Is it necessary to buy OEM batteries?

bi241.TakeThisOut@scn.org wrote:
> On Feb 5, 3:12 am, "Dave and Trudy" <dtdod....TakeThisOut@acsalaska.net> wrote:
>> "ident" <a....TakeThisOut@asdf.eu> wrote in message
>>
>> news:13qf4hjnh5v9j4a@corp.supernews.com...
>>
>>> bi....TakeThisOut@scn.org wrote:
>> ///snipped///
>>> The owners manual doesn't list the battery group size, unfortunately.
>>> The OEM battery is 500 amps (51R/500AMP85 as listed at a Honda eStore).
>>> The Interstate MT-51R battery is also 500 amps. The Diehard is 700
>>> amps, which would have been more than required and a waste, I guess.
>>> You guys saved me $10-$17.
>> Two points: 1) the OEM battery is a Group 51 with reversed posts (the 51R in
>> the listing at the Honda eStore), with a capacity of 500AMP/h); 2) The 700Ah
>> rating of the DieHard is NOT a waste it only means that there are 700A
>> available IF required. Contrary to another poster, this will not shorten
>> your charging circuits life! Now, you say you saved money buying the
>> Interstate, is this correct? What is the warranty on each battery? If both
>> are the same then you did save some money. If the DieHard had a better
>> warranty then perhaps you didn't really save money. This, naturally, was
>> your choice. Good luck. Keep your connections clean and your battery dry.
>>
>> DaveD
>
>
> electric circuit theory is above the scope of pop science, and is
> abstract to the average Joe
>
> but a layman can think about the starting/charging sytem in a car as a
> air compressor unit. A battery stores energy in form of electrical
> power

A battery stores energy as chemical energy. A capacitor stores energy as
electrical energy.

> and a compressor tank stores energy in form of pneumatic power.

Actually it is pneumatic energy. Energy is the ability to do work. Power
is the rate at which work is done or energy is used.

> They are charged by the alternator and the compressor pump,
> respectively.
>
> Now suppose you own a air compressor unit. Will it be wise to remove
> the stock tank and replace it with a bigger tank. Will the expense be
> justified? Will that help you accomplish more, doing the same tasks
> and using the same tools? And in order to achive and maintain the
> desired air pressure in the bigger tank, will the pump stay on longer,
> or shorter or the same?

It will stay on longer. But it will also stay off longer if pneumatic
equipment is constantly being used. Depending on the use of the
compressed air, a larger tank may sense. If air is used fast enough,
with a small tank, the compressor will be cycling on and off real fast,
but if there is a bigger tank, the motor will cycle on and off as often.

Likewise, if there aren't any air leaks, the compressed air will still
be there the next time you need it.

> Last but not least, the last figure on the model number is CCA (cold
> cranking amps) and the unit of electric current is Ampere or A
> Do not get confused with Ah or Ampere-hour which is the unit of
> electric charge and it's NOT a specification of automotive batteries.
> Your car is different from your cell phone or your digital camera, you
> don't run your car's battery till it's completely discharged.

Actually, people sometimes do.

Jeff

ident wrote:
> Honda Civic 1998 EX 4dr 5-speed
>
> Is it necessary to buy an OEM battery from Honda? The 10-years-old
> original car battery in my Civic died this morning. Are the ones from
> Sears ok?


If you have NAPA auto parts stores in your area, they sell high
quality, US-made batteries. I've got them in two Camrys and my 1986
Civic. The days of Japanese cars using Japanese batteries appear to be
ending.