Electrical Short.

[WVZR-1]

Originally Posted by scottfab

The only date codes I've ever seen are cryptic. Or they have scratch off pads.
Interviewing the department manager at Wallmart he said they just rotate unsold ones out. The are "reconditioned" and put back on the shelf. And I think they've since gotten out of selling batteries all to gether. The O'Riley's guy I spoke to said they do the same thing. Then a green sticker with a number indicating the month it was last "cycled".
And a local Bi-Mart (coop) does not put acid in them and they sit in the back until inventory is needed. A battery with no acid and sealed will not have a problem. They do not have date codes. They do punch out the year and month on a strip on the top of the battery. Problem at BiMart is the once with acid sit for long periods.

BTW all even the sealed batteries like Optima will develop problems if they sit too long.

I don't know that I'd consider most of the date codes "cryptic" but I would expect to be able to "confirm" the date code from a sales person before a purchase. I also maybe in "error" assumed we might be discussing "first line" batteries with a "nationwide" warranty! I've never had a problem identifying an ACD, Interstate, Exide, or the Sears line. Were I local to a Bi-Mart I might likely consider a purchase there, but for comparisons and date codes I believe we need to confine the conversation to "sealed batteries"!

Your Oreily guy and Walmart guy know that batteries are sold from the "front" and arriving stock is inserted to the "rear" of the rack. Maybe the question wasn't presented "properly". Did you ask for the explanation of a date code or for the code to be pointed out to you? I'm guessing not!

Regarding a comment in a following post regarding the Walmart "cheapo" battery! Walmart has I believe 3 lines of batteries as do all the other "major" resellers. You've the opportunity to purchase "your choice". If your wallet is speaking you might just grab the $55 choice. There's a product just to the right of it that might be $85 that has a warranty equal to or better than most! Carry it back, explain you've a problem, present invoice leave with a new one after a warranty "adjustment"!

Back to the diagnostics guys!!!!