Consumer Reports warns us that the Duralast Platinum have been failing their durability tests at high rates, group size 48 samples at 3, 5, and 6 weeks, and 4 group size 65 samples at 12 weeks. Apparently this is the worst for all batteries tested.
I had a Duralast Gold, I know it's a step down from the Platinum. But I went thru 5 batteries in 2 years. Apparently this isn't all that uncommon. The only thing good I can say is Autozone gave me no hassles and didn't question me at all when I took each in to get another. But I suspect that was because they know how crappy the batteries are.
just out of curiousity, whats the climate like where you live? garage or no garage? stock car w/ no boom boom stereo? 5 batteries in 2 years is pretty insane...
my original battery gave me 36 months on the nose, and my first costco battery lasted me about 4 years before not starting after leaving it sit for a week.
So Cal, it was never garaged. I did have 2 amps and 2 12" subs. After the 5th lemon I gave up and bought an XS Power from the stereo shop. It lasted me until I sold the car 3 years later. Of course it was a hair over 3x the price so it's not fair to compare the 2. The only batteries I dislike as much as Duralast are Energizers, I had super bad luck with them too.
Interesting. I have an Energizer from 09 still going strong.
But the thing is i have now had my battery for 7 months now and it still as strong as when i got it i can run my 2300 watt system off it for 3-4 hours and it starts up fine like it would any other time. I just dont trust everything on the web that much cause there is a lot of false thing i trust life experiences and fact over that.Consumer Reports warns us that the Duralast Platinum have been failing their durability tests at high rates, group size 48 samples at 3, 5, and 6 weeks, and 4 group size 65 samples at 12 weeks. Apparently this is the worst for all batteries tested.
I've always gone with Interstate. Never had a problem or regret.
ZV
Jonson Control batteries have gone way down hill. If you Google around a lot of people don't like Interstate or Optima's any more. Optima's use to be the battery. They're not complete junk but they suck now. I was a day away from ordering one, but talking to people who have them, outside of the name they shouldn't even be considered the same battery any more. If you don't want to spend $$$ get the Walmart, it will be as good as something more expensive like a Exide.
I just replace battery in my Jeep (OEM - 6 years) with the WalMart of the same specs - $150
3 year free replacement - + 2 additional years pro-rated.
AutoZone batteries were $50 more for same specs
But the thing is i have now had my battery for 7 months now and it still as strong as when i got it i can run my 2300 watt system off it for 3-4 hours and it starts up fine like it would any other time. I just dont trust everything on the web that much cause there is a lot of false thing i trust life experiences and fact over that.
Just because it's a "2,300 watt" system doesn't mean it's drawing that much power all the time. 2,300 watts at 12.6 volts is over 180 amps.
Most automotive starter batteries are in the 40-50 amp-hour range.
An automotive battery would only be able to supply 2300 watts for an ideal maximum of just under 17 minutes before hitting 100% discharged.
To run for 4 hours and still have enough juice left to start an engine, you're looking at a maximum average amp draw of somwehere in the neighborhood of 5-6 amps. This means that your "2,300 watt" system is, in reality, only drawing about 70 watts. Assuming your little tale is even true.
Science. It works.
ZV
Just because it's a "2,300 watt" system doesn't mean it's drawing that much power all the time. 2,300 watts at 12.6 volts is over 180 amps.
Most automotive starter batteries are in the 40-50 amp-hour range.
An automotive battery would only be able to supply 2300 watts for an ideal maximum of just under 17 minutes before hitting 100% discharged.
To run for 4 hours and still have enough juice left to start an engine, you're looking at a maximum average amp draw of somwehere in the neighborhood of 5-6 amps. This means that your "2,300 watt" system is, in reality, only drawing about 70 watts. Assuming your little tale is even true.
Science. It works.
ZV
Optimas used to be great batteries but when the company was bought out, they went with much lower quality building standards and materials and consequently their batteries have suffered. I've experienced optima batteries pre 2005 and post 2005 and there is a big difference. I've even had optima batteries made pre 2005 outlast post 2005 batteries. That's pathetic!
. 2 weeks later I'm listening to music on my Pioneer head unit with no external amp for around 2 hours and when I tried to start my car, nothing. Dunno who makes Bosch, but if I had to take a wild guess I'd say....
Johnson Control.
How many amp hour battery? Like what size battery for the car? I wouldn't necessarily blame that on the battery as a combination of insufficient charging voltage from your car's charging system + a big battery discharge = no engine crank which can happen to anybody.
Don't recall the exact specs it was 35 iirc, but the battery I replaced it with is 120aH. Ok, it was 2.5x the price of the Bosch, but there was no Johnson Control battery I could find at any price that was rated that high. Even the Optima is rated at something like 65aH which is a joke for a supposed uber high end battery. I understand cutting corners to save money, and I understand to the average consumer 35aH would be plenty. But JC has the ability to make premium batteries. They could at least have 1 line for people like me. I mean the stereo shop up the street has a $650 I think it's a Skuriken battery. And you can get a $150 Stinger that imho kills anything JC produces. But I'm not a battery expert, I just know with the power stereos I've had in most of my cars that JC batters are utter junk.