Replacement Engine/Starting Battery-Group 49 or H8

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
1. Overview Thread from Other Subforum

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52421&highlight=Group+battery

2. Other Threads

Lots of other threads re engjne/starting battery. If there is a particularly good one, please post.

3. Charging

Engine alternator charges engine/starting battery.

In addition, the original Westfalia battery charger will charge the engine/starting battery for 3 hours IF the battery charger determines the engine/starting battery voltage is low.

4. Voltmeter

The central computer console shows the voltage of the coach/house batteries. The voltage readings can also be used as a rough indicator of what the alternator voltage is putting put (if all batteries are mostly charged).

5. AGM Battery

An AGM battery ($200 or more) is usually more expensive than a regular lead-acid battery ($110 or more).

For Westy owners, the AGM battery offers several advantages in handling frequent use of the Espar hydronic heater (when the Espar Airtronic coach heat r is on the blink), heavy radio and other electronic (CB, GPS, etc.) use off engine/starting battery, and frequent offroad or bad road conditions with lots of vibrations.

AGM batteries can take more frequent and deeper discharges and can handle vibrations better.

6. Sears Diehard Gold AGM Group 49

Currently on sale for $145 (so 25% off the higher list price). Three year full replacement warranty.

(Please feel free to list othee good deals, especialky on AGM batteries.)
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
6. (contnued) Sears Advanced Gold (AGM) Group 49

Sears Part #: 50749
Sears Item #: 02850749 000
850 CCA. 92AmpHr
36 Month Free Replacement Warranty

No extended prorated warranty (thought there was a link for an extended limited warranty, but link references disappeared on Sears website today).

(NOTE: Warranty is cutdown if vehicle is not for personal use but commercial. N/A to Westies but just a note. Also, warranty is tied to a specific vehicle.)

The AGM designation is in tiny print on the battery label. There is a month/year sticker which is nice.

There is an installation fee (but if you can lift the 58 lb battery (and old one), might take your time to clean everything and do it yourself). Stepstool is handy.

Internet Gossip:

Based on price and specs (similar advertising language), people believe this battery is made by East Penn, and is identical in build and specs as the Deka Intimidator, Autozone Duralast Platinum, O'Reilly SuperStart Extreme, Sam's Club Duracell AGM, AC Delco, etc.

Generally, Sam's Club Duracell AGM has the lowest list price, even beating sales prices.

There are not many manufacturers of AGM batteries with the top quality/expensive ones being Odyssey maker, Concorde, Northstar? And the spiral cell one.

Below that top tier group of manufacturers who use the purest metals, a major manufacturer is East Penn (often associated with Deka)

So maybe shop based on price, warranty, distribution store network, and ease of return.

If you go to Sears, you may not see the sales price advertised. Just show them the sales price on Sears.com and the local store.

Unfortunately, no one seems to know when the Sears sale is going to end.

California (and some other state) has a weird core or exchange charge/fee plus sales tax on that charge/fee. The charge/fee is given to the buyer upon exchange of the old battery but the sale tax is not refunded. Would think the transactions are one and the same, but guess stores and Cal like to treat like a rebate (sales tax on a higher price, with a rebate of the core charge/fee).

Caution re core charges when getting warranty. Some stores (Walmart) try to charge the core charge again, even thought you are returning the defective battery.

Sometimes, the store gives you a refund at customer service for the defective battery and the auto dept then wants to charge you a core fee--so need to coordinate return of defective battery. New batteries may also have gone up in price so you end up with a "free" replacement which costs you. Costco.

Costco probably has the easiest warranty exchange. Just bring the battery in.

Other stores may want to see the vehicle tied to.the battery (warranty is good only to original purchaser and original vehicle) and then test the batteries and find they are perfect.
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
6. (continued) Sears Advanced Diehard AGM

Consumer Reports found that the same brand may vary widely in their rankings based on battery size.

Unfortunately, don't think there are any Group 49 ratings. (Sears Advanced Gold AGM did poorly in Group 48 size; Groups 48 and 49 are common European vehicle sizes).

Cross my fingers and let's see how it does.
 
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OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
7. Walmart EverStart Maxx

Walmart Maxx (regular flooded) have had high rankings in various sizes. The Walmart warranty has changed over time, so make sure to keep that info together.

Years ago (2010), the Walmart Group 49 Maxx was a good deal at around $77 or so. Then the price went up. Current price for equivalent size H8 is around $120 so AGM batteries might be work extra bucks if can get for $140-$150.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-MAXX-H8-Automotive-Battery/16782659

Mine from November 2010 seems fine. Every 2 weeks or so, I put the battery on a battery minder for a day or so to make sure battery is fully charged. But, figure better safe than sorry and am trying the Sears Advanced Gold AGM one.

The Walmart warranty had changed on that Nov 2010 battery to a fixed period and no prorations (I think I'm out of warranty), and I was also a bit soured on Walmart's big hassle warranty on a Group 48 battery for another vehicle. Will note that a Walmart employee was really helpful in checking their stock and getting me a newer Group 48 battery from the back than the ones on display. I had previously used a Costco Group 48 for that vehicle but they stopped carrying. Internet Gossip: Costco batteries used to be made by Johnson Controls and for last couple of years, by maker of Interstate batteries.
 
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OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
Note re Costco: Costco Kirkland (Costco inhouse brand) batteries were made by Johnson Controls. Then, Costco stopped selling their store brand and started selling Interstate batteries. Interstate batteries are often made by Johnson Controls (so changeover may just be the stickers).

Currently, do not see any Group 49 batteries at Costco.

Years ago, Costco used to have a larger selection of batteries. But, it is worthwhile to check your Costco (or one along your travels), because different Costco's may carry a different selection. For example, some Costco's near resort golf club communities may carry a large selection of golf cart batteries.
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
6. (continued) Sears Diehard Advanced Gold

Whoops--Sears just announced today that they have various business issues which may result in Sears closing. So if you need that warranty, may need to weigh the odds of Sears being able to honor it.
 

autostaretx

Erratic Member
Sears is attempting to sell the Diehard brand (they've already sold Craftsman to Stanley/Black&Decker), so the warranty may continue.

--dick
 

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