Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 21:10:13 -0600
Reply-To: Tom Hargrave <thargrav@HIWAAY.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tom Hargrave <thargrav@HIWAAY.NET>
Subject: Re: Wal-Mart and battery stuff
In-Reply-To: <BAY132-DS5DFE7B46D8E7537491C83A0560@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
In general, battery names are like oil filter names - there's a lot of
labels being stamped out by maybe 4 manufacturers. One exception being the
Optima battery because of their unique construction.
The only resellers to stay away from are the battery rebuilders that pop-up
every once in a while. Local battery rebuilders really can't rebuild a
battery. They rinse out the lead sediment from the bottom that causes a
shorted cell then they pulse charge the battery to break most of the
sulfating off the plates. But a battery that's been cycled in a car for 4
years can easily have 50% or more of the plates eroded away and this
directly translates into a corresponding capacity and CCA loss.
Wally World has a great battery return policy - my only complaint is what
they sometimes try to substitute. More than once I've had them try & sub a
lower CCA battery than what belonged in a car. The kid behind the counter
always states something like "but that's what the chart says". But they will
take any lead acid battery in on their EPA trade - more than once I traded a
small motorcycle battery in for a car battery for my latest project car.
Thanks,
Tom Hargrave
256-656-1924
Our Web Sites:
www.kegkits.com
www.stir-plate.com
www.andyshotsauce.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Dennis Haynes
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 8:42 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Wal-Mart and battery stuff
You could always pay more and get an "Interstate" battery. Oh! Same battery
with a different label.
For the most part if a battery is truly defective it will be obvious in a
short time. After that it has probably been abused. There are exceptions
such as broken inner cell connectors or flashing shorting out the plates.
One thing about Wal-Mart. When you return the battery you usually get a
refund. When you re-purchase the replacement the warranty starts again.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
John Rodgers
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 5:01 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Wal-Mart and battery stuff
Just replaced an Exide battery with a Wally World battery of equal
performance. Cost $70 and with a $10 crdit for the old battery the price
was $60. Had a 36 month warranty. Battery was exact dimensions as the
one removed and fit into the battery box just perfect. Wally World has
had its share of battery failure problems in the past, but they never
question it. If it doesn't work, dies or whatever, no problem. Take it
back and get a replacement. They are good about that. It's just
inconvenient to have to repeat oneself if the battery fails in someway.
This is my third Walmart battery and two failed before warranty expired
- one within one week of purchase. But - if you get a good one - it will
perform and last as good as any.
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
Al Knoll wrote:
> Interested in your experiences in returning a battery to WM for warranty
> replacement. I had a 48-3 fail just inside the 2yr warranty (Eversnort
> brand or something like that)
>
> FWIW they say a 41 or a 48 will fit and if you remove the seat it will and
> just snugly.
>
> Pensionerd.
>
>
>
