Electrical: INTERSTATE Group 24 Battery

[Joe V]

I needed a new battery so I did what I usually do before I make a purchase. I searched the forum.

I found out I had a dying Group 24F battery in our Lark. So I decided to go with the recommendation of purchasing a Interstate brand battery since they carry the correct Group 24, heck they even list Studebakers on their website. After looking at the list of batteries on line I decided to go with the cheapie $100 value model (yea right, a hundred buck is cheap) and the reason I wanted this black one is I want to try to keep the engine compartment as nostalgic looking as possible.

So I walk in and let me tell you, Interstate Battery stores have some great stuff on the shelf, connectors, terminals, all kinds of cool stuff. So anyway, I told the counter guy what I wanted, no prob, it's in stock. Then I told him I really wanted a better battery but I wanted it in a black case, can I do a special order? So he tells me that they have batteries for AAA that are all black and the MTP-24 version in stock. Stock guy grabs it and brings it out...Perfect all black, 6 year, 700 cca, G24 battery. The part number for AAA is a little different its a MTP-124, he figures out how to ring it up and bam! $152 out the door with core. Hell yea! The price may be a little high for some but I'm happy with it.

Thank you!

[JoeHall]

Nice match up!

[tsenecal]

That's cool. I have run Interstate for years with very good luck. We just have repair shop vendors here, but can go through their catalog, and have it in a week.

[studegary]

I hate those bright green batteries, especially in older vehicles.
I understand that Interstate is changing the appearance of their batteries very soon.

EDIT: I see that you received a nice new battery that was only made last month. Some places keep batteries in stock for long periods of time. That is something to check when purchasing.

[bensherb]

Not sure of the number, but the Interstate battery I bought at Costco for my Stude was all black and under $90. My Prius eats a 12V battery at least evey 2 years. The last one I got at Costco it killed in less than that. They gave me a new battery and 12 bucks back too. Oh, both of them were all black too.

[64V-K7]

Not sure of the number, but the Interstate battery I bought at Costco for my Stude was all black and under $90. They gave me a new battery and 12 bucks back too. Oh, both of them were all black too.

Costco used to sell Kirkland batteries. Whosever real brand they were is ?, but they didn't last 3 years. Earlier this year one of mine went ( I had 3). On return to Costco, they refunded me a LOT more than was paid for it and I was a bit thrilled and confused. That is, until going to the Battery store, found that the new batteries they sell are Interstate and to get a warranty replacement you had to pay a lot more for the same quality battery. Interstate are good batteries, I'm happy

[Blue 15G]

It never hurts to buy a stronger battery than stock, and Interstate batteries have always been excellent quality. Sounds like you did well.

[bensherb]

Costco used to sell Kirkland batteries. Whosever real brand they were is ?, but they didn't last 3 years. Earlier this year one of mine went ( I had 3). On return to Costco, they refunded me a LOT more than was paid for it and I was a bit thrilled and confused. That is, until going to the Battery store, found that the new batteries they sell are Interstate and to get a warranty replacement you had to pay a lot more for the same quality battery. Interstate are good batteries, I'm happy

Costco here hasn't sold Kirkland labled batteries in many years, since then it's been Interstate. I've been buying batteries from them more than 20 years, and haven't had any problem with them lasting 5-6 years except that Prius. They've always been very good about exchanging good for bad with it.

[rockne10]

I believe all Interstate batteries are going to be black. They are touting it as their new look.
I suspect it simply means they will be able to use all recycled plastics instead of the familiar green and translucent cases. Which, don't get me wrong, is fine with me. When it comes to plastics I think it should be 100% recycled, re-purposed or replaced.

[Frank DuVal]

I've had Kirkland batteries last for 5 to 6 years too! Of course I also had good luck with Walmart, Exide, Deka, Advance, Tractor Supply etc .....

BTW, Kirkland and Interstate do not make batteries. They are a marketing company. There are only 3 major lead acid battery manufacturers in the whole US. Good chance that Interstate battery was made by Johnson Controls or Exide Batteries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_Batteries

Note there is a Studebaker connection at the start of Interstate Battery's distribution.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

A size 26 battery has the terminals in the right place and is a bit smaller (and lighter) than a size 24. That puts a bit less weight on the fiberglass battery tray of an Avanti. Modern batteries have more CCA's than batteries in 1963, so the size 26 should be adequate for our needs today in our Studebakers. Comments?
-Dwight

[Hawklover]

Dwight, I have run a group 24 in my Avanti for 50 years.....that being said, you should (if you have not already) put a custom battery support under the battery tray.....it attaches to the frame, and takes the entire weight off the fiberglass inner fender!

A size 26 battery has the terminals in the right place and is a bit smaller (and lighter) than a size 24. That puts a bit less weight on the fiberglass battery tray of an Avanti. Modern batteries have more CCA's than batteries in 1963, so the size 26 should be adequate for our needs today in our Studebakers. Comments?
-Dwight

[wittsend]

Does it not stand to reason that if all battery cases are the same (for a given Group size) and one has more CCA's than the other that the spun lead matting is likely thinner (to increase surface area) in the higher (some call "stronger") CCA battery? And wouldn't that thinner spun lead matting be more suceptible to deteriration? So, while a higher CCA battery may be deemed "stronger" in a cranking sense, it might be weaker in a durability sense. I'd think a higher CCA and possibly more durable battery would be to move up to a 27 Group battery.

That said, I've seen the much hearld NAPA batteries die in 18 and 36 months and OEMs go 14 years in a few cases. So, in many cases it seems a crap shoot.

[TWChamp]

Often times the more CCA batteries have lead plates that reach down more in the case, which gives them more surface area.
I think the deep cycle batteries have thicker plates.

[wittsend]

Often times the more CCA batteries have lead plates that reach down more in the case, which gives them more surface area.
I think the deep cycle batteries have thicker plates.

That may be accurate. However, that puts the plates closer to the settling lead particles sitting at the bottom ripe for creating shorts.