Jack, I have been using the Wal-mart batteries for years now just of the
reason that they seem to hold up pretty well and if I have a problem I
can just swap them with no hassle.  I will probably start a flame war
but the batteries I take out and junk the most are Die Hard the irony of
which is not lost on me :-)  They should be renamed Die Easy and I when
I see one in a van now I automatically cringe.  Thanks for the tip on
looking at the build date, I would have never thought of that.

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242

On 11/9/2010 8:04 PM, Jack R. wrote:
> Just sharing a recent battery shopping experience... as winter is
> approaching, some of you on the list may be in the market for a new battery
> for your Vanagon.
>
>
>
> I just picked up a battery at Wal-Mart for my 2000 Volvo XC70, group 48 - -
> 825 Amp / 700 CCA... Everstart Maxx - 3 year full replacement warranty for
> $77!  (Dealer charges over $300 for OEM).  The Wal-Mart batteries are now
> made by Johnson Controls... and are typically very "Fresh" this one had a
> date code of 10/10.
>
>
>
> So, checked on the cost of a Group 41 (Size for Vanagon)... and discovered
> that they had the basic "Everstart" with a 1 year full replacement warranty,
> also by Johnson Controls, 780 Amp / 650 CCA for only $67.00  Not bad, if you
> are on a budget and need to keep your vanagon going through the winter.  I
> know other batteries have more amps... but for that price, hard to turn
> down.  The data code was on the Group 41 in front of the rack was 1/09.
> However, when I looked to the back and they had fresher batteries.  It is
> worth pulling the old batteries off the rack, and digging for the freshest
> one.  The warranty is 1 year from date of purchase, so keep your receipt.
>
>
>
> Just as an FYI... be careful to also check the manufacturer name printed on
> the battery... They have some old Exide-made batteries, which are not as
> good as the Johnson Controls batteries.
>
>
>
> Jack R.
>
> 84 Westy
>