Growing up doesn't have to suck

[Sparksalot]

Rushed home yesterday to get cleaned up to head out to Kin's school play. Running with no time to spare, I hopped in the Tahoe and turned the key- nothing. Battery couldn't have been more lifeless if it were a ghost.

So, y'all remember that time I installed a subwoofer and forgot to run a remote wire so I tapped into the power wire for the power fold/tumble seat? Yeah? Well, I forgot to turn it off when I got home Tuesday night. I hooked up the charger and stole the work van to make it to the play. Afterwards, Walmart was the only place still open. After reading some reviews, watching a Project Farm video and calculating other factors of my current situation, I went to Walmart and picked up the best they had. I've always gotten Super Start batteries from O'Reilly. But this EverStart looks identical and was $70 cheaper ($180 vs. $250). Has the same specs, an extra year of warranty, and was cheaper than the SS Premium I would've gotten from O'Reilly. TLE was closed and the lights were off, so I helped myself to the battery rack and dug in the back to find one dated 4/23. Hecho en Alemania:

View attachment 398503


I had to make it appropriate for Cinco do Mayo, so I added some avocados to the cart. That was my 9:00 Friday night- a car battery and avocados.

Made by Johnson Controls.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Made by Johnson Controls.

Much research lead me to buying Walmart batteries. They are all the same (Johnson controls manufactured) with different stickers. Even my ACDelco was identical to the Walmart version. All the parts store batteries except NAPA are made by them.

 

[randeez]

That's why they call them big Johnson batteries

 

[gooffeyguy]

Nice

 

[Tonyrodz]

That's why they call them big Johnson batteries

Exactly the same---but different.

 

[Sparksalot]

Much research lead me to buying Walmart batteries. They are all the same (Johnson controls manufactured) with different stickers. Even my ACDelco was identical to the Walmart version. All the parts store batteries except NAPA are made by them.

Back when I was researching AGM replacements for thecopcar I learned there are only three companies that actually manufacture them in the USA. Johnson, East Penn, and a third whose name escapes me. Neither Interstate nor Optima make their own AGMs.

 

[randeez]

Back when I was researching AGM replacements for thecopcar I learned there are only three companies that actually manufacture them in the USA. Johnson, East Penn, and a third whose name escapes me. Neither Interstate nor Optima make their own AGMs.

deka?

maybe not...looks like those are east penn also

 

[Fless]

Back when I was researching AGM replacements for thecopcar I learned there are only three companies that actually manufacture them in the USA. Johnson, East Penn, and a third whose name escapes me. Neither Interstate nor Optima make their own AGMs.

Made in Germany

 

[iamdub]

Back when I was researching AGM replacements for thecopcar I learned there are only three companies that actually manufacture them in the USA. Johnson, East Penn, and a third whose name escapes me. Neither Interstate nor Optima make their own AGMs.

Made in Germany
View attachment 398654

Clarios bought JC's automotive battery division and now make the majority of automotive AGM batterys. They have multiple plants in Germany. I wouldn't be surprised if they're the OEM supplier for BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc.

With all the reading I did, the best conclusion I could reach was that the country of origin varies by the type of battery, even under the same brand or manufacturer. I feel warm and cozy with a German-made battery. Them sour fcukers tend to be as ąnal as I am when it comes to manufacturing.

 

[iamdub]

Burned the E10 down until less than 35 miles to empty, until the cluster no longer displayed an estimated DTE. Then rode around a little more. Poured in 13.677 gallons of E85 (only $35!) and rode around until the scanner seemed to settle on 56.7% Ethanol. I'll pull a fuel sample to compare when I'm under the hood to replace the alternator. I hope to do this tomorrow but I never know how work or UPS's delivery will go.