We use Interstate exclusively in my business. In 30 years time, they have been the most consistent and best battery we have used. They deliver on a daily basis, and everything is "fresh" when we get it.
This time of year we're selling probably $2k-$3k of batteries a month, and I can't recall how long it's been since we've had a bad one. In fact, I don't know that we've ever had a bad one - I would have to check with my service guys. As for "maintenance free" batteries, I don't care how you try to explain it, there ain't no such thing. A lead acid battery is constantly changing state, and in doing so, will gas off and lose electrolyte. Years ago, when they had truly "sealed" batteries, our industry tried them for about six months, then quickly dumped them like a bad clam. Because batteries in an industrial application such as a generator are on a charger around the clock, you have to be able to access the cells for testing and topping off. A sealed battery was good for maybe a year, 18 months at best as a result. We have a "three year rule" - three years and we replace 'em. it's cheap insurance when you consider if you go on the cheap your lights stay out when there's a power outage. I do recall from many years ago when batteries were sold to us "dry" and we had to add the electrolyte. Boy, was that nasty, and the end to a lot of uniforms. The stuff came in a cardboard box with a thick plastic bag inside and a plastic tube sort of like a commercial milk dispenser. You had a clamp on the tube and cut the end off, then let the clamp off as you filled each cell. What a PITA! Dan --- On Sat, 1/30/10, Allan Streib <str...@cs.indiana.edu> wrote: > From: Allan Streib <str...@cs.indiana.edu> > Subject: Re: [MBZ] Bosch Battery > To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> > Date: Saturday, January 30, 2010, 8:01 PM > "Greg Fiorentino" <gf...@dslnorthwest.net> > writes: > > > FWIW, I have had good luck with Autozone Duralast > batteries. I believe they > > are the same battery as the Sears Diehard gold at a > much lower price. I > > just put 2 new ones in my F250 powerstroke. > > Almost all car batteries are made by Delphi, Exide, or > Johnson Controls. > I always buy Interstate which are made by Johnson > Controls. Duralast > and Diehard are as well, I believe. > > I don't know if the different brand names are > manufacturered to any > different specifications. I do think that > Interstate's volume (they > sell to a lot of independent service shops as well as > retail) means > you're less likely to get a "stale" battery there than at > some other > places, but I really can't prove it. > > Allan > -- > 1983 300D > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
