Are all batteries (of same type) the same?

[Chapap]

Say I'm shopping for a FLA battery of some size. I can find prices from $90 to $250. Is the only difference the sticker? The more expensive ones claim higher CCA and such (maybe longer warranty too), but all that seems like it's strictly determined by the size of the battery (how many plates and cells can fit inside the case). It doesn't seem like battery factories would have machines tooled differently to make varying specs for the same size battery. I've always assumed this and have gotten the absolute cheapest batteries I could find.

 

[ericbphoto]

The plates can be thinner or thicker, allowing more orfewer in the same size case. Larger number of plates gives greater surface area, therefore, greater current capacity. Quality of the materials - lead, acids, separators, etc also factors into price. It is also true that most manufacturers produce multiple brands. They may produce a battery that is brand X's low grade model and, at the same time is brand Y's top grade model.

I find it disappointing that batteries, in general, don't seem to have the quality they had 30 years ago. Warranties are shorter across the board and in some cases, nonexistent.

 

[Uncle Gump]

My latest purchase of a battery (Blains Farm and Fleet) top of the line 7 year warranty... lasted 1 year and 9 days.

They replaced it of course... but I have given up on batteries.

 

[Uncle Gump]

They're ALL junk these days...

 

[RonD]

CCR(cold cranking amps) are more important in Minnesota than Florida
Batteries available amps drops pretty fast under 40degF

Thin plates can discharge and recharge faster, but will also fail earlier if discharged too much, so this is what you want for starting a vehicle
Battery in a vehicle is ONLY used to start the engine, then is not used again until the next time engine is started, so quick discharge and fast recharge(by alternator)

Thicker plates discharge slower and recharge slower, this is what you want for a trailer or RV, to power lights and other 12volt devices, they can be fully discharged then recharged without damaging the plates
These are called Deep Cycle batteries

Quality of manufacturing is about all there is as far as life of battery and of course how its treated when used
Leaving either type sitting discharged, under 12volts, will shorten its life
New battery is 12.8v to 13volts, 100% capacity
3 years old is 12.5v, 75% capacity
5/6 years old is 12.3v, 50% capacity and time to shop for battery sales

Depending on the type of engine, AMPS needed to crank it over, and outside temps, a good battery can last passed 7 year mark, i.e. can start the engine, which is the only point/purpose of a vehicle battery

 

[Chapap]

CCR(cold cranking amps) are more important in Minnesota than Florida
Batteries available amps drops pretty fast under 40degF

That makes sense. When it gets into the low 50s or colder, my truck is noticeably lethargic when starting. During the summer the starter tries to flip block out of the engine bay.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

There is an interstate battery brick and mortar location near me. I used to get all my batteries there until 3 bad experiences. Once was a DOA battery, which thankfully they exchanged. The other was an AGM battery that lasted a few months, which they finagled out of covering. The third time was motorcycle battery that I never filled/charged because I ended up selling the bike....was slightly out of the return window and so they wouldn't take it back.

The bunk battery was for a buddy of mine whom I was bragging about this interstate store to. That was embarrassing.

Now I go to a regular battery supply store called battery depot.

Optima is also junk these days.