[R2D2]

Originally Posted by lejhoom

Has anyone checked optima batteries. I don't think they are sold here. Please check their website.

Amara Raja has the literature/brochure on its site. They were the only authorised distributor for Johnson Controls in India.

Unfortunately they're not available from Amara Raja any more. I called the local AR office in Pune and asked about the Optima and the man goes "Optima?? No sir, we dont stock that brand. We have only Amaron". So much for AR's distributorship.

Also, user feedback on Team BHP is not encouraging with optima batts failing way too early than they ought to.

Rgds,

[Raccoon]

One thing that struck me last time I was at a battery shop -

Amaron and probably other manufacturers declare the all important battery parameters like Cold Cranking Amps, Reserve Capacity, etc. In case of Amaron, its mentioned prominently on the box.

I don't see these details ANYWHERE in case of Exide. Not on the case, not on the box, not on their website!

So is it that Exide is not mentioning these important parameters because they are not worth mentioning? Or are they mentioned somewhere and I'v missed them?

[condor]

ash_edged : All my cars run on TATA Green .. id reccomend TATA green anyday with YK technology from japan they cant g wrong in near future. More over they got options like for a Safari go for Gold Platinum or Titanium according to your budget. Plus they less polluting at the time of exposing off as qouted by them hence they call them TATA Green. Choose your batery at Our Products check the pricing and a dealer should be able to give you 200-400 discount for your old battery ranging on its size.

Regards,
Ash

Hey Ash, very advertisy style of writing ?

Raccoon : And the fact that its from the Amco stable kinda dissuades me.

@Racoon, did you know that even Tata-Green has tied up with the same company that Amco has been with ? It's Yuasa of Japan.

Amco also manufactures the batteries for other brands.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by Raccoon

One thing that struck me last time I was at a battery shop -

Amaron and probably other manufacturers declare the all important battery parameters like Cold Cranking Amps, Reserve Capacity, etc. In case of Amaron, its mentioned prominently on the box.

I don't see these details ANYWHERE in case of Exide. Not on the case, not on the box, not on their website!

So is it that Exide is not mentioning these important parameters because they are not worth mentioning? Or are they mentioned somewhere and I'v missed them?

Agreed never seen Exides ever mention CCAs bar just one model i.e. the Matrix fully sealed battery. Amaron makes Exide look a little ancient by comparison. Even from the outside, the quality of the PE plastic case along with the embossed warnings etc, make the Amarons look well made compared with Exides. Simply Exide's old habits dying hard.

Rgds,

[mithun]

R2D2 : You are right. In Exide Matrix fully sealed battery everything is mentioned. But it's tad costly.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by condor

..., did you know that even Tata-Green has tied up with the same company that Amco has been with ? It's Yuasa of Japan.

Amco also manufactures the batteries for other brands.

I am shocked by this need for collaboration or 'tying up' with so & so!
For technology as old as a century do we still really need technical tie-ups?!

Or is it that a foreign gent has to be in the picture in the hope that some of his work-ethic will percolate down to the production line to keep the quality up?

It's a sorry statement about us if we cannot turn out a good, predictable lead acid battery on our own!

[Raccoon]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

I am shocked by this need for collaboration or 'tying up' with so & so!
For technology as old as a century do we still really need technical tie-ups?!

Or is it that a foreign gent has to be in the picture in the hope that some of his work-ethic will percolate down to the production line to keep the quality up?

It's a sorry statement about us if we cannot turn out a good, predictable lead acid battery on our own!

Seems to be a fact. Amco 2 wheeler batteries seemed to be quite good when it was "Amco Yuasa". Now the colloboration has ended and its only Amco... and now the batteries leak and gas and corrode and don't last. Just like Exide! Shame!!

Originally Posted by condor

@Racoon, did you know that even Tata-Green has tied up with the same company that Amco has been with ? It's Yuasa of Japan.

Amco also manufactures the batteries for other brands.

Yes I do know about that Yuasa has a 50% stake or whereabouts in Tata Green. Don't know how their products are however... and there are hardly any reviews here either.

Whats the source of the info that Amco makes batteries for other brands? As far I'v heard here, its the opposite - only Exide, Amara Raja and TG really make batteries in India. Others source most of the stuff from them.

Agreed never seen Exides ever mention CCAs bar just one model i.e. the Matrix fully sealed battery. Amaron makes Exide look a little ancient by comparison. Even from the outside, the quality of the PE plastic case along with the embossed warnings etc, make the Amarons look well made compared with Exides. Simply Exide's old habits dying hard.

Rgds,

So it seems pretty obvious that these parameters are inferiour, in case of Exide. You can be pretty sure that their marketing folks would miss screaming from the rooftops, if they had superior parameters compared to competing brands.

How can one even really compare batteries unless these basic parameters are mentioned??

Exide just plain sux on every parameter...

[hvkumar]

Don't touch Sonic batteries - using them for last 1 year in my Scorpio, throwing them out next week. They leak so badly all the time, they have corroded my battery tray (had to replace them) and the dealers simply shrug and don't do anything about it.

[Raccoon]

^^^Sonic is SF which is now part of Exide. So I'm not surprised. But to be entirely fair, the Sonic which my dad bought about a li'l over a couple years ago, is still going ok. Though it is showing signs of weakness now. I intend to test it soon. At least there is no sign of leakage and no corrosion on the terminals. Will use it as long as it holds the required voltage and sp. gravity.

Why dont you try to contact SF/Exide directly and demand a replacement? Also, I hope you have not overfilled the battery.

[hvkumar]

Why dont you try to contact SF/Exide directly and demand a replacement? Also, I hope you have not overfilled the battery.

No, I am so fed up with this battery - it has been leaking even when it was 6 months old - and I don't want to go back to SF anymore which is what will happen if I pick up a fight for replacement under warranty. I am seriously looking to go to either Amaron (seems to have problems with dealers, they are getting sacked and bitching about the company) or Exide.

No, I have had the water levels checked periodically by my ASC and the SF dealers, so this is not a case of my abuse of the battery.

[Raccoon]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

No, I am so fed up with this battery - it has been leaking even when it was 6 months old - and I don't want to go back to SF anymore which is what will happen if I pick up a fight for replacement under warranty. I am seriously looking to go to either Amaron (seems to have problems with dealers, they are getting sacked and bitching about the company) or Exide.

No, I have had the water levels checked periodically by my ASC and the SF dealers, so this is not a case of my abuse of the battery.

The ASC and the dealers are the ones who sabotage batteries and your vehicle by overfilling them in the 1st place!! Only if you have personally checked that the battries have not been overfilled does your statement any water... lol!

Dude, SF is now part of Exide as already mentioned. Don't be a bit surprised if you have the same experience, if you go for a new Exide. All the Exides I'v used, have leaked...

If you can't get Amaron, go for BOSCH or Base Terminal/Panasonic. Just call up the company/dealer if you cant find them... they often offer home delivery.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

OE Exide battery given up exactly at 18 month of use as warranty period expired.

Replaced Exide with Amaron and i am happy for last 18 months without any issue.

@KUMAR SIR,

go for Amaron.

[hvkumar]

I too had a happy experience with my Amar-ON battery in my Matiz, and that is on the top of my list.

[Raccoon]

^^^ Amaron is good... but Base Terminal scores quite a bit in terms of price. The difference is substantial... so personally thats what I may buy as the next battery for the car.

Does anybody know if Base Terminal declares parameters like CCA and RC, etc? How do they compare with Amaron?

[mithun]

Originally Posted by Raccoon

^^^ Amaron is good... but Base Terminal scores quite a bit in terms of price. The difference is substantial... so personally thats what I may buy as the next battery for the car.

Does anybody know if Base Terminal declares parameters like CCA and RC, etc? How do they compare with Amaron?

I would rate Base Terminal & Bosch in the same league. years ago I've seen parameters like CCA and RC in Base Terminal.

Now I couldn't find anything : Base Corporation