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How much do batteries cost these days?

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General_Failure Use your head, don't abuse it!

1,036 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#377439
I'm in the market for a car battery at the moment. It's for my 1800 74 van.

What I need is the best bang for my buck, as the number of said bucks is limited.

Can anyone suggest the best brands/duty ratings and the most cost effective places to buy it?

I've been into a lot of car parts places/supermarkets etc over the years which stock batteries, but I have never paid the slightest bit of attention.

I have decided that my current battery is not salvagable finally. The main reason being that two cells resemble trodden on sandwiches, or waterlogged books. Whichever analogy floats your boat.
My spare battery can't even pull the current to light a globe.

So, where should I look/avoid? And what sort of prices do batteries sell for.

Any help, informed or otherwise is greatly appreciated.🤖 Hehe. terminator smiley.
If at first you don't succeed. Build, build again.
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based LCA pop-top camper. Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002.

kroozzn63 Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,005 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#377441
$140 smackers for a good one
show us your gates

General_Failure Use your head, don't abuse it!

1,036 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#377452
ouch.
If at first you don't succeed. Build, build again.
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based LCA pop-top camper. Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002.

Chewy Fahrvergnugen

889 posts · joined Jul 2004 ·

#377455
So whats a good one?
.

Anthiron The Baja Rejuvenation Begins

4,936 posts · joined Oct 2003 ·

#377468
i use a century.......bought it the day i got my baja. cant even remember what size it is but its about the right size for a bommadore or falcon. was about 110 buckeroos

never had an issue but its only a year old.

i had some no name brand battery in my superbug for ages and its still sweet cost me about 80 bucks.

[ Edited on 29-6-2005 by Anthiron ]
62/60 model bug eye baja bug, (Full Build in Progress)
1974 Chevrolet Luv
1970 MK2 Ford Cortina GT
1979 Yamaha RX125 Two Stroke tracker project.
2004 Harley Davidson Sportster XL Custom

sax Insano Dub Head

846 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#377482
You can get new batteries from $40.
They are not as good as an expensive one but they will do the job.
Will start a v8 no problem so your kombi should be fine.
Go to repco or kmart.
" You're not a team player "

PurpleT3 Fahrvergnugen

880 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#377530
I found that Exide batteries were much cheaper that Centuries, and all the retailers I spoke to said they were basically the same. My exide battery cost $140 for a 660CCA recessed terminal, maintenance free unit. I would guess that for under $100 you should be able to find a good quality battery suitable for your Kombi, if you are happy to live with a bit less juice. Look for one with a two year warranty. I would suggest K-Mart Tyre & Auto or a specialist battery shop, they were cheaper than Autobarn or Repco.
Ain't nothin' like the wind in your hair.

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#377534
I think i paid about 110, for a exide one for the golf. I would prefer a Century, but at the time it was the easiest option late on a sunday arvo. if i had the chance i would get a optima next time.
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

karmen Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,648 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#377645
The imported batteries (german) from your vw merc etc dealers are value. One lasted nearly 9 years so spend a little more as the aussie batteries are made of lesser qualiy lead.

OR add batrolite (Supercheap) and if batt is new the maker of the batrolite (others too) will double your warranty of the battery (add within 14 days !!!
May cost 12$ to add./ I even use it in the ride on mower battery and IT WORKS
Karmen
56 oval resto 60 Cal KG
58 & 62 beetle parting. 74 panel parting
63 Baja 80 GLD parting
58 donor split 11 window 63 Splitty sgle cab /son's
96 Seat Cordoba GLX daily drvr.

~air fooled~ two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl

1,429 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#377651
exide shit over century every day of the week. i use to work with batteries and have been told the same thing by the battery guys we deal with through work.. i have sold exides through work for the last 4 years and only once had a faulty one... go the exide..

as for the cheapies, you will usually find that for the equivilent size to the good ones, the cheapie one is of lower CCA. so watch that one when your buying tristan... best of gettin the bucks and havin something that kicks the kombi over nice and fast for those cold mornings..
everything dies baby, thats a fact..
maybe everything that dies one day comes back..
put your make up on and your hair up pretty..
and meet me tonight in Atlantic city..

HughB Learner Dubber

7 posts · joined Jun 2005 ·

#377674
Any new battery (even the $40 horrors) is better than a knackered one that doesn't work and leaves you stranded.

Cheers

Hugh

HughB Learner Dubber

7 posts · joined Jun 2005 ·

#377676
Any new battery (even the $40 horrors) is better than a knackered one that doesn't work and leaves you stranded.

Cheers

Hugh

Chewy Fahrvergnugen

889 posts · joined Jul 2004 ·

#377692
What size does the battery need to be to fit under the back seat in a bug?
.

nicko Officially Full-On Dubber

389 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#377698
I have a battery that I pulled out of the 74 bay I just wrecked. Seemed to hold a charge alright. $15 if you want it
Nicko
0418692557

koolkarmakombi enkarmarising

2,078 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#377754
kmart have 20% off at the moment
This disclaimer does not reflect the thoughts or opinions of either myself, my company, my friends, or my dog: don't quote me on that; don't quote me on anything; this disclaimer is subject to change without notice; text is slightly enlarged to show detail; resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental; dry clean only; do not bend, fold, or mutilate; anchovies or jalapenos added to this disclaimer upon request; your mileage may vary; no substitutions are allowed; for a limited time only while supplies last; offer void where prohibited; this disclaimer is provided "as is" without any warranties expressed or implied

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#377831
Where was that thread about battery reconditioning fluid? Was that thread lost in the Great Forum Move? Anyway, you should get some of that stuff, so whatever battery you get lasts much longer. It might even revitalise your spare!
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

Mad Manx KombiKroozin

456 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#378545
go to your local battery dealer and get them to look up the codes for the bigest battery with the most CCA that will fit and make sure the positive terminal is the right side tell them you are getting quotes,then just go to a century whole saler and ask for a blemished battery- give them the code and it will be less than 50% of what you were quoted. I got a brand new 440CCA century for $50 cause it had a tear on its paper label.


- '71 Kombi (Died 24/11/05😢 ) - '65 manx (smick) -'63 beetle (bent) -'73 Singlecab (new to the stable)

jakjones Officially Full-On Dubber

217 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#378547
Century

DIN 55

or DIN 65 (larger)

vwking Officially Full-On Dubber

294 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#378560
try super cheap auto

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#378562
Hi

For a bug or type 3 its very important to have a battery with sunken posts to avoid fires when the battery post touches the seat and bottom rail to bolt it in, these are known as DIN batterys and fit most Euro cars.

With Kombis you only really need the bottom rail.

I see lots Yuasa batterys in Jap cars that are upto 10 years old.

Steve

General_Failure Use your head, don't abuse it!

1,036 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#378736
Wow!
I didn't go on to the forum last night. Look at all these posts!!!
Hey Nicko, whereabouts are you? I'll send a U2U too. Just covering my bases. A $15 battery couldn't hurt.

I've been using century batteries mostly. I have to admit, sometimes their performance annoys me. When they fail, they fail fast. Other than that they aren't bad.

Maybe the battery reco juice would do the trick for the big battery. I don't hold much hope though. It has the terminals on the wrong side anyway.
As for the primary battery, not a chance.

I can pretty much use anything in my van as long as the terminals are the right way round. It doesn't need the DIN style batteries. When the area around the battery was replaced in a rust repair. It now has a nice heavy cradle welded in. It can take anything up to the big heavy duties.

I'll probably get a decent one later on. I just need something that works for now.

Thanks for the great replies everyone!
If at first you don't succeed. Build, build again.
Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based LCA pop-top camper. Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002.