

 

Good info, really appreciate the input.

Another disappointment from Walmart (in addition to their apathy) was the automotive manager telling me the replacement battery does not have a three year warranty, it doesn’t reset. So when this battery goes bad in 11 months they prorate.

Not sure that’s true but absolutely will verify - if Walmart is still in the picture for my next battery replacement.

 

I just had one of these NAPA batteries last less than two years in my 87 Mustang. The car probably has less than 100 miles on it in that period.

I stopped at NAPA today to see if there's anything they'd do (they didn't). I bought it in April of 2024 and it had an 18 month warranty. I got nothing except a new AAA battery with a 3 year warranty for less money than I paid for the NAPA battery.

 

My Daughter's boyfriend is a Ford guy and his Mother is a service writer at the dealership. He had two Ford batteries die within a year, twice. Second time, they would not cover it, despite the warranty. He went elsewhere for the third battery, which is doing fine.

 

Toyota comes with the best batteries. My sons 2013 Tundra is still on its original battery. 350,000 kilometres on it. the Toyota true start batteries have an 84 month warranty

the local wrecking yard here sells used Toyota batteries for the price of a new battery.

you put your name on a wait list for one of them.

 

jeez, it’s almost like they want you to keep coming back to shop there while you pick up a replacement battery.
they make more money on you shopping while repeatedly going back to get a new battery that they don’t make any money on.

 

I've used about a 1/2-dozen or so WM Maxx batteries in various cars over the years. Most lasted at least a year longer then their derated warranty. The only issue I had was the 2nd Maxx battery purchased for our '13 SRX (which was hard enough on batteries as it is). It worked fine initially, then after about 2 mos. after purchase, it left us stranded at Costco. Jumped it to get us home, then put the Maxx battery on my 6A charger overnight. Next day it started, but I could tell it was severely struggling to crank and the radio presets all reset each time I tried to start the car (significant voltage drop while cranking). Took it back to WM for exchange and they tested it and it measured "OK" for them, so they refused to exchange it for me. Went down to Advanced Auto and had them test the Maxx battery and it failed for them. So I purchased a new battery from Adv Auto, took the Maxx back to WM, showed them the bad test from AA and requested a return and got my $$ back. Lack of customer support and honesty cost WM a sale.