Wal*Mart Batteries

[ChevyKev]

In July of '02, in Missouri, I bought two batteries - 900 cranking amps - roughly $60 per battery. With 3 year free replacement and 9 year pro-rated warranty. These batteries have been great for me - until recently...

However, in June of '04 one of the threads where the post screws in stripped out. I took it back to Walmart and was given a new one, complete with receipt for 3 year free replacement - but they had upgraded and it was 950 Cranking amps! They also refunded me my MO sales tax I had paid - as I was in Wasilla and there was no sales tax!

Today I took them both into Walmart, but they didn't have that model. So the one that was replaced in '04 they replaced with the 1000 cranking amp battery for $4. It would have been free, but the extra $4 is worth the 50 cranking amps.

The other one, that I bought in '02, was pro rated and I paid about half of what the cost of the replacement was - and it was a 100 cranking amp upgrade.

I had both tested at NAPA first, the older one said "replace now" the opther said, "replace soon" I told the Walm*Mart people that they wouldn't hold a charge and got no arguments, tests, or other questions.

So I now have 2 brand new, 1000 cranking amp batteries and it cost me less than $50.
The old ones lasted 5 years through 4 very harsh winters.
I have no complaints.

[naturalbornmudder]

interesting info. Glad to hear it worke dout.

What is the average life expectancy for a non-gel battery?

[ChevyKev]

In my experience, under heavy useage, about 5 years up here.

So if after 5 years I get 1/2 off of a brand new one - I'm happy!

[Advent]

I've been getting a year per battery, but that's because they sit...

Costco and Sam's both have excellent battery warranties. I had to buy a Sam's battery to replace a Costco unit (since I can't just hop over to Costco to replace it) a couple years ago, and I seem to be swapping the batteries out every spring.

I really wonder how long that warranty is going to be offered, at least around here.

[sevenslats]

I bought an Exide Orbital at sams 2.8 years ago, with a 3 year warranty. Now sam's doesn't carry orbitals. I need to warrantee this thing soon.

[78calico]

Exide used to have an office/warehouse in the backside of the same building as American Fast Freight on the corner of Lathrop and Van Horn. I don't know if they are still there.

[AKMark]

I bought an Exide Orbital at sams 2.8 years ago, with a 3 year warranty. Now sam's doesn't carry orbitals. I need to warrantee this thing soon.

Napa carries Orbital's now.

[78calico]

I've been getting a year per battery, but that's because they sit.

Pony up for an Optima deep cycle and your battery issues will be solved. My truck sat for nearly a year and it still started without a jump. Even if the charge is completely drained you just charge it back up. These are great for winches too repated charge/discharge won't damage them. They're a little spendy but worth every penny. I run two of them.

[TJVigilante]

he's got to get his rig running before investing in an Optima

and that doesn't look like it's going to happen very soon, he's in Juneau for the summer.

[Advent]

Yup, in Juneau until a couple days before Labor Day.

I don't care about the power needed for a winch; mine's a PTO

[TJVigilante]

That doesn't count if it's sitting in a tote outside my front door.