Another Battery Question

If there are only about three companies making batteries now-a-days then who
makes Delco batteries? Way back when we had WD (through our hardware and
autoparts store) pricing for AC/Delco parts (15-20 years ago) we sold Delco
batteries, and of the various types we had sold we had the fewest (almost
none) problems with Delco batteries. We stocked them for everything.

Since I started buying new GM/Chevy trucks in 2001 I have had battery
problems with every single one. Well, my brand new 2008 has not had any
problems yet, but its only a couple months old. Anyway, I had several of
them replaced under warranty, but I got tired of having to have the truck(s)
towed over to them so they could remove the old and install the new batttery
to qualify under warranty. Between time lost and effort it was cheaper to
just go buy a battery and replace it myself.

2001 Sonoma
2002 S-10
2002 Avalanche (1/2 ton Z66)
2003 Silverado 2500HD
2004 Colorado

2008 Silverado 1500 (still has stock battery for now)

I just started installing CarQuest labeled 84 month warranty batteries, and
I have not had a problem since. Even on the 2002 S-10 that went through
three Delco batteries in the first year and a half. The battery in that
truck is well over 3 years old now.

Since some hear have claimed that there are only three companies making
batteries anymore. With that being said is one of those plants better or
worse than the others?

Is there any way to identify which is which?

If I had a short life battery in just one truck I'ld have thought it was
normal. It happens, but in five different trucks? I suppose I should say
that the S-10 had a unique failure on two of its three failures. The first
two failed because one of the terminals fell off (out of?) the battery. The
others just all failed in less than 18 months. Sometimes much less.

I don't leave the lights on. My trucks are each driven by different
employees, and we don't use them idling to run equipment. Other than being
used as work vehicles to carry tools and supplies they are driven normally
and serviced more regularly than the average personal vehicle.

I'm sure my experience with Delco batteries has to be unique with so many
failures, but still even if I happened to just get 8 bad batteries that
would still indicate what I would think is a higher than average number of
bad batteries in service. All were under warranty, but I quit putting Delco
batteries back in, and just started spending cash for the long warranty
CarQuest label batteries because I don't seem to have the short life with
them. I have yet to have to replace even one of them. All have been in
service longer than the longest service life I got out of the factory
batteries. Why? We have not driven them differently. Except for the S-10
leaking acid out of the broken terminals there was no corrosion. I do coat
all battery terminals with grease when replacing a battery, but I can't
imagine that tiny bit of preventative maintenance can be making the
difference.

P.S. The CarQuest batteries are not cheap. I don't mind paying a
reasonable price for good equipment.

--
Sincerly,
The guy who makes the final decision
on who we do business with.
Bob La Londe

The Security Consultant
Bob La Londe - Owner
P.O. Box 5720
Yuma, Az 85366

(928) 782-9765 ofc
(928) 782-7873 fax

Licensed Contractor
ROC103044 & ROC103047