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Ben (MI) 
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Joined: 02 Jun 2010
Location: SW Lower MI
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 Topic: NAPA batteries
Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 5:48am |
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This has probably been discussed before. What's anyone's recent experience with the "commercial" line of NAPA tractor batteries, please? Been having good luck with Deere Strongbox batteries but they are getting outrageous on price.
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Part time farming with a 1980 7060 and 1984 F3 hydro.
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Fred in Pa
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Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Hanover Pa.
Points: 9210
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 6:03am |
I Sale ,Astro-lite batteries been using them for over 20 years .Really good luck with them the 6 volt battery works real well. NO REPLACEMENT for a GOOD BATTERY . You only get what you pay for. I have customers that bring me NAPA batteries to put in their tractor's n they been good also. Seen NAPA batteries over 4 -5 years old in tractors that I work on. As we know its all in how much units are run and how well charging systems work.
Edited by Fred in Pa - 06 Nov 2020 at 6:09am
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He who dies with the most toys is,
nonetheless ,still dead.
If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED.
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Steve in NJ
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Andover, NJ
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 6:12am |
Napa Batteries I believe are made by Exide for Napa. I used to use the Commercial line many years ago, and seemed to get some life expectancy out of them. I'm not sure about them now. I've been a Deka dealer now for the past 20 years or so, and the Deka's (to me anyway) seem to be a pretty tough Battery. I also flipped us over to Deka's at work for our fleet bucket trucks, and we've gotten quite a few years out of a pair of 31 series commercials. Our Freightliners at work are equipped with two 31 series Batteries and they run all the strobes, lamps, on board computers, and our linemans computers. I get about 4 years out of them, and they take some abuse. I change em' out about every four years to, so I'm not sure if we would get another year out of em' or not. Two Batteries on board our trucks take a lot of abuse... Steve@B&B
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39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife
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victoryallis
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Joined: 15 Apr 2010
Location: Ludington mi
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 6:29am |
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Very good luck with them.
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8030 and 8050MFWD, 7580, 3 6080's, 160, 7060, 175, heirloom D17, Deere 8760
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PaulB
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Rocky Ridge Md
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 6:41am |
All of the NAPA batteries that I have experience with (I didn't buy them originally, then were in something when I got it) have failed before their time. As I wasn't the original purchaser, I had no receipt or recourse. There is a BatteryOne dealer close to me that sells Deka batteries and I've had excellent service with that brand for more than 30 years. Most of them will out last the guarantee period by a couple of years. However I've found that good battery life depends on a properly working charging system.
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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY
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im4racin
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Joined: 12 Jun 2017
Location: Garrison ND
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 7:02am |
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The brand of battery Napa uses depends on your part of the country. Ours are deka.
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Ed (Ont)
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Joined: 08 Nov 2009
Location: New Lowell, Ont
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 8:26am |
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I have had good luck with my Napa 6volt in WD45. I think it is over 6 years old and still works well. Was just wondering the other day when it would fail. Don’t know who supplies them here in Canada.
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ac hunter
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Joined: 05 Jan 2011
Location: OHIO
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 9:54am |
Just replaced two NAPA 6 volt batteries in my JD 4020. (Don't worry, it's not parked in the same building as the AC tractors) They lasted 3 years and 1 month; commercial grade and cost something over $100.00 each as I remember. Am trying Rural King batteries this time. They were $79.99 each for same group and CCA. The best ones I ever had were Interstates; they lasted 7 years. Never had a Rural King battery so will see what happens. Anyone have experience with those?
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ACinSC
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Joined: 16 Dec 2015
Location: South Carolina
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 10:35am |
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I have a 1969 C 10 pickup . Several years ago I got a new battery a Walmart . It died after a couple months . Took it back and the women tested it said yeah it's dead and gave me a new one . This happened twice . Third time one of the shop guys got involved . He said you don't check a dead battery . Put it on quick charge and it tested fine . I replaced my alt and it's been fine for 2 or 3 years . Thanks !
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Clay
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Udall, Kansas
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 5:50pm |
I have had very good luck with Interstate Batteries. Put a brand new Interstate, Group 24F, 30 month, $125 battery in my D-17, yesterday.
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DMiller
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 5:54pm |
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Carquest is now selling Diehards, bought the Sears Name Brand away from them.
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tomNE
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Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: dorchester, ne
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 5:57pm |
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My battery luck is in direct link with my use of battery tenders in the winter time!
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AC from the start of my families farming career till the end!
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Gary Burnett
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Location: Virginia
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 6:20pm |
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Lowes now sell Deka batteries,order on line pickup free at local store.Very good price
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AC720Man
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 9:18pm |
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The Rural King batteries are made by Exide as are the batteries sold by TSC. I have had good luck with Exide batteries. Deka batteries are very good also, but I cant buy them locally anymore. I was told there are only 4 battery manufactures in the US and they make batteries per the customer requirements. Exide batteries have lasted 6 years in 2 of my garden tractors. I’m on my 5th year of TSC-Exide batteries in my XT.
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1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD
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HD6GTOM
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Posted: 06 Nov 2020 at 10:33pm |
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Are you guys putting a trickle charger on your batteries as soon as you get them home? If you have to put them in your vehicle and drive it home, you need to leave it on a trickle charger over night. Alternators/generators are not made to put a deep charge into any battery. They are made to maintain the charge the battery contains. This comes from battery school many years ago. By doing this, I usually get 7-10 years out of a battery. I also put the trickle charger on everything not being used in December and leave it on that battery overnight.
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shameless dude
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Posted: 07 Nov 2020 at 12:51am |
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i always full charge any new battery i bring home before installing them, then the alt will maintain that...i think! our new NAPA store had a special on their batteries once and i bought a couple. they really didn't last any longer than any other battery i had.
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ac hunter
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Posted: 07 Nov 2020 at 7:34am |
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So you guys are saying the batteries should be fully charged before using them? Sounds like the alternator will not increase the charge in the battery but only maintain the level existing when the battery is installed. Never heard that logic before but sounds like a good idea. Does the same thinking apply to a generator system?
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SteveM C/IL
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Location: Shelbyville IL
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Posted: 07 Nov 2020 at 9:26am |
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My battery store says they don't need put on a charger new....maybe he's wanting to sell more?
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Gary Burnett
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Posted: 07 Nov 2020 at 9:34am |
 SteveM C/IL wrote:
My battery store says they don't need put on a charger new....maybe he's wanting to sell more? |
I just put batteries in as I buy them,got 9 years out of the last set in my diesel truck. Also get good service out of the batteries in my tractors.
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jeickman01
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Posted: 08 Nov 2020 at 7:28pm |
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Was a Deere parts rep at one time and also a NAPA store owner. Exide at the time made batteries for both. The Deere batteries were "dry charged" which meant that acid was not put in the battery and its life didn't begin until you bought it. An acid filled battery that has been on the shelf for awhile before you put it into service is no going to last as long. It had extra features such as "bottom anchored" plates to resist vibration damage. All that being said, any battery that is not in constant use may sulfate and not take a charge or destroyed in freezing temperatures if not charged.
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DIESEL
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Posted: 08 Nov 2020 at 11:22pm |
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They are all I will buy, I've had excellent luck with them.
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tx091
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Posted: 11 Nov 2020 at 4:18pm |
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I use a 190xt gas with a loader for only blowing snow in Southern MN, this fall i went out to check things over for winter and the battery was too low to start tractor, i complained to my self for buying a cheap Dura Start battery from the local Runnings, that thing wasnt that old, i took it out and saw the date on the side of the battery "2006" that is not lie, i went back to Runnings and bought another one as if that one lasted that long they cant be that bad. With my luck it will go bad way sooner that the previous one.
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Steve in NJ
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Posted: 13 Nov 2020 at 1:53pm |
Tom is on the money wit' that. Anytime you purchase a new Battery, it should be slow charged for a day before being put into service. At least a few hours anyway. I've mentioned that in the past here when this subject came up. When the Batteries reserve is high, the Alternator just maintains its full reserve charge. Battery tenders prolong the life of unused Batteries in the Winter months. The tenders keep the electrolyte "active" in the Batteries when they sit. Keeps the acid from "bridging" between the plates which will dead short the Battery internally. You'd be a bit surprised how many of our customer's electrical issues is caused by a low or bad Battery when its put back into service after its been sitting for a while. Doesn't matter if its new or used. Sometimes folks pull their hair out trying to figure out what's wrong with the Tractor and the culprit is the Battery all along, especially when the Battery is pretty new... Steve@B&B
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39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife
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LouSWPA
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Posted: 13 Nov 2020 at 2:03pm |
I get a real charge out of these battery questions
Edited by LouSWPA - 13 Nov 2020 at 2:04pm
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I am still confident of this;
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Ps 27
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allischalmerguy
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Posted: 14 Nov 2020 at 6:32pm |
HD6GTOM wrote:
Are you guys putting a trickle charger on your batteries as soon as you get them home? If you have to put them in your vehicle and drive it home, you need to leave it on a trickle charger over night. Alternators/generators are not made to put a deep charge into any battery. They are made to maintain the charge the battery contains. This comes from battery school many years ago. By doing this, I usually get 7-10 years out of a battery. I also put the trickle charger on everything not being used in December and leave it on that battery overnight. |
Tom, How do you know when a like a 6 amp charger has been on a 12 v battery long enough? Thanks Mike
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It is great being a disciple of Jesus! 1950 WD, 1957 D17...retired in Iowa,
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Ted in NE-OH
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Posted: 14 Nov 2020 at 7:06pm |
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I have been putting regulators on my 6v tractors as I can't guess the state of charge.
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CA, WD, C, 3 Bs, 2 Gs, WC, I-400, 914
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m16ty
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Posted: 14 Nov 2020 at 9:18pm |
I think there are something like 3 battery manufacturers that make all the batteries, the EPA has shut most of them down. That being said, I do think that the factories that still produce them make many different grades.
I've had good luck with NAPA batteries. I've also had good luck with Interstate and Deka. Most of what we run these days are Deka, mainly becuase we have a local store that sells nothing but batteries and battery accessories, and Deka is their top brand, so we mainly deal with them and buy Deka.
I know it used to be that if you got 5 years out of a battery you were lucky, with most not lasting more than 3 or 4. We've had a few that have went 10 years before replacement. I think battery quality as a whole has improved a bunch in the last few years.
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m16ty
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Posted: 14 Nov 2020 at 9:28pm |
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I've also got quite a few used batteries lately. We have a shop that rents a building from us that does fire engine repair. Fire departments change their batteries every 3 years, reguardless of condition. If you catch them doing a battery change out, they will usually give me the batteries for the price of the core.
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Steve in NJ
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Posted: 15 Nov 2020 at 7:13am |
Trickle chargers will usually shut off automatically once the reserve is met in the Battery by the diode built in them. When a new 12V Battery is purchased, a slow 3 hour charge to build reserve up should be adequate. A draw test on the Battery after its been charged and sitting for about 15-20 minutes should show you an accurate rate. When you pull a draw, the needle shouldn't hardly move and stay rock solid. If it does that, you're good ta' go! On 6V versions, I like to leave them on the charger for a longer period of time to build reserve with a low 3 amp charge being put into them. Batteries are flukey. Its 8 minutes or 8 years. LOL! Like Fred mentioned, its how much the Tractor or vehicle is used and if the charging system is on the money and in good working order.... Steve@B&B
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39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife
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CTuckerNWIL
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Posted: 15 Nov 2020 at 8:37am |
My 6 volt Interstate battery in the WC is only 10 years old and crapped out on me this summer  I suppose I'll have to replace it before next springs fire-up 
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