starting battery at Costco
- Thread starter autocamp
- Start date
1. AGM batteries for a starting battery for a Westy may be a good choice even if a bit more expensive than regular batteries.
They discharge more slowly when not in use than regularly flooded batteries--a nice feature if you're not using your Westy on a weekly basis.
(I've noticed this on a Sears Platinum AGM Starting Battery versus the original Sprinter battery and the Walmart regular flooded starting battery. A battery maintenance charger like Battery Tender or Battery Minder is a good thing to have.)
They are also supposed to be more resistant to the constant bumps of bad roads or offroad.
2. Costco is a good place to buy batteries. During the warranty period, they do not test and claim the batteries are still good. Instead, you just return the battery for a refund rather than getting a replacement battery (at least that's how they did it a couple of years ago).
Also, you can look through the batteries and see how new they are (the little sticker). I like to buy the newest batteries but as AGM batteries discharge slowly, a couple months old is probably okay.
Two things to watch if your battery dies during the warranty period.
First, the battery prices may have gone up during the warranty period so your replacement battery during the warranty period may have gone up. On the other hand, your replacement battery has the full warranty.
Second, be careful that you work with Costco so they do not charge you another core charge. As you are returning the defective battery, that should take care of the core charge. You may have to argue awhile if they don't understand.
They discharge more slowly when not in use than regularly flooded batteries--a nice feature if you're not using your Westy on a weekly basis.
(I've noticed this on a Sears Platinum AGM Starting Battery versus the original Sprinter battery and the Walmart regular flooded starting battery. A battery maintenance charger like Battery Tender or Battery Minder is a good thing to have.)
They are also supposed to be more resistant to the constant bumps of bad roads or offroad.
2. Costco is a good place to buy batteries. During the warranty period, they do not test and claim the batteries are still good. Instead, you just return the battery for a refund rather than getting a replacement battery (at least that's how they did it a couple of years ago).
Also, you can look through the batteries and see how new they are (the little sticker). I like to buy the newest batteries but as AGM batteries discharge slowly, a couple months old is probably okay.
Two things to watch if your battery dies during the warranty period.
First, the battery prices may have gone up during the warranty period so your replacement battery during the warranty period may have gone up. On the other hand, your replacement battery has the full warranty.
Second, be careful that you work with Costco so they do not charge you another core charge. As you are returning the defective battery, that should take care of the core charge. You may have to argue awhile if they don't understand.
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The funny thing is the Costco Interstate H8 AGM battery from AutoCamp's photo looks identical to my AutoCraft Platinum H8 AGM (Advance Auto), minus stickers.
AutoCraft Platinum H8 AGM (Advance Auto)
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...ttery-group-size-h8-900-cca-h8-agm/10210828-P
Costco Interstate H8 AGM (online housing appears different than AutoCamp pic, but same stickers)
https://costco.interstatebatteries....06&choice4=1569607&choice5=1569608&Country=US
Interstate Dealer H8 AGM (NOT Costco version)
https://www.interstatebatteries.com/products/mtx-49/h8
I wonder how different the AutoCraft and Costco Interstate batteries are minus the stickers? I believe Johnson Controls manufactures Costco, Interstate, and Adavance Auto batteries... among many others. To my knowledge, there's really only Johnson Controls, Deka, and East Penn making most batteries for US brands.
I only checked pricing for my local Costco zip code, which is $177.99 plus $15 core. Not sure if this is nationwide or not. AutoCraft is $199.99 plus $22 core (w/ free shipping), but Advance Auto ALWAYS has a coupon code at the top of the page (It was 25% off when I got mine, and 20% currently).
Many matching specs (900 CCA/58.8 vs 58.7lbs/RC 160/etc). There's the same QR code/serial on the housing. I even see the same mini instruction manual on the positive cover. There's no way of seeing if the guts are different, so it will be interesting to see how the two last over time.
BTW, I believe the dealer version of the Interstate one's used to be more translucent like the old VARTA. Maybe it's just my eyes, but the current dealer one's look more reflective (not just the sticker):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUvob0Oz0Cg
AutoCraft Platinum H8 AGM (Advance Auto)
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...ttery-group-size-h8-900-cca-h8-agm/10210828-P
Costco Interstate H8 AGM (online housing appears different than AutoCamp pic, but same stickers)
https://costco.interstatebatteries....06&choice4=1569607&choice5=1569608&Country=US
Interstate Dealer H8 AGM (NOT Costco version)
https://www.interstatebatteries.com/products/mtx-49/h8
I wonder how different the AutoCraft and Costco Interstate batteries are minus the stickers? I believe Johnson Controls manufactures Costco, Interstate, and Adavance Auto batteries... among many others. To my knowledge, there's really only Johnson Controls, Deka, and East Penn making most batteries for US brands.
I only checked pricing for my local Costco zip code, which is $177.99 plus $15 core. Not sure if this is nationwide or not. AutoCraft is $199.99 plus $22 core (w/ free shipping), but Advance Auto ALWAYS has a coupon code at the top of the page (It was 25% off when I got mine, and 20% currently).
Many matching specs (900 CCA/58.8 vs 58.7lbs/RC 160/etc). There's the same QR code/serial on the housing. I even see the same mini instruction manual on the positive cover. There's no way of seeing if the guts are different, so it will be interesting to see how the two last over time.
BTW, I believe the dealer version of the Interstate one's used to be more translucent like the old VARTA. Maybe it's just my eyes, but the current dealer one's look more reflective (not just the sticker):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUvob0Oz0Cg
Does the Costco battery come with the vent elbow?
The lack of one with the AutoCraft was the one annoyance with the battery, but the local store gave one for free.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/autocraft-battery-vent-elbow-6mm-ac924-253/10720898-P
Some people believe AGM batteries don't need to be vented, but if the battery has a hole, I want it connected to a tube.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/...ould-still-be-vented-if-they-have-a-vent-hole
https://rvnerds.com/2017/11/01/electrical-myths-part-4-agm-batteries-dont-need-venting/
https://www.boats.com/how-to/sealed-batteries-still-need-venting/
The lack of one with the AutoCraft was the one annoyance with the battery, but the local store gave one for free.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/autocraft-battery-vent-elbow-6mm-ac924-253/10720898-P
Some people believe AGM batteries don't need to be vented, but if the battery has a hole, I want it connected to a tube.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/...ould-still-be-vented-if-they-have-a-vent-hole
https://rvnerds.com/2017/11/01/electrical-myths-part-4-agm-batteries-dont-need-venting/
https://www.boats.com/how-to/sealed-batteries-still-need-venting/
Mein Sprinter
Known member
Sprinter Guru Dennis Linden of Linden Engineering/Golden, Colo. installed similar. Available at local Auto stores: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...emium-group-size-49-h8-battery/49prmj/4742687. My original European Varta gave 10 years of service. Super Start comes with a Complimentary Road Assistance thrown in.
cheers...
cheers...
A friend worked a Viewmaster MANY years ago making slide projectors for various retailers. She said K-mart branded got plastic gears while Sears got metal gears. Looked exact on the outside, but different bits internally.
Kevin.Hutch
2011 Mercedes 313 906
I believe one point missed in the discussion is that AGM batteries dislike heat more so than flooded batteries and as such I believe is why the NCV3 battery being AGM is not in the engine compartment, I would be unsure of placing an AGM in the engine compartment depending your climate expectations.
autostaretx
Erratic Member
I agree that the OEM Varta was the best battery i've ever owned.
The O'Reilly battery you're pointing at is flooded lead acid, not AGM.
(and only a 2 year warranty?)
Home Depot's warranty is/was 3 years, last i looked. But may well be old stock. (check when shopping).
MB offered an AGM starting battery option for the T1Ns, even though they are located under the hood/bonnet.
--dick
Mein Sprinter
Known member
Yes, I know. This super Start 49 is a lead/acid battery just like the OEM Varta. Didn't want a AGM.
Hmmnn..I have a 48 month warranty on mine without additional costs! Just to mentioned that this Super Start can also be had from O'Reilly (maybe they have a lower warranty as per company policy??)
cheers...
autostaretx
Erratic Member
There are different chemistries between various brands of "lead acid" batteries.
The Varta has the "cadmium" flavor (i['m not going to go dig up references today).
Warranties are a mix of the quality level the vendor (O'Reilly) demanded of their manufacturer, and who bears the cost of a warranty replacement. ((the same is true of computer disk drives ... warranties from "none" to "5 year", all from the same manufacturer for apparently equivalent drives))
--dick
The Varta has the "cadmium" flavor (i['m not going to go dig up references today).
Warranties are a mix of the quality level the vendor (O'Reilly) demanded of their manufacturer, and who bears the cost of a warranty replacement. ((the same is true of computer disk drives ... warranties from "none" to "5 year", all from the same manufacturer for apparently equivalent drives))
--dick
Anyone have luck getting the Interstate from Costco recently? It’s showing not available now ?
SprintyRentals.com
Sprinter vans, all day long!
Grabbed one from Vista, CA. All good.