Duralast "Professional" batteries

[jcj]

Anyone know anything about Duralast Professional batteries? I had to get a tire fixed today and also needed a new battery for the Jeep. I ended up just picking up a Duralast Professional series battery from the shop. It was reasonably priced and I was there already so I went for the purchase. I've had good luck with Duralast batteries in the past, but I'm unfamiliar with the Professional line. Anyone used one? Sent via Tapatalk. Blame the phone for any spelling issues.

[bersaguy]

That is an Autozone brand battery I think and I have heard descent reviews on them but never owned one.  I use Deka batteries in my Jeep and Stowaway batteries in my boat and have had great luck with both.  Maybe someone else will be able to provide more info on the Duralast Professional Series soon.

[Caster]

I've tried many batteries over the years. The only one I swear by is optima. Lord Jesus they're rough on the wallet!
They last though. The first red top optima I ever bought lasted over seven years. I left it in the vehicle when I sold it. It was still hot as a firecracker. I got a steal on a deep cycle marine Optima and that's what's in my Toyota right now.

[peejman]

I've had pretty good luck with Autozone batteries.  As to whether there's any real difference between a regular one and a "professional" one... I doubt it.  You're likely just paying more for the better warranty.

Edited January 22, 2014 by peejman

[jcj]

I've had pretty good luck with Autozone batteries.  As to whether there's any real difference between a regular one and a "professional" one... I doubt it.  You're likely just paying more for the better warranty.

 

Pretty sure it's a standard Duralast (not really a bad thing).  The price was the same as a normal Duralast red-top off the shelf at Autozone. I was told 3 year replacement/7 year pro-rated warranty if I bring it back to the shop. The specs also match the regular Duralast exactly. 

 

Works for me I guess. Starts better than the failing OEM battery anyway. :up:   

 

Next time I buy a battery, I'm going to check these out: http://www.dekabatteries.com/ 

They're supposedly the only U.S. manufacturer of maintenance free automotive batteries left. Johnson Controls, the maker of Duralast, Optima, DieHard, etc moved their operation from the USA to Mexico a few years ago.

[Monkeyman2500]

Deka batteries are awesome. You can get blems for half price with a warranty. The wearhouse is in Gallatin I think. I have two of the AGM blems in the Dodge.

[jtmaze]

I spent two years as a manager with AZ 15 yrs ago. The biggest difference in the longevity of batteries is the thickness of the lead plates. Typically the longer the replacement warranty the heavier the lead plate and more susceptible to heat problems(less water surrounding the plates), this can effect the overall battery life. By the way there are only 2 or 3 companies that make car batteries, Johnson controls, Douglas and exide. Just different labels. JTM We the People of the United States, in order to form a more Perfect Union......

[musicman]

Another former 'Zoner here... the Duralast "Professional" batteries are pretty much the standard red Duralast batteries in the store, but made especially for distribution through their commercial sales with local mechanics.  Warranties were about to change when I left a few years ago and I haven't kept up with them, but "back in my day" the warranty was the same 2/7 years the red Duralast batts had.

 

Though I worked there for a few years, I really have no special love for AZ.  But I gotta say, their standard (red) and Gold (yellow) batteries seemed to be really well made.  I swapped a lot of batteries of many brands in tons of cars.  Whether it was our battery or not, I always liked to check the manufacture date on the batteries.  Maybe I was skewing things in my mind, but the DL stuff just seemed to last longer vs other batteries made to similar price points.  On the other hand... do EVERYTHING you can to stay away from the Valucraft 1yr wty batteries. 

 

As JTMaze said, there are only a few battery mfgrs.  AZ uses JCI/Johnson Controls for most of their stuff.

[thundersnow]

+1 for optima!

[seez52]

I've got a duralast in my small pickup and its going on 10 years old. Pretty unbelievable for a car battery.

[thundersnow]

[quote name="seez52" post="1100161" timestamp="1390532588"]I've got a duralast in my small pickup and its going on 10 years old. Pretty unbelievable for a car battery.[/quote] You must have a great alternator that can keep the battery charged. Is it sealed? Or have you been keeping the water full up? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD