Gel Battery -

JK McDonald · JK McDonald's Garage

My battery in Miss Purdy - 1984 928 was suddenly dead this afternoon after being parked for a week during some pre-trip maintenance . We're headed for a run along the Blue Ridge Parkway and to get out of this Texas heat for a while. Over the last few years I've been able to just about set my watch on the expected life of the batteries in both my 84 and 85 (sold) 928's ? They seemed to need a new battery every 24 - 26 months.

I've always installed the largest atom splitting cold cranking amp (CCA) O'reilly, NAPA and Walmart brand batteries that would fit down in the battery box with about equal results. I have routinely tried different types of trickle chargers and the occasional refresh with a regular battery charger to keep each one in top condition. Distilled water was added if ever needed. My running alternator voltage is about 13.6 volts and the static battery drain is around 26 ma.

I have considered upgrading to one of the Gel-Cell No Water batteries - but mercy they are sure proud of those things. When one of the distributors for a Yellow Top 900 - 1,000 CCA OPTIMA battery quoted me a deal of around $300, I asked if I could rent one like some of those chromed out fancy "Donk" car owners do for their wheels - all I got was a blank stare.

Clearly this guy had no sense of humor.

Anyway - For the money ($124 last year) it is hard to beat the Walmart H7 Ever Start. Just exchanged another one under their 3 year free replacement warranty + 2 additional years prorated. It's getting pretty bad when the lady at the auto department counter is beginning to recognize me when I come in with a dead battery.

What could I be doing wrong and what kind of battery life are you getting ?

Michael

honerboys · honerboys's Garage

don't know as you're doing anything wrong - just wanted to let you know the Walmart H8 also fits in the 84 battery box and has 900 CCA - might want to try one of those

Pete R · Pete R's Garage

There's literally like 2 or 3 battery manufactures on the planet. All they do is sticker them different for the different brands. My original truck battery was exactly the same, down to the little plastic mold marks on the case, as the replacement Die Hard I bought. I believe Walmarts are made by Johnson Controls who make optima. I use the H7 too. Which has been the best I've had so far. I have a drain and if I don't use the car for a couple weeks it can go dead. Sometimes I run it totally dead which is bad for the battery. Mine still last a few years.

JK McDonald · JK McDonald's Garage

Thanks Pete and also Honer for the suggestion about the Walmart H8 battery. This info will go into my 928 DNK (Did Not Know) folder. I'll look for one next time my warranty has run it's course and I need a new one. The 900 CCA would probably bump the battery life some too.

The only problem in buying a battery at Walmart is that sometimes the people at the auto-department counter are not much help in sorting through their available list of batteries. I had been told that the H7 was as large as they had in stock and at the time I didn't want to push, pull or take a chance to try and jump start Miss Purdy to get home from a near by parking lot.

Thanks again, Michael

SanDiego928 · 08-04-2016, 10:12 AM

Perfect timing.....after I figure out the rough running issue I will go get one of the H7 or 8 depending on stock..... Thanks guys!!!!!

Danglerb · 08-05-2016, 10:31 PM

My most recent battery is another Bosch from Pepboys, look for the 30 to 35% online purchase sales with a local pickup free.

Its been a few months, but when I was checking non of the local Walmarts, including two super stores had the battery I wanted in stock. Also looking in store I found a lot of batteries with several month old dates.

Biggest life extender for my 928 battery's has been a cutoff switch so I fully disconnect when parked for more than a day.

harborman · harborman's Garage

I replaced the battery in my 928S about 3 years ago or more. It is a Walmart battery and seems to still be fine. A battery should last at least 4 years under normal conditions. I think heat is the main killer of batteries besides normal wear.

SanDiego928 · 08-06-2016, 04:33 PM

My battery is at least 6 years old. Battery is the Last thing I will do before smog test except get a pass to drive on streets. Joy every 2 years.

Danglerb · 08-06-2016, 05:06 PM

Pro tip; you can pay Calif dmv reg online before you get a smog cert, that way if you miss the date or don't pass etc no penalty. Once you pass smog the tags and registration show up in the mail in a few days.

SanDiego928 · 08-09-2016, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honerboys

don't know as you're doing anything wrong - just wanted to let you know the Walmart H8 also fits in the 84 battery box and has 900 CCA - might want to try one of those

Has anyone used the H8 in a 1981 battery box for fit?

Plexus928 · 08-09-2016, 04:38 PM

I bought an Optima red top(800CCA) a couple of months back, (last one just failed to make 10 years in about as many different cars.
these are now made in Mexico, cost in Australian dollars was $260, in US dollars that's just under $200.
How does that work ? US owned company ships them halfway around the world and sells them $100 less than retail price in US?

adam928 · 08-10-2016, 04:29 AM

Mine drains the battery after being left for a couple of weeks, ended up putting a battery isolator switch inline, which has certainly helped me!

Danglerb · 08-10-2016, 06:10 AM

Bane of the 928, drains on the battery when it sits. 95% of 928's have this issue and it requires carefully hunting down the thing that isn't shutting off.

laneyamps · laneyamps's Garage

I've gone thru a ton of batteries (regardless of brand) but, since I started using the Battery Tender, I am no longer buying a freakin' battery every 2yrs! Best $55 bucks I have ever spent on my 928...