Delco batteries

[Ridge K.]

Re: Delco batteries

Here's what Consumer's Report magazine has reported about American auto battery manufacturers:

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.

[Terry M.]

Re: Delco batteries

Ridge,
How old is that Consumer Reports quote? I think the Delphi info is no longer true, and hasn't been for several years.

[Gene M.]

Re: Delco batteries

Nobody has mentioned Optima. They look strange but are always there when ya hit the ignition.

My cars are stored a lot and during the winter months are on a small trickle charge.

Optima is expensive but they had a $25 rebate just last month. Got mine on web with free shipping. And just got another to replace a Delco reproduction p.o.s.

I got exposed to Optima from a friend that let his Corvette sit for a year with out trickle charger and it started. I was impressed.

It cranks over my Nomad with a built big block 427 no problem.

[Ridge K.]

Re: Delco batteries

Ridge,
How old is that Consumer Reports quote? I think the Delphi info is no longer true, and hasn't been for several years.

Terry, the article was two years old, but.....I agree on the Delphi info. Seems like with Delphi's financial problems, they are not now the source.

[John S.]

Re: Delco batteries

Reviving this thread as I now need to replace the Delco battery in my 09 that is 6-1/2 years old. Would I get the same longevity out of a new Delco? I was honestly thinking about putting in a Kirkland. Let's hear more current thoughts.

[Tom B.]

Re: Delco batteries

AC Delco is made by Johnson Controls. They make batteries under many labels.

[Brian M.]

Re: Delco batteries

Remove the Kirkland labels and put the Delco labels from the dead battery on it.

Reviving this thread as I now need to replace the Delco battery in my 09 that is 6-1/2 years old. Would I get the same longevity out of a new Delco? I was honestly thinking about putting in a Kirkland. Let's hear more current thoughts.

[Michael F.]

Re: Delco batteries

many batteries regardless of brand are made in mexico now, another place is phillipines for low end stuff. it is true about johnson control and excide...I used to work for private owner battery company in business since 1946, since sold and owner retired. one major cause of leakage on side terminal battery is over torque of bolt, only need about 11 lbft of torque and other cause was design flaw a few years which has since been corrected. I personally use autozone gold which are now black not the gold top anymore. I have had great success in all of my cars with these. just a sign of the times as we are a throw away world now and youngster don't expect or want to keep things anymore, of course not all of them.

[Thomas B.]

Re: Delco batteries

Glad Mr. Seeley reopened this thread. I just removed the Exide battery from my '62 that I installed in December 2002. The label shows it was manufactured in June 2002. Twelve and one-half years isn't bad; however, because I never had corrosion on the terminals, I thought all was well. By chance I spotted corrosion on the hold-down and pulled it out. More than half of the tray's surface was corroded. I have a false topper on the battery to give the appearance of a tar-top, which helped hide the problem. I wonder if it caused the leakage because the battery couldn't vent well with the topper.

[Duke W.]

Re: Delco batteries

I've had good luck with Johnson Controls batteries. A 26R that I swap back and forth between my winter car and summer car dates to 2001 and shows no signs of weakness and no leakage at the posts. The previous Johnson Controls 26R lasted ten years, but I hurt it by leaving the ignition switch on overnight once and then the dome light a year later. An older battery won't take this abuse very long.

Good mainteance also helps. Once a year I remove the two cell caps and top off the cells with distilled water as required, and I always charge the battery before putting a cranking load on it if the car sits more than a week, which is typical.

I bought the 26R from Autozone in 2001 and removed the labels. I recall it only cost about $40, but the current equivalent is about double that price.

BTW, I believe Optima batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls and are effectively their own brand, but they don't sell conventional lead-acid batteries under their own brand.

Duke