I have always used Die Hards, and just today visited Sears to test my Sears "International" out of my 928. The thing just died (hard)after being used since 2007 (!). Guess they don't make 'em like they used to. So the nice men at Sears talked me into a new Die Hard Gold that they say replaces the "international" model. Being cautious, I asked them to be certain, but they assured me it would work. Well, it won't. The positive pole is just a few millimeters to far to the rear of the car and the cable must really be stretched to fit over the pole while the battery is tilted toward the front of the car. Not acceptable in my book and the lid on the battery box won't close all the way. So tomorrow back it goes to Sears.

Can anyone recommend a good brand to use in the 928 with similar guarantee protection? Thanks for any advice you might have.

 

Hey Ron! I've been going the Walmart route based on value. In Phoenix, because of the heat, the life of almost any car battery is 2 years or so. Based on that, the initial cost of the Walmart batteries and their 3 year warranty makes them the best deal for me.

 

Thanks Rick. I'll go to Walmart to check our their options.

 

I got a battery from Napa, I've had it in my car for 1 1/2 years and it has never left me stranded, it wasn't too expensive either.
I think it cost about $100. And it fits perfectly (doesn't ground out against the battery cover). Good luck on your search.

 

Thank you. I'll check it out.

 

Sears must have sold you the wrong battery.

Often the auto store charts list the wrong battery for our cars.

Don't ask them what you need, tell them what you need.

A Group 48 should fit your car (assuming it's an 86.5 as listed in your sig) no matter what brand or where you buy it.

 

advanced has a real nice AGM group 49 battery. Love it so far.

 

Walmart. Not as cheap as they used to be. But you can return them in any part of the country without a receipt and they'll take them back no questions.

 

Pretty sure a group 48, at least for the S4. Perfect fit. Six years life on a battery is decent. I bought the Die Hard Gold and it has loads of power. Also, there are only a few companies that make the majority of batteries, they just get rebranded.

 

The battery Sears sold me is a Die Hard Gold, GP 48/H6. I am dumbfounded because placing it side by side with the old Die Hard they appear to be the same size. The positive pole in this new one is just a bit too offset the wrong way. I may simply just trim the "foot" of the battery a few mm to allow it to fit farther forward in the battery box and thus allow the positive cable end to slip on the pole easily. Humbug though.

 

Any chance of moving the cable? It's got to be a PIA to fiddle with the clamps securing the positive cable, but maybe less hassle (and safer) than grinding the battery case.

 

Ron, after re-reading your post I am going to double-check the size on my DH gold. I am pretty sure I got an "International Group 48". I remember it cost quite a bit more than the majority of regular "golds". Maybe when they did away with the International designation they made some slight change that's messing you up. If so, take that thing back. I will post tonight what I find when I get off work.

 

Thanks Don. My previous battery was an International Grp 48. I used that battery in my 928 and my 914/6 for years but I'm told they no longer make them. I will take the DH Gold back and search for a reasonable alternative with similar output. Grinding the case may be an unwise choice as pointed out, now that I think about it. The case has a slight "foot" which is a slight extension along the base that appears to be solid. But if it isn't, I'm in for a whole lot of hurt if it leaks. I may be off to Walmart or another store soon, as I should not have to crawl under this car to change the positive cable length.

 

This Duralast Battery was installed by the PO. It's about 3 yrs old. Fit is perfect. (also cranks good in the winter with 20w-50 in the crankcase.)
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I'm pretty sure mine is a Duralast from 2009. The PPO installed it. It was out of the car while stored for 30 months. It's gone flat from non use but it holds a charge well over 2 weeks for me.