My mechanic carries Interstate battery, are there better choices?
 

I'm first going to get the battery checked. My car has not any power for two days. I jumped it and let it run for about 1 hour after the first day. Logically, and hopefully it's just the battery. The PO had it sitting for awhile.
My mechanic carries Interstate batteries. Direct replacement. Are there some better choices? Lightweight choices? I hear people talking about Optima and Odyssey.

Odyssey are definitely lightweight. Optima's are good, too. However, if you can get a good deal on an Interstate from your friend, go for it.

Interstate has had a great reputation, however I have switched to Wal Mart due to the awesome guarantee.

Diverdan

I use Interstate, I like them. If you are looking to save some weight go with something else, if you just need a solid batt. go with the Interstate

You won't go wrong with the Interstate battery. I changed to an Odyssey to save weight since my car is used on the race track. Rennline sells some nice mounting kits.

Interstate in my SC since 02 AT least .5 yrs still going strong.

Interstate is a good battery, however, a weak battery may be a symptom not the real problem (and don't rely on your alternator to recharge a badly discharged battery, it will take a very long time and it's hard on the alternator use a real battery charger). If the battery is more than 3-4 years old I'd just replace it, but do check the alternator out-put at the battery with a VOM, you may also have an alternator or regulator problem. Your '79 will have an external regulator unless the alternator was "up-dated" to the newer internal regulator type (which requires a resistor in parallel with the indicator light to excite the alternator). Be sure the drive belt is properly tightened and all electrical connections and grounds are clean and sound. Do a search on this board there are a number of good descriptions on checking the charging system.

Good luck,

Jerry M
'78 SC

According to Consumer Reports Interstate is lagging. The Sears battery always gets a good nod, Wal Mart, too. For the money IS costs, I'd look further. Only 3 battery manufacturers make all the brands.

From Yahoo shopping:


"Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries. Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names.

Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models. Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts."

I think I remember that the Exide group tended to be better, but it depends on the specs used for the individual brand.

On the internet, there's always someone who lives, eats and breathes a topic, with a site or blog that had more information than any normal human could want. For batteries, it's this guy:

http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/batbrand.htm

Does anyone know if the smaller batteries that are sold at Wal Mart, that say they are for motorcycles or ATV's, will work? Having done a search I know that Jack Olsen uses, if I remember correctly, a wheelchair battery. Just wonder if one of those would be a substitute for the Odyssey at a lower cost.

I bought a battery at Costco. Perfect fit. Great price. Great warranty. I didn't care about the weight, and just wanted a battery that would get the job done. The Costco battery has been perfect so far.

Scott

Optima is all I use.

I've had one for 8 years. Used it in three different cars. Sucker wont die.

Nobody is mentioning the MOST IMPORTANT consideration in choosing a pre 964 era 911 battery: No battery acid in the front fender areas means no rust & corrosion problems there.
That is why many of us use Odyssey, Optima, WestCo, and other Gel Cell types.
I personally think they are better for weekend/occasional use cars anyway..:cool:

I use a miata gell battery, small & light weight and it fits in a nice Wevo battery box. I use a Optima in my 986 and it is also a good battery but I like the gell as it stores better.

I used the battery shown on Baker's page in the center on the '71 S Ragamuffin. Still have one from the 914 race car sitting here which is four years old and still works great, just no car to put it in at the present time (the Carrera has some big sucker in it, but I have other priorities on that car).The Baker batteries are the same as an Odessy, AFA I can see. According to Baker, Robbie Gordon uses them in his Baja truck and they do that deal well. (Well, they'd have to, lot at stake these days.)

Conventional lead/acid batteries are all about the same quality and are sold based on warranty or capacity. Find the best price for the longest warranty with the amp hours you need. The Optimas are different; you pay a price for compact size.
Whatever battery you pick, make sure to get a battery tender to protect your investment if the car is not driven daily or is stored for winters. I've still got the humongous locomotive battery that came with my 911; when it dies I'll probably go for something a little more compact.

Regards,

Had an Interstate. I replaced it after about 5 1/2 yrs because it seemed it was time. I just noticed I've had my current Sears for about 6 1/4 yrs so I think I'll replace that soon. Both were fine w/ no problems.

Great replies guys. Thanks for all the info. I hate to say this though, but I think the problem all along was a dome light turned on. I remember checking for all the lights but, I don't know?
I had the battery checked and it was pulling like 12.5 amps, should be fine. We'll see if the battery dies again, but I am embarrased but relieved that I might have just overlooked the dome light being switched to the on position.
BUT hey when I do change the battery, I have more info.:rolleyes:

I have been told that a gel cell such as the Odyssey PC680 may not be well suited for cold climates. That said, I love mine. And, living in SoCal, cold is not an issue.

The PC680 replaced the 45lb monster that came standard in my 1987 Carrera. The Odyssey weighs only 12.5lbs!

One has to either buy or fabricate a mounting bracket and a special battery charger is necessary in the event of the battery needing charging. A "standard" battery charger will not supply the volume of charge the gel cells require. I have an ACI charger. It is a very nice match for the PC680. I love it!

Mike

Now 32-33lbs is significant to come off of one corner no? That sounds like a good weight loss. Any thought about how it comes off one corner opposed to centrally.
Is there a kit to mount the Odyssey battery?

I really like the Optima as well.

I've gotten 3 prices for batteries from the same shop.

Sears $99.

Interstate $150

Delco $200

He had a Sears battery in stock however it didn't have the tabs on the end for the hold down bracket. I was told that is the replacement for Porsche. I'm probably going for the Intsrstate battery.

I think I paid $60 US for the Costco battery, and it fit perfectly. Sounds like you're getting hit with a "Porsche Tax."

Last time I checked, The Optima @ Costco was around $100.

Owners with late 911s (SC and Carreras); don't fall into the false hope your galvanized chassis is impervious to the effects of battery electrolyte (aka sulfuric acid). It just takes time unless the battery is a sealed type (Odyssey, Optima or equivalent).

MHO,
Sherwood

what are the other (cheaper) sealed types?

Costco might be better in your area, but we've found their tires and batteries to be loss leader JUNK, more trouble than it's worth.

Yeah, they offer a warranty, but you should ask about the specific details; I had to change the costco battery in our 2004 honda FOUR TIMES, about once a year, no trivial matter since doing so requires removing the high beam headlight due to the retarded design of our honda.

And when I would go to return the old battery, expecting to just be handed another battery, they would charge me the difference in price from the old to the new one.

When I asked why I was being charged since it was "under warranty" they said, well, we're reducing the price of the new one for the use of the old one for a year.

After the 3rd or fourth battery THAT I HAD TO CHANGE MYSELF, (since Costco doesn't do that- probably because they know their batteries are junk, and then THEY'D have to blow an hour of labor time replacing it, wiping out any profit) about a 45 to 60 minute process due to the aforementioned design, I replied that was no warranty, that was them locking me into a subscription plan to buy crappy batteries from them every year.

I asked for the manager, and once I started talking about how many problems we've had with their tires and batteries and that I thought they did it on purpose just to get people there and shopping, they got me out of there QUICK before too many people heard me and could figure out they were cheating people.

When factoring in the amount I was paying each year, not to mention labor time, I was paying FAR MORE for crappy costco batteries that lasted about a year and would fail unexpectedly, stranding me.

I think they buy old tires with weak rubber too- sure, they offer a road protection policy that sounds great- they'll fix it for free, meaning you have 2-3 hours to kill, which you will usually fill by shopping.

Duh.

We've had to have 20-25 screws, nails, even a BOLT the width of my little finger punch itself into these el cheapo Costco rice paper tires.

And once we stopped using Costco tires, NOT A SINGLE PROBLEM. Hello.

Hello Mr. Walton SmileWavy


I haven't had any problems with my Costco batteries and I've purchased quite a few. I've also purchased quite a few Michelins from Costco without a single problem. Are you sure you are talking about the same Costco I am? The same number 1 global company Costco?

Interesting first post. Clearly a guy with a ax to grind with Costco.

My experience with Costco batteries in several different cars has been just fine. I had a problem with one battery leaking a little at the upper part of the case -- probably due to my tightening the hold-down too much -- and they replaced the battery with no questions asked. Other than that one incident, however, my Costco batteries have been trouble free and last a LONG time.

As to tires -- my local Costco only sells name brands like Michelin, BF Goodrich, Bridgestone, etc. These are the same tires sold at thousands of tire stores across the country. I have no idea what your gripe is with their tires.

After having to do gas tank support/battery box repairs on my galvanized 911 due to a leaking lead acid battery I went with an Optima. I had to make a battery tray for it. That was easy enough. I will not put a conventional battery back in.

HAve had Bosch batteries in both our 86's that have lasted over 5 years...Bought 'em pretty cheap at Pep Boys.

That's a different discussion, and most people won't disagree with you. But for those people that don't care and still use conventional batteries, the Costco batteries get the job done as well as any other brand, IMHO. YMMV, of course.

I sell Interstate's at my shop. We've had good luck with them.
We've also sold many Optima and Odyssey with very mixed results
If your gel battery goes completely flat chances of it coming back to life are slim
Interstate has introduced their own brand gel battery that has worked well so far
though it's early to say long term. Interstate owns and distributes Optima and the quality seems to have gone down since they bought them. I've been told that the guys that sold Optima to Interstate are the owners of Odyssey

+1 for Interstate.

Conventional battery; Sears. They have the hold down feet, and they "Die Hard." And they don't leak, which is what Interstate batteries used to be famous for. That may no longer be the case, but my SC has a Sears battery; Group 48.

i put a hole in an interstate and one of the cells drained dry. i used the battey for about a year until i left the lights on.

if i remember correctly, there are on ly a few battery makers out there, everyone else just puts their name on them.

i have lost faith in the sears die hard batteries. i remember as a kid, they where THE battery. seems like in the last 10 -15 years, the die hard gold series has really turned into junk, maybe 2 years out of a new battery.

i too just go for the cheap battery now. either advance or wal mart.

Big arse Interstate in my 89,..the weight was kept closely the of the removed BOSCH

...didn't want to frik-up the corner balance with some light weight battery (jk?)

It's a monster,..with monster cranking amps for all seasons....

Doyle

I guess luck can be bad, or good! My last Sears Die Hard battery lasted more than six years, and when I took it in to replace it, the store gave me $50 credit toward the new one because of the eight year warranty! That battery has been in the car since, and because it's just hot enough here that the car gets light use during the summer we have not had any starting issues, even after sitting unused for 4-5 weeks.

I'm still on the Interstate that came with the car when I bought it from the PO 6+ years ago.

Now having posted that, I'm sure it'll go kaput next week.