Renters Dilemma..... Charging the battery... Need help!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by particlewave

I'll let you in on a little secret;
There's nothing special about an interstate battery. I make Interstate, Optima, Duralast, just name a few... Same plate count, same plate weight, same theoretical output for each battery in a type/class. The only difference is the container

Interesting, particularly as Optima are owned by Johnson Controls, originally manufactured in Aurora CO but moved the manufacturing to Mexico in 2009, and use a totally unique and patented plate design and manufacturing technology, unlike any other product in the SLI battery industry................

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Interesting, particularly as Optima are owned by Johnson Controls, originally manufactured in Aurora CO but moved the manufacturing to Mexico in 2009, and use a totally unique and patented plate design and manufacturing technology, unlike any other product in the SLI battery industry................

Yes, I work for Johnson Controls DAP here in St. Joseph. You are referring to our patented "Power Frame Technology " which is in absolutely every single lead acid battery that we make.

We also make Optimas right here in St. Joe, Salem, Geneva, etc.
A type of battery or plate production is not restricted to one manufacturing plant, but goes out across many plants, depending on the distribution needs.

EDIT: Optimas are not made here. I was mistaken about that, but stand by all else

[Paul]

And at least in WI Wal-Mart sells Johnson Control made batteries for our cars for less than $100. All of my Porsche batteries came from Wally World.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Yes, I work for Johnson Controls DAP here in St. Joseph. You are referring to our patented "Power Frame Technology " which is in absolutely every single lead acid battery that we make.

We also make Optimas right here in St. Joe, Salem, Geneva, etc.
A type of battery or plate production is not restricted to one manufacturing plant, but goes out across many plants, depending on the distribution needs

Actually, no I am not referring to JC's Power Frame Technology, I'm referring to the Optima Spiralcell technology, which is entirely different:

Discover the PowerFrame® grid technology :: PowerFrame® TRUE STRENGTH vs. OPTIMA® Batteries SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY® :: OPTIMA® Batteries

In addition, I currently own nine different models of both red and yellow top Optima's in my personal fleet, including a two month old yellow top for the shop's new automatic standby power generator, all of which are clearly marked "Made in Mexico".......

[particlewave]

All innards are identical. All that varies is the number of plates per cell, plate weight(amount of lead oxide per plate), and plate size. Specs are based on these factors, so for example, an Everstart 760CCA 94R group battery would have the exact same innards as a Duralast 760CCA 94R group. Of course, AGM (spiral wound included) is a different story
Spiral wound: Instead of many separate plates bound together in each cell by a cast-on strap, a spiral wound battery uses two plates only (one positive, one negative) that are long strips of lead wound into a coil and separated by an absorbent glass mat separator(nasty stuff to work with). Six of these coils at 2V each are joined together like a six pack to make a 12V battery. One advantage is the lower chance of shorts within a cell because of fewer parts. Shorts are a huge manufacturing problem.

It's funny to watch arguments about Duralast vs Everstart on other forums when I know that they are exactly the same.

[Tucker2]

This doesn't help you...but I bought a trickle charger at Sears for $30. It's 'smart' so it won't blow your battery up. AC though....no solar cells or dilithium crystals to power it.

As far as $100 batteries go....Walmart. Replaced my Cayman's battery with a $100 battery from WallyWorld two years ago and it's a champ. I drive the Croc probably 2 or 3 times a week. (The trickle charger is for my Boxster).