Battery to handle Winch & ~1000 watt stereo

tyr0981

tyr0981

New member
After 2nd day of sitting without start, the starter has VERY labored turning over, and i left the OBD2 bluetooth gauge plugged in overnight once, and it killed my battery :ohwell:. So Battery is near death, i'm tired of this every 1.5 year exchange at Knechts for ~30$ for another pile of shit battery! since i have a winch now i think it's time to go big!

what's the concensus on these batteries? Interstate Megatron They are ~20$ more than a duralast battery, with 3 year less of a warranty.... A. why is that warranty less? B. any issues that anyone can speak of?

thanks for the input !
 
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I only have good things to say about interstate. I like the megatron plus (MTP) series of interstate battery's.

If your going through batteries every year and a half something is up. I can see one battery being a fluke. But a few of them all going bad that soon is not correct.

How new is your starter?

How good is your wiring? Between battery and starter. Battery to engine and frame grounds and alternator to battery?
 
I'm sure you saw this question coming but:

1. did you do the big 3 or at least upgrade your battery (-) to chassis?

2. what is your voltage at idle and at 1500 RPM?
 
Don't have a bad thing to say about interstate had a 10 year old interstate before it died. My mechanic refuses to sell anything but interstate. IMO best batteries money can buy
 
I thought the frequency of battery deaths was high also, ~900 RPM is 13V, haven't done the big 3 yet, i've rebuilt the starter solenoid contacts twice, the battery terminal contacts are in decent shape, some white crusty corrosion buildup, clean it up and re-appears in ~2 months, i should check out the contacts on the Alternator, never have looked at them....
 
tyr0981 said:
I thought the frequency of battery deaths was high also, ~900 RPM is 13V, haven't done the big 3 yet, i've rebuilt the starter solenoid contacts twice, the battery terminal contacts are in decent shape, some white crusty corrosion buildup, clean it up and re-appears in ~2 months, i should check out the contacts on the Alternator, never have looked at them....
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13.0 volts at 900 is low. With nothing on at that rpm you should be at or above 14v especially right after a start.
 
~900 RPM is 13V, haven't done the big 3 yet
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That seems a bit low. I can assure you that the stock alternator, if functioning properly can handle 1000W stereo plus more.

I've got about 900W RMS stereo plus a bunch of electronics and since doing the big-3 three I haven't had any problems. In fact my problems went away.

I'd highly highly suggest you at least upgrade your batt (-) to chassis wire to 4 gauge. Its easy and the wire is only about 12-18" long.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
That seems a bit low. I can assure you that the stock alternator, if functioning properly can handle 1000W stereo plus more.

I've got about 900W RMS stereo plus a bunch of electronics and since doing the big-3 three I haven't had any problems. In fact my problems went away.

I'd highly highly suggest you at least upgrade your batt (-) to chassis wire to 4 gauge. Its easy and the wire is only about 12-18" long.
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ok, sounds good, the ground cable hasn't been messed with since i bought her.... i've been thinking about the Big 3 for some time, guess the battery & cables would be a good start!
 
tyr0981 said:
ok, sounds good, the ground cable hasn't been messed with since i bought her.... i've been thinking about the Big 3 for some time, guess the battery & cables would be a good start!
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In the early 80's I made a lot of money off do it your selfers who had already replaced the batter and starter, usually alternator too. When in reality all they needed was a better ground connection.

For the record I have had terrible luck with Interstate batteries, although the
6V batteries in my motorhome are green. They ruined Optimas too. I used to swear by Delco, now I wish I could afford Odysseys. Go figure.

:hurt:
 
I did the "whole" Big-3 but I'm not 100% convinced it is neccessary to do the whole thing.

What I recommend is to just upgrade the cable I mentioned above and see if that fixes it. Take before and after measurements.

If you need instructions check out my thread.
 
I am also not on the bandwagon with Interstate. It is the only battery that has left me stranded. That said, when it worked it was great.

I'd check out the Diehard Platinum, but if between the two you mentioned, choose the Duralast all day long.

Perform a voltage drop test on the charging circuit to see if your cables are on the fritz. At that price point, it would be good advice as Brian advised to just do the big 3 upgrade:
Voltage Drop Testing
 
Interstate, Duralast, Costco (kirkland), Walmart Everstart MAXX, Optima, and many other 'brands', are made by Johnson Controls Inc.
 
02SE said:
Interstate, Duralast, Costco (kirkland), Walmart Everstart MAXX, Optima, and many other 'brands', are made by Johnson Controls Inc.
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No American makers no more.... you have suggestion? What's with the AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt) ? good / bad? i noticed the warranties are only around 36 months....
 
tyr0981 said:
No American makers no more.... you have suggestion? What's with the AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt) ? good / bad? i noticed the warranties are only around 36 months....
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Still made in USA just one company produces most of the batteries.

Exide is still a independent company.
 
19963.4lsr5 said:
Still made in USA just one company produces most of the batteries.

Exide is still a independent company.
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I read somewhere that there is only a few US independent makers these days, even they have to use components from say China, but are more "selective" and usually only build small batches for specialty orders...
 
Does anybody have info on AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt) batteries? good / bad? I tried Optima (5-7 years ago) and it was the shortest lived Battery of all.... is this why the AGM warranties are only around 36 months nowadays....?
 
tyr0981 said:
I read somewhere that there is only a few US independent makers these days, even they have to use components from say China, but are more "selective" and usually only build small batches for specialty orders...
Click to expand...


If you ever watched the modern marvels "lead" show you would see the Deka plant in northern Berks county PA. Then use your own opinion on if any of their components are from china.
 
My Diehard gold just crapped out, right at about 40 months and it's 36month free replacement. I know it's pro-rated now so i'll still go with a DieHard but prob upgrade to the Platinum AGM battery. I have a winch and 5 channel amp FWIW.
 
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