I use Interstates in all my rigs. They rock! The 2 in my Trazer are probably at least 6 years old. Still work good and they've even been outside frozen a few times lol
CK5
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Who Makes Their Batteries?
- Thread starter nvrenuf
- Start date
Cornfield creations
1/2 ton status
Napa and carquest are East Penn- OR Deka. Pretty sure Super Start isn't East penn, they look nothing like their line, and from the local store, they say they get returns for warranties all the time. Deka is what we sell, have for 25 years. Always been great company, and made in america. A lot of cheap batteries are made is china. A/C Delco even went that way.
The most of the battery companies went to 18 month free replacement, no pro-ratings any longer. Some may still, but most don't. This is due to a lawsuit towards interstate batteries.
The most of the battery companies went to 18 month free replacement, no pro-ratings any longer. Some may still, but most don't. This is due to a lawsuit towards interstate batteries.
lovebomb_69
Registered Member
Who makes the Kirkland and energizer batteries?
Kirkland are made by johnson controls
Odyssey are great batteries. I use them in the forklifts and they go forever and like posted can be completely drained and still take a charge like new. Great but very pricey in comparison however, given how long they last it saves money long term.
lovebomb_69
Registered Member
From what I looked up the other day in the u.s. if it doesn't say deka or exide on the label its manufactured by johnson controls more than likely. From what I gathered.
Correct deka, exide or Johnson controls are the three main in the US for standard lead acid. Johnson controls manufactures optima, diehard (not platinum howerver) interstate, Kirkland, everlast, duralast, prostart and many other branded batteries.
On a side note while JCI manufactures the batteries the internals of interstate and Diehard or the "Grid Pattern" is much different than that of all the others which is why, in most cases, they are longer lasting and more reliable than some of the other brands that JCI manufactures for. In addition JCI makes a large portion of OEM batteries. Out of the OEMs that are made Toyota brand batteries are the only ones made with the better interstate grid pattern. Diehards are also a better grid pattern but different that interstates.
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now thats some good info there . thanks 
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Great info K5-CJ5.
Just to add, I worked at a Toyota dealer for 15 yrs and all, except the hybrid batteries, came directly from the local Interstate distributor.
I used to work for Toyota as well and they still come from the interstate distributor. JCI manufactures for interstate and its private label batteries which they then distribute.
Interstate made by Interstate and never look back.
Went this way with Scotts suggestion.
2 new Marine starting batteries in the Burb, 1 new in the BMW.
Havent' had them long enough, but went straight to the distribution center and picked them up.
Would definitely recommend going interstate over the part store brands.
Im running Deka batteries in my trucks.
I used to run Interstates and they always lasted many years. However, the last few I've bought have been big disappointments. Two were no good after 2 years and another one was junk after only a year, I gave up at that point. I do have a couple in the '79 that are holding up great (crossing fingers), one is a few years old and the other is at least 5 years old.
That's what I've been buying lately. So far, so good.
I'd like to point out that just because two batteries might be made by the same company does not necessarily mean they are an equal product.
I like Interstate and have good luck with those.
I won't ever use Exide again. Too much hassles and I used to work in their plant in Salina, KS almost 20 years ago. I witnessed firsthand of how most employees were careless in the assembly lines of their different batteries. Most were Mexicans so we called the place "Mexide" instead. It was a great paying job but they just don't take care of anybody. People were coming and going left and right.
Stick with a more reputable brand.
I won't ever use Exide again. Too much hassles and I used to work in their plant in Salina, KS almost 20 years ago. I witnessed firsthand of how most employees were careless in the assembly lines of their different batteries. Most were Mexicans so we called the place "Mexide" instead. It was a great paying job but they just don't take care of anybody. People were coming and going left and right.
Stick with a more reputable brand.
Well, I was planning to go to the local Interstate dealer tomorrow and grab a battery when tonight my wife comes home and the battery in her Jeep has taken a crap. What brand is it..... Interstate, of course. It's a 2 year old Interstate that was a warranty replacement for a 4 month old Interstate. 
The confidence is not high at the moment.
The confidence is not high at the moment.
gonefishin
1/2 ton status
I don't know about their starting batts but napa's deep cycle batteries are made by east penn
Well, I was planning to go to the local Interstate dealer tomorrow and grab a battery when tonight my wife comes home and the battery in her Jeep has taken a crap. What brand is it..... Interstate, of course. It's a 2 year old Interstate that was a warranty replacement for a 4 month old Interstate.
Yep, that's the luck I've had with them recently. Something must have changed about 3 years ago, because the only good ones I have left are the older batteries.
Well I rolled the dice with Interstate today and warrantied the Jeep battery and bought another for the K5. :fingerscrossed:
Well, an update.....
If you look at my last post you'll see I was warrantying the battery in our Jeep, guess what's bad AGAIN.
I thought I noticed a trend so I went thru the paperwork, for 3 out of 4 vehicles we're averaging 3 yrs per battery.
When a warrantied BOTH batteries in my Dodge back in January (second set warrantied for that vehicle), I asked about different levels of battery for a possible upgrade. The counter guy at the actual Interstate store (not parts retailer) he said all their batteries are 60 months regardless. Seems fishy, I think they're labeling everything the same.
I'll be changing brands now, probably going with O'Reilly's.
If you look at my last post you'll see I was warrantying the battery in our Jeep, guess what's bad AGAIN.
I thought I noticed a trend so I went thru the paperwork, for 3 out of 4 vehicles we're averaging 3 yrs per battery.
When a warrantied BOTH batteries in my Dodge back in January (second set warrantied for that vehicle), I asked about different levels of battery for a possible upgrade. The counter guy at the actual Interstate store (not parts retailer) he said all their batteries are 60 months regardless. Seems fishy, I think they're labeling everything the same.
I'll be changing brands now, probably going with O'Reilly's.
