A big FWIW......

East Penn Manufacturing is a major vehicle battery manufacturer of all types of flooded, AGM,& Gel batteries. They have their own line of batteries they market, under the Deka label. They also make them for many different brands, including HD & "Big Crank" for Battery Mart.

Johnson Controls is a big competitor of East Penn, they also make all types of vehicle flooded, AGM, & Gel batteries. They also have numerous different brand customers, including "EverStart" batteries for Walmart.

Any battery manufacturer can make a battery, at any quality/price point required by the end seller. Both of the listed manufacturers have the same technology and raw materials at their disposal. They can both make an excellent, long-lasting battery, or a very cheap battery. It all depends what their contract, with their various customers, calls for...

There can be large (or small) differences in batteries of the same size and appearance. For example; plate thickness, plate size, plate separation, lead quality (virgin lead or recycled lead with various levels of alloys), and case quality... These differences will affect the longevity, duty cycles, and performance (CCA) of the batteries.

Although some brand names have larger markups, there usually IS a difference between two same size/group batteries where one sells for $100 and one sells for $180....

GENERALLY speaking;

The cost of the battery will reflect the quality of its design, performance and components.

The battery warranty will give a hint to the battery quality... but it's not always the final word as some batteries barely make it past their warranty period and others go several years beyond their warranty period...

The bottom line is, how good a battery do you need....? Some want superior CCAs (big bore kits/ 124" engines), others want longevity and some need a battery for a bar hopper that is parked & kept on a battery tender most of it's life...

In any case, with the current technologies available, you should be able to find a good battery to fit your needs and price point... Just don't fool yourself into thinking your $85 battery is "just as good" as the same battery of another brand, costing $180...

 

The best battery, in my opinion, is a Yuasa YUAM732GHL It is rated at 500cca, so you won't have a problem starting up. It is a bit pricey, at $135 or so.
Whatever you do, don't buy a Autocraft battery at Advanced auto parts. Those batteries are horrible, and will only last one year.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Yuasa-YUA...yABEgJyFvD_BwE

 

https://www.yuasabatteries.com/

You can find a yuasa battery on eBay or amazon and have it shipped to your door in 2-3 days. They are a quality battery for around 90.00 to 130.00 depending on where you order from.

 

You can also get a reasonably good battery from Batteries+Bulbs. They are the only one that I am aware of that offers a two year warranty. Also, there are stores nationwide so wherever you have a problem there would be a store close by to address it.

 

No question Batteries +Bulbs. Two year warranty. If for some reason you have an issue you go right to the store for replacement not back and forth on the internet. Easy.

 

Thanks y'all. Good info. Appreciate it.

 

Made in the USA and got it for $115