Finally, a Replacement Battery

[GeoHorn]

Well…. I’ve had my M4700DT now since May ‘18. I bought it with 400 hrs on it from its second owner….(who’d deceived me about a failed alternator by having installed a brand new battery…. but I’ve told that elsewhere.)

The battery was dated 5/18…an EverStart H7 from WalMart. The H7 is the largest capacity for many vehicles… most CCA and 5 yr warranty…. so it lasted 7 years.

When I took it in yesterday, I also had 2 other old batteries out of my boat I’d replaced with EverStarts last summer….and had paid $12 re-cycling fee for each since I didn’t have them with me during the purchase)….. so I was attempting to return them for “credit” as-well. WM has changed their policy…. Nope. Don’t want ‘em. Won’t give credit. Unless I had the recp’t WITH me…they wouldn’t take them, even for disposal.

(I took them to AutoZone who issued $10 ea store-credit.)

But WM is the best battery-deals around my parts and the EverStarts have always been good for me.

HOWEVER, their H7 is now $180 plus tax, etc.

They have an ”H6” (a new designation for me)…. a 1-yr warranty battery with 615 CCA for $70.
(Another ”H6” battery next to it, looked idntical, with a different label 2-year warranty was $100)
I picked them up individually and they felt to be the same weight…so I decided they’re actually the exact same batt.)

Since the tractor (an open station) actually has very little electrics on it… I figured ”Good ‘nuff ! and so that $70 is what I installed. (the only ”extra” electrics are a couple LED-lightbars I added for night work….so the batt doesn’t have to deal with anything except starting.)

Get ready for higher-prices on batteries, Guys…. they’re made down in Old Mexico and have to be Imported.…and you-know-who has added a fee to anything imported.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Quick note: My experience is W-Mart sells "remanufactured" batteries, namely batteries that went to China for "recycling" and, through the cheapest means possible, get re-stuffed. Longevity has been D.O.A. to "poor" to "reasonable." Sometimes they run for a while then drop a plate and are non-functional (suddenly dead, which in my personal experience sucks, and is how I found out about the situation years back). Now, maybe it's good value for the money and purpose, that's up to you. Note some of the LiFeO4 batteries from China are similar, and a few lit themselves up--there's no free lunch.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

just checked wm cda, H6 is $199 same as a group 65 battery for my F150.
@$70 it's a steal !!! with exhanged on bucks , you're HALF price for same battery !!

 

[Blue2Orange]

On my previous tractor a NH compact switched out the lead acid for the Optima Yellow top deep cycle AGM. Don't remember exact number of years of use before it needed replacement with another identical battery except made in Mexico vs. the old USA made. Maybe 12-14 years. No battery tender until the last year or two. Tractor was down to minimal use at 50-70hrs/year. 2nd didn't last nearly as long. Still able to start, but load testing had me concerned. Replace it just last year. Then of course I trade it in for a Kubota.

Vehicles replacement batteries have been Interstate branded model over the past quarter century. No disappointments yet. If available probably will go with Interstate on the KuBx when needing replacement.

Might still invest in a Red Top Optima when the OEM battery dies. Do have the Kubota battery on an inexpensive Norco charger/tender. Tractor time is usually Autumn to Spring. Don't remember firing up KuBx this month yet.

 

[chim]

No experience with Rural King, but Scotty Kilmer was thrilled:

https://www.ruralking.com/battery-650-cca

 

[Bee-Positive]

Since 1992 Texas State law requires retailers to accept used motor-vehicle batteries or other lead-acid batteries for recycling. (Any battery which contains lead and sulfuric acid).

 

[jaxs]

I've been using W-Mat batteries for decades and never had one fail until long after warranty expired. When I worked at an auto repair the battery manufacture furnished free loaners so that customer's battery could be slow charged after an alternator failure. I've followed that believe ever since and believe that's why i get long service from batteries. I have 3 Deltran Battery Tenders on something all the time.

I buy the largest battery that will sit in holder (often group 65) not necessarily most expensive or longest warranty.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

What's interesting about the 'OPTIMA' red tops is that you're NOT supposed to use the side posts for high current drains ! I questioned them about it, got some doubletalk nonsense but it seems that the connection between the top posts and side posts will MELT. The ONLY reason I have it was FOR the side post 'feature'. When(if ) it fails, I'll just toss in a normal side post battery. The redtop was free 10-12 years ago.
It'd be nice to access the cells of 'regular' batteries to add acid once in awhile. Between heat and recharging, acid 'magically' goes missing....

 

[cliffboyer]

I have had really good luck with Rural King batteries. Replaced one in my Suburban with same a few years ago. The old one lasted 10 years.