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

[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

[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).

[Jamesp]

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

No need for a "Porsche" battery.

BTW, I get them for $25 at work

Are the innards identical, or does each one sport different design features? And what the heck is a "spiral wound" battery?, Oh yeah, have you considered selling your own "brand" for $50 a copy?

[particlewave]

......................

[mistermac99]

Originally Posted by 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

You may have stated this already, but with your knowledge of batteries, which battery/batteries would you recommend for my 99?

[OptimaJim]

Hello, my name is Jim McIlvaine and I am the eCare Manager for Optima Batteries. I noticed this conversation involving our products and attempted to reach out to particlewave regarding the claims he made in this thread, many of which he has subsequently deleted. However, because JFP in PA quoted particlewave, several of particlewave's comments remain, which I would like to address. particlewave claimed to be an employee of Johnson Controls, but when I asked him via PM to confirm that, he declined to do so. He also changed his location listing on this forum from St. Joseph, Missouri to Oz.

All Optima batteries are produced in one very specialized plant with processes that are significantly different from all other batteries. As the SpiralCell design and ingredients of Optima batteries are unique to our products, they do not use JCI's Power Frame Technology, which is specific to flat-plate battery technology. Flat-plate batteries do not always have the same plate count, plate weight or theoretical output for each type/class, as was also previously-suggested.

I spend a lot of time on forums correcting false information posted about our products. However, in this instance, the source of this false information also claimed to be an employee of Johnson Controls. I know many folks read threads and never make it past the first page, which in this instance contains false information from a source who would not confirm their identity. I hope that is taken into consideration for those who read this thread going forward.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries
OPTIMA® Batteries (optimabatteries) on Pinterest

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by OptimaJim

Hello, my name is Jim McIlvaine and I am the eCare Manager for Optima Batteries. I noticed this conversation involving our products and attempted to reach out to particlewave regarding the claims he made in this thread, many of which he has subsequently deleted. However, because JFP in PA quoted particlewave, several of particlewave's comments remain, which I would like to address. particlewave claimed to be an employee of Johnson Controls, but when I asked him via PM to confirm that, he declined to do so. He also changed his location listing on this forum from St. Joseph, Missouri to Oz.

All Optima batteries are produced in one very specialized plant with processes that are significantly different from all other batteries. As the SpiralCell design and ingredients of Optima batteries are unique to our products, they do not use JCI's Power Frame Technology, which is specific to flat-plate battery technology. Flat-plate batteries do not always have the same plate count, plate weight or theoretical output for each type/class, as was also previously-suggested.

I spend a lot of time on forums correcting false information posted about our products. However, in this instance, the source of this false information also claimed to be an employee of Johnson Controls. I know many folks read threads and never make it past the first page, which in this instance contains false information from a source who would not confirm their identity. I hope that is taken into consideration for those who read this thread going forward.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries
OPTIMA® Batteries (optimabatteries) on Pinterest

Jim, thanks for stepping into this conversation. I pretty much knew from the outset that there was something amiss in some of the posts; I have a long history with your firm, going much further back than just as a satisfied end use customer. Keep up the good work.