[proeddie]

Very interesting discussion...

Almost every site where you put in your vehicle and it tells you what batteries are available leads you to an AGM as a PM 3.6L standard battery. AutoZone, Advance Auto, Walmart, etc

When you do search for an H8 flooded battery, the price seems to be between $180 and $200. AGMs seem to price at $229.

But a Costco H8 Interstate AGM at $185 seems like a good deal. AGMS all seem to come with a 3 year full replacement warranty.

 

[elkwoman]

Gas Promasters (up to my ‘20 at least) all come with a sealed flooded battery. The confusion comes because of the obvious lack of fill caps but they are there hidden away. All the diesels did. One with AGMs for some reason. I would never buy an AGM, personally unless I had a need to mount it on its side and even then I would think twice. Flooded are simply better batteries for every reason you can possibly think of other than checking the electrolyte level (which you can’t do with a sealed flooded anyhow). Flooded batteries typically have more power, last longer and cost far less than AGM’s.
AGM’s are, as usual, just another marketing trick to fool people into paying more for less.

I hope someone else can help with this. Every single battery dealer from any company has said that a 2014 2500 gas Promaster high roof needs an AGM battery. Something is not computing here.

 

[elkwoman]

Kov is correct per the owners manual they recommend maintenance free. All the online manuals say the same.

Please be more specific as to which battery, with a link.

 

[elkwoman]

I want the best battery for temperature tolerances, reliability, longevity, etc. I would rather pay more for these than save $ and lose out. .. Thank you

 

[elkwoman]

For those of you wondering about the difference between an H 8 and an H 9 is that, from what I have learned today, The difference is that an H8 is gas, and an H9 is Diesel. .... Hopefully my source is correct.

 

[83Grumman]

H8 and H9 appear to be different sizes. See DIN CODE COLUMN.

Your local Walmart has an AGM that will fit. If it isn't the best battery in the world you can replace it in 4 years instead of 6 or maybe 6 instead of 8. Whatever.

 

[KilWerBzz]

For those of you wondering about the difference between an H 8 and an H 9 is that, from what I have learned today, The difference is that an H8 is gas, and an H9 is Diesel. .... Hopefully my source is correct.

It won't fit in my diesel at 15.5" long.

 

[proeddie]

Battery designations have nothing to do with how they are used... the different battery groups reflect different dimensions and terminal configurations.

In general, a bigger battery has more CCA, etc. It is possible that an H9 was used in the PM diesel, but not because an H9 is designated for diesel use.

(interesting.. the battery 83G cited seems to not be available in many places, and most of New England!)

 

[GaryBIS]

I want the best battery for temperature tolerances, reliability, longevity, etc. I would rather pay more for these than save $ and lose out. .. Thank you

Hi,
Not sure this answers your questions, but this link gives interstate batteries take on batteries for the PM...

{myvehicle.title} battery results | Interstate Batteries

www.interstatebatteries.com

If you just look at the H9 and compare their best lead acid to their only AGM,

AGM

• 36 month warranty
• 950 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
• Group Size H9
• Mounting Flexiblity
• Absorbed Glass-Mat (AGM)
• 2X the life of conventional flooded batteries
• Plenty of power for accessories and plug-ins - even while the engine is off
• Superior starting power

$260 MSRP


The flooded lead acid

• 30 Month Warranty
• {CCA} Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
• Group Size H9
• Our best flooded, non-AGM battery
• High-cranking performance in cold to moderate climates
• Meets or exceeds vehicle starting needs

$230 MSRP

So, it looks like for the Interstate Battery offerings, the AGM has better stats at a slightly higher price.

For some reason they don't list cold cranking amps on some of the flooded lead acid.

The stats above are for the H9 size battery, which are a little bigger and have a little more capacity than the H8's, but still not sure if they really fit.

To the best of my knowledge, any flooded lead acid or AGM when charged is good for very low temps. We get -20F fairly often and the van always starts. Our van with its new AGM was sitting in the driveway during the the latest -46F!! night - we were in San Diego, but it started just fine when we got back.

If someone knows if the H9 will fit in the PM, that would be good to know.

Gary

 

[elkwoman]

Warranty information from Interstate Batteries. Jan 13, 2023 Denver,Colorado

Since, per my Mechanic in Marquette, I need an Interstate battery for him to replace under warranty, I called Interstate about warranties on their batteries, and possible purchase from Costco since they are about $50 cheaper.

Interstate will Not honor the warranty on Interstate Batteries bought at Costco! So if a problem arises before the 36 months it would need to be returned to Costco, the nearest to there being 684 miles away! So, if I do need a new battery, I will be going directly to Interstate for purchase and installation.

 

[elkwoman]

FYI - Interstate battery with installation:
Today I tried to buy a battery directly from Interstate in the Arvada, CO store and have them install it. They had told me on the phone that it would be $20 to install it. However when they saw that it was a Promaster, they refused to install it! They said they will only install batteries that are in the engine compartment, not inside of a vehicle. (The Promaster has the battery under the Promaster driver side floorboard.)

After many calls to mechanics I was able to get the Dodge dealer in the Golden, CO area to agree that if I brought the battery to them they will install it for $50. !!!

 

[keeponvaning]

You’re making this far too complicated and hard for yourself. Forget the interstate battery. Go to any auto parts store or mechanic or even a Walmart and just buy a sealed flooded battery of the proper size and have them install it. If they won’t install it, go somewhere else. If you have a ‘14 gas Promaster it didn’t come an AGM battery originally no matter what anyone tries to tell you.
Forget all the horror stories you hear and read (even here) about starting batteries. In 6 years and 135k miles I never even had to look at the battery in my ‘14 other than to add accessory wires to it and it never failed.

 

[SteveSS]

They said they will only install batteries that are in the engine compartment, not inside of a vehicle. (The Promaster has the battery under the Promaster driver side floorboard.)

Likely a blanket corporate policy to avoid being sued in the remote chance someone dies from battery out-gassing, with no exceptions made for logic or reality. At the very least, they should make an exception for AGMs, which are considered safe inside vehicles. Chrysler/Ram also has way more lawsuit experience than Interstate. The original gas-PM battery is not AGM, which is why they attached a vent tube to it.

 

[proeddie]

... which is why they attached a vent tube to it.

And the current AGM replacements have a vent tube also! Hmmmmmm...

 

[KilWerBzz]

My agm had a vent tube and it was an agm. All batteries must be vented outside, an agm could go thermal so it is needed. I have had smaller agm's go thermal.

 

[SteveSS]

My agm had a vent tube and it was an agm. All batteries must be vented outside, an agm could go thermal so it is needed. I have had smaller agm's go thermal.

Yes, only diesels came with AGMs. Sounds like Chrysler/Ram was being extra cautious with them too. If it's good enough for OEM, you'd think it would be good enough for Interstate

 

[KilWerBzz]

It could be a EU regulation, since stella did not change every thing when brought to the US. I know that the H9 goes in a bimmer v8 I and some mercedes H8 in the ducato

 

[elkwoman]

Picked up AGM MTX 49 H8 from Interstate Sat, took to Dodge dealer for installation, returned old battery to Interstate for refund.

Turns out the old AGM battery was the original in my 2014 2500 gas high top Promaster. It was dated 2013! Wow, lasted 9 or 10 years.

 

[elkwoman]

You’re making this far too complicated and hard for yourself. Forget the interstate battery. Go to any auto parts store or mechanic or even a Walmart and just buy a sealed flooded battery of the proper size and have them install it. If they won’t install it, go somewhere else. If you have a ‘14 gas Promaster it didn’t come an AGM battery originally no matter what anyone tries to tell you. ........

See above - original in my 2014 Promaster was an AGM and dated 2013.

 

[keeponvaning]

NO ‘14 gas Promasters came with AGM batteries, only the diesels. All the gas models came with sealed lead acid which (to a layman) are almost indistinguishable from an AGM! If it was an AGM it would have failed s long time ago.