Originally Posted by Poppa

DanZ / Ratchey... thank you guys for the info.. I was really close to buying the Boschc AGM and then I read a few articles that talked about what you referenced.. the ability for the car's charging system to recharge an agm correctly. I have no idea how to program the ecu and to be honest, don't want to know. The ONLY reason I was thinking of the bosch agm was because the price was almost identical to a normal wet cell battery. and now, having time to re-think things, I don't run accessories on my car with the engine off so I really think an agm is probably overkill... plus my car has been running great on the wet cell panasonic that came in the car 4 1/2 years ago..... so now here's a question for you.. Now that I am sure I'm going to go with a conventional battery I have narrowed my choices to two. ( yes I know earlier I had said only 1 - but can't an old man change his mind ) One is the interstate mtp-24F. I have one in my 4 runner and it's been great. 800 CCa's, 1000 CA's. free replacement for the first 30 months, prorated after that. My second choice is an east penn battery.. Deka 724fmf. This battery has a little less juice: 725 CCA's and 890 CA's.. 2 year replacement. Even though the amps are down a little from the Interstate, it's still alot more than the oem battery has.. I discovered Deka's a few years back when I was looking for a good starting battery for my boat. Actually have a friend who used to work at East Penn and he told me that Deka's are some of the best made batterys in the country. Now I don't know anything about battery construction but he was talking about the thickness of the plates etc. all that went over my head.. I've got a Deka dealer about 45 minutes from here - he doesn't stock that particular model but he's going to look into getting one and the price.. Providing it's not much more than the interstate, which way would you go? oh, and again thank both of you gentleman for the info in your previous posts.

Roland

Originally Posted by sderman

There is always someone around to tell you that their battery is their favorite. You have been happy with it so get the Interstate MTP-24F and move on. It has similar construction but more more power than the OEM so even as it ages it will still be more powerful than most other batteries in that size category. And driving 1.5 hours RT versus shopping locally for the Interstate is costing you $50-100 in various car costs (depreciation, etc.) not to mention the value of your time.

Originally Posted by wasjr

Glad things worked out, and at a good price. I generally trade at a Firestone store close by, and just get batteries there. Recently got new Interstate MP-78 for my pickup, I think it was $125 with coupon. I'm like you, and like Interstate for warranty access as well.

I do use the Deka batteries for my boat and have had good success. There is an East Penn distributor north of town so I just take old core and swap out for a good price.