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From: rctracy@uokvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Car Batteries - (nf)
Message-ID: <6115@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 9-Mar-84 22:57:35 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.6115
Posted: Fri Mar  9 22:57:35 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 11-Mar-84 01:23:13 EST
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#R:umcp-cs:-567900:uokvax:1100009:000:2642
uokvax!rctracy    Mar  8 14:06:00 1984

If there is a Willard dealer in your area, I would be inclined to
give them a try.  Willard is one of those manufacturers that 
produces batteries for the rest of the world to put their names on.
Dealing directly with the manufacturer through a warehouse here in
Oklahoma City resulted in my getting a LARGE 5-year battery for
only $50.  The nicest thing about this battery is the warranty
service at this location:  If my battery goes dead after 4 years,
364 days, I get another free...  That's right, none of this pro-
rated crap!

Experiences with other batteries:

	(1) J.C. Penney --  (maintenance free) Fine until
	    you get a failure under load, at which time
	    the underside of your hood gets a sulfuric acid
	    bath.  In all fairness, I have heard that this
	    is a fairly common occurence with maintenance
	    free batteries due to the "sealed" design and
	    its accompanying ventilation problems.
	    I've gone through two of their "lifetime"
	    (no longer available) batteries.  The first one
	    failed under load and exploded.  The second one
	    failed under load as well, but I recognized the
	    symptoms and caught it before the explosion.  The
	    average lifetime turns out to be 4 years, which
	    seemed to be respectable.  Great battery to have
	    during cold weather, and it will tolerate long
	    storage periods (> 3 months) well.

	(2) Interstate -- Available at most service stations
	    and/or garages.  Seems to be a fine battery.  I've
	    had no complaints about the ones I've used, and
	    the maintenance free variety doesn't seem to have
	    the explosive tendencies of the Penney's battery.

	(3) Die Hard -- (Sears & Roebuck) I've never owned one
	    because there is never a sale going on when I need
	    one.  My friends have had good luck with them though.

	(4) Get Away -- (Wards; maintenance free) My mother is
	    using one of the 5-year batteries in her car, which
	    sees maybe 4 miles of usage per day (2 miles in the
	    morning to work and then again in the afternoon).
	    If this battery can stay charged under these
	    circumstances, I have to recommend it!  Seems to be
	    a good performer thus far (after two years).

One rule I tend to follow when buying ANY battery is to get the
largest one that will fit in the vehicle.  Hang the vehicle
manufacturer's recommendations unless they agree with this!  It
may seem like overkill at the time, but the first cold morning
will convince you otherwise...  My peace of mind is worth the
(usually) small price difference between the larger and the
smaller battery.

		--Bob Tracy
		...!ctvax!uokvax!rctracy