Shopping Batteries for the Q

Post by **qship96** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:53 pm

Looks like the Diehard Platinum AGM is the one according to the Consumers Report test of 11/07.....highest rated at a solid 91 points out of 100...way above the Optima redtop at 76 points {second place out of about a dozen tested}. Uses the same technology, and is identical to the Odyssey branded batteries, as both are made by Enersys inc. in the USA. 880 CCA, 135 min. reserve, 48 month free replacement warranty,100 month pro-rate.

Modified by qship96 at 10:05 PM 6/12/2008
Modified by qship96 at 10:06 PM 6/12/2008

Post by **jimbyjimb** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:27 pm

That's great info, thanks. Sears rules.

Post by **maxnix** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:16 pm

In the old days, Sears sucked dead bears.

Only about 2.5 years into my 3 red tops, but I'll be going back to them when the time comes.

Post by **Q451990** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:45 pm

The last time I checked, I think Johnson Controls made most of the batteries - regardless of brand. I guess they could be built to different specs. though... I made a quick decision and ended up with the ugly gold topped Autozone version this time. So far so good, but we'll see...

Heath

Post by **3Q Jay** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:42 pm

i got bored with the sigh-hards. they were ok, but nothing special (this was the gold series).

blacq--MTP 27silver--redtop 34/78

replaced silver's nissan-27 pre-emptively. the cranking speed with the redtop was a significant increase.

Post by **Dabizzo1** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:46 pm

Just put an Interstate MTP-24 1000 cca/85 amp hour battery in for $99.00 in my Q. Free replacement for 2 years and prorated from 3 to 6 years. I just replaced a 1.5 year old Duralast that was causing the dreaded radio display flicker, a sign of a battery being on its way out in a Q (failing to maintain voltage for the many peripheral draws). From the faster spinning starter to the bright dash lights, definitely a great battery. I just realized my wife's 2000 4Runner has the identical battery with never a problem. With our heat down here in New Orleans, batteries definitely get put through their paces. I think I recall Q45tech having mentioned that one of the criteria for battery purchase for a Q is to have at LEAST a 75 amp hour rating, which is someting not even most manufacturers websites post. Hope this helps. Boris

Post by **maxnix** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:14 am

3Q Jay wrote:i got bored with the sigh-hards. they were ok, but nothing special (this was the gold series).

My experience with them was so bad I have always called them Die Easy.

Post by **qship96** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:48 am

maxnix wrote:My experience with them was so bad I have always called them Die Easy.

The new Diehard Platinum series is really not a diehard battery, it is a rebadged Odyssey absorbed glass mat battery produced by Enerysys and private labeled for Sears.....a totally different product than any former or current diehard battery.The identical Odyssey 1500 battery sells for almost $300 and has recieved many positive reviews....now available as the Platinum series at Sears for less than $200

Post by **maxnix** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:24 am

Interesting. I will have to look at them although I have a very difficult timeovercoming long term psychological aversion.

However, I read through a couople of Motor Trends recently and was surprised at the level of journalism compared ot the old Detroit is always the bet days.

Post by **Rex** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:54 am

Personally, I'm not a big fan of Consumer Reports rankings ... heck if most of us were we'd be driving Prius' or something like that

A couple things to take into account when buying a "quality" battery ...

How does it performs in your "heat environment"?How old is it before you install it?How old is your altenator?Do you have any extra electrical demands?

For someone driving a Camry that's only about 5 yrs old, that they sell before the battery is 4 yrs old, most any battery will do.

Post by **qship96** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:54 am

Rex wrote:Personally, I'm not a big fan of Consumer Reports rankings ... heck if most of us were we'd be driving Prius' or something like that

No magazine can tell you what to buy, or who to marry...but it is extremely hard to ignore a professionally conducted controlled series of testing and reviewing the outome and basing your purchasing decision on those facts presented....as compared to taking advice from your neighbor/coworker/relative/internet poster who can only voice their own experience with a single example of a product under non-controlled usage

Guess I am a technical, numbers, show me/prove to me kind of consumer

Post by **Rex** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:01 am

qship96 wrote:No magazine can tell you what to buy, or who to marry...but it is extremely hard to ignore a professionally conducted controlled series of testing and reviewing the outome and basing your purchasing decision on those facts presented....as compared to taking advice from your neighbor/coworker/relative/internet poster who can only voice their own experience with a single example of a product under non-controlled usage

Guess I am a technical, numbers, show me/prove to me kind of consumer

First, I mis-read your post to say rankings, not test. My mistake. So, I'll grant the test results more "weight" than a CR survey/ranking. Their readership in now way reflects my "decision making logic".

Now, on the other hand, I'd want to know how/where they got their samples. What criteria they used to make sure they were getting the same products your or I would get. I would expect CR buys the units they test from national retailers, to eliminate getting "test mule" models. One of my concerns would be the comparable quality of what they get in a "inventory turning" mass retailer on the East Coast versus what Joe Schmoe gets from his rural Indiana Mom & Pop auto parts place, that may be nearly 2 yrs old??

I'm a believer in controlled and scientific test, if I know the details.

Post by **maxnix** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:12 am

It's all about how good the experiment (test) was designed and the validity of the data.

Post by **Rex** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:15 am

maxnix wrote:It's all about how good the experiment (test) was designed and the validity of the data.

And what the define success criteria was.

I'd rather replace a battery every 3 years than try to stretch to 5 years and buy an alternator. I doubt that was part of the success criteria

Post by **maxnix** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:20 am

Goes back to experimental design. If poor, data might be great but signify nothing.

Post by **qship96** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:24 am

Consumer report purchases their test subjects off the shelf incognito using plain clothed "buyers" at local retail stores accordig to them..... all automotive batteries{and tires} have date codes stamped on them, most consumers are too uneducated to crack the codes{or even know to check} . I saw batteries on the shelf with date codes as recent as may 08 build date.....and others sadly over 12 months old{ feel sorry for that soccermom who ends up with it in her SUV}

The 2 Platinum batteries in stock that would fit my Q were dated march 2008, I will probobly wait a few weeks until they sell those two and restock with newer ones {C.R. states to buy no battery older than 6 months}

The Diehard Platinum is a rebadged Odyssey 1500, and their website http://www.odysseyfactory.com has a bunch of interesting information on batteries for those interested
Modified by qship96 at 4:01 PM 6/13/2008

Post by **Victor** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:41 am

The trouble with consumers reports is they only test or rate only a limited number of brands and models. There could be something much better that they never tested. Plus to draw a statistically valid sample you have to test at least 30 of each brand and model They test one. It could be not representative of the typical battery of that brand and model.I have always gotten at least six years out of an AC Delco Freedom battery. The worst batteries I ever used was Kragens house brand made by Exide, crapped out the day after the one year warranty expired.The battery I bought In Costco was the cheapest I could find for its rating and its still going strong after several years.I think its ridiculous to pay $200 or $300 for a battery that may be only marginally better than a battery you could get for $90. Your not going on a polar expedition where your life depends on the battery starting your car at minus 46 degrees. Some of you guys just like to throw money at your car.

Post by **Rex** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:28 am

I'd be surprised if they're really doing testing using just a single data point. Really?

Post by **qship96** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:32 am

more internet myth? Read the article and test parameters to ge the facts.

Post by **jimbyjimb** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:43 am

Yeah man, Kirkland Signature batteries are incredible for 35 bucks. I don't know who makes them. I also am a huge fan of interstate, although my last battery purchase was an optima from Costco for 90 bucks.

Post by **Rex** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:54 am

Here's an excerpt

Quote »Testers used an industry standard test to assess how long a battery will last. The batteries are put into 167-degree water to mimic the heat under the hood of a vehicle. Then, they're put through 100-hour cycles of discharging and recharging to simulate the demands of stop-and-go traffic.[/quote]I'm thinking the under hood air is hotter than 167 degrees?? Or did they use 167 water to replicate the heat soak effect of the hotter under hood air??

Seems like a lot of questions I'll never have an answer to without reading CR. It might be an interesting read (findings and test controls/methodology) if I didn't despise CR.

Post by **jimbyjimb** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:58 am

I have some 1930's Craftsman tools and they don't suck anything, especially bears. Probably better than my new professional series, which is made for Craftsman by Matco.

Post by **qship96** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:02 am

All I know is this- my Q is on its 4th genuine Infiniti battery{including the one it left the assembly line with} each lasting slightly over 36 months, and the local dealer wants about $130 for the next one.....

I am willing to get the Odyssey{Platinum} battery and risk the extra $40 to try what is reported to be the hands down best tested mac daddy battery ever, and experiment for my Nico buddies!

Post by **jimbyjimb** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:06 am

That's pretty cool. I for one am all about seeing how it works before buying it. I'm surprised the Infiniti battery has such a short life, my fifty dollar Interstate still had 100 more CCA after 6 years than it was even rated at. Rated at 850 still had over 900. What was even more shocking is how accurate the little handheld computers are that do a VAT-40 test in less than 5 minutes.

Post by **Rex** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:10 am

I'm not suggesting their findings aren't valid or meaningful.

As for your NICO buddies, this poll shows who's used what and for how long ... not scientific by any means. Some list good results, some bad.

And it might be cool to do some tracking to see how long the battery performs "as new".

Post by **Q45tech** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:02 pm

Depends on ambient low, average, and peak temperatures. Number of starts per day......................number of days between starts. Any mods which change current flows.

Quality of local water refills [if applicable].

Post by **Victor** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:48 pm

Shame on you. Whats the old expression, fool me once. You put two Nissan batteries in that only lasted 36 months and then put another one in? And they cost more than an AC Delco or Motorcraft that would last six years. Even a $49 Costco battery would outlast it.

Post by **Victor** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:05 pm

I just dug up the receipt for my Costco Kirkland battery. I bought it three years and one week ago for $43.49 and its still going strong. The warranty was three year free replacement and 100 months pro-rated. And its starting a big 5.7 Liter V8, not some little 4.5 liter Infiniti engine. So this $43.49 battery outlasts a $130 Infiniti battery. You could go through 4 to 6 of these for what one of your fancy-dancy batteries will cost. But just one of them will probably outlast it.

Post by **qship96** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:14 pm

Different climate,driving patterns,usage,engine,vehicle, who knows what else.....hardly anything like a controlled scientific test, but owners standards and knowledge vary. Relying on the Consumers Reports test is really looking good after reading some of this!
Modified by qship96 at 12:56 AM 6/14/2008

Post by **maxnix** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:24 am

Looks good, but the redtop might be about 10 lbs. less for about the same performance.

Try it and see.

Shopping Batteries for the Q

Shopping Batteries for the Q

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