Hey F-Chatters, Yesterday I purchased an Interstate MTP-H6; I know the MTP-H6A is recommended as it's a Gel Cell. As the car is just a weekend toy and I do not track this car I felt the H6 was sufficient. My local interstate dealer stated that a few local F-car mechanics use the H6 on most of their street cars unless a request is made by the customer to use a Gel cell and the price is $75.00 more. I paid $180.00 for the H6 So to the point of my situation. I installed the battery without any issues of fitment other than my ground terminal had to be turned slightly to clear the caps atop the battery. When I went to turn it over it acted like a completely dead battery, I turned the key a second time for a quick second to see if it was a fluke, and the same thing happened. So as I was ready to put the old battery in and start the car I tried for a 3rd time and it finally cranked over somewhat sluggishly. Now when I start the car it seems sluggish every time. If I start it once then drive it, let it sit for an hour it's even worse. The battery came in sealed shrink wrap with a sticker underneath the wrapping of a date 1/11. I contacted the dealer and he said we will swap it out. Has anyone here had any similar issues? The car is on a Deltran Battery tender Jr .75amp when it's parked. thanks guys!
The dealer is calling Interstate today and having them send over a another unit. Hope this one works.
Hey Guys, So I was able to pick up the new MTP-48H6 from my Interstate dealer. Got home and installed it and it fired right up strong. So I wanted to post a few concerns for any member purchasing an Interstate battery. I cannot quote these as facts just my findings. The first battery I picked up had heavy duty Shrink wrap on it and no terminal caps. It had a small decal with the date 1/11 on it. This was the dud battery. The second one I picked up had no shrink wrap, but had terminal caps tightly placed on them, this was the good battery. So my concern is the first battery may have been a refurbished or a return as interstate has an 85 month warranty and a 2-3 year free replacement on it. Again I have no idea if they refurb or not. Not sure if anyone here shares my same experience or not, but for anyone purchasing a new Interstate battery these may be a few things to look out for. ~Chris
Same thing happened to me. First battery went dead within a week and swapped it for a new one and it fired right up. Of course, being a new 360 owner (2 months) I have learned a few things. First, that disconnecting the battery resets the ECU and you will have to drive it about 80 miles before you get a smog check and it will need that many miles without error codes or it will flunk. I am sure everyone will recognize this as a rookie mistake when I took it in for a smog check the next day and was told by the mechanic that I needed to go drive it another 80 miles.
IMO the smog check guy has no solid idea how long you should drive the car in order to pass the smog test. Furthermore, it may not pass no matter how many miles you drive unless and until you follow the steps outlined (in other thread) on what to do after a battery replacement. There's more to it than just driving. Mike
Had a similar thing happen. Took it back and the guy tested it(this was at a Interstate distribution facility) and said it wasn't fully charged. They charged it overnight and it was fine. Did the guy test it for you? They need a really good full charge before use.
Some automotive battery manufacturers will only do a partial formation of the batteries and rely on the car's alternator to finish the job of manufacturing the battery. Formation is the process of the initial charge of the lead-acid battery after sulfuric acid is added during manufacture. Johnson Controls (manufacturer of Interstate) makes millions of batteries per year, if they could save 50 cents per battery that would add up to how much??? Partial formation probably saves them a few nickels in the cost of manufacturing, but is very annoying for customers. The gel battery probably comes fully charged, but for $75 more they can afford to do it right!
This particular place is a tire facility and is an Interstate dealer, as far as testing the one I brought back the answer is no, he did not test it. I am not sure if this is dealer protocol or not. When I spoke to the salesman about it over the phone he said to just bring it back and he will get me another one. His words were "it's a Ferrari and I don't want the battery dying on you when youre out somewhere" So I just swapped it out. I would not want to see any ones car die on the road from a dead new battery.
I figured the battery would reach full charge once driven; the issue was that for 2 days it kept losing power after each start. On the night I installed it I had it on the Battery tender until the Green LED showed a full charge. On the first start after a full charge it was still sluggish and by the 3rd start I thought I was going to be stuck in front of the restaurant I had taken my wife for lunch. Thankfully it started and I parked it in the garage from there. As far as the Gel Cell I would have splurged the extra $75.00 but was steered away from it. Now I know there are many topics on Batteries here on F-chat. But from what I read, researched and asked, is that the Gel Cell takes much more time to reach a full charge and even a higher amp battery tender. Now I could be wrong about that so I chose to purchase the standard battery. We will see how it holds up.
That was next on the list if the second battery gave me issues. But once I installed the second unit all is working great for now. Have not driven it since Monday. Going to take it out tomorrow and see how it holds up.
My car has an MTP-91 which has worked great for at least three years. Lighter, cheaper and more powerful than an MTP-H6, but a little wider and shorter. Taz Terry Phillips Image Unavailable, Please Login
Taz, I read a post that you had about the MTP-91 and that advice is what I used when I called the dealer. They had told me that I would have to modify the tray and brackets to get it to fit. No problem with that, but then he called me back and told me that interstate has been selling the MTP-48H6 to a few local F-car mechanics. So I figure give it a try. I am not opposed to installing the MTP-91. ~Chris
When I had my shop, I used to sell Interstate Batteries for about 8 years. I did have one "dead" cell right out of the box. But, I have to tell you, they are excellent batteries. I used them myself and my customers never had a problem with them. One thing I really liked was that the service force would come over every month, inspect them, and replace any that were on the shelf too long. Also, if I needed an odd-size battery, it would be delivered in an hour to my shop. I only paid for the batteries I sold. I never paid for stock. They set me up with the batteries they thought I needed based on what kinds of cars I serviced and general popularity. Great service.
I tried the same thing but the BT wasn't enough juice. A speed charger probably would have done the trick. Your shop probably didn't bother testing it as they would just have the truck come by with another one with more of a charge.
Chris- Here is hoping yours works well for you. There is very little to be chosen between the two. With an 85 month warranty and a 2 or 3 year (forget which) free exchange, you cannot really go wrong, like bdelp said. I had been thinking about an Odyssey when mine finally goes, but not sure it is worth the extra money. $207 jobber cost and the Interstates are less than $100 jobber cost. Taz Terry Phillips
Taz, After a bit of searching, I found there are two Models. One is the MTP-H6 and the other is an MTP-48-H6. Here are the specs on the 48/H6. I believe the first battery I installed was the H6. And the second was the 48/H6 however in the picture of the H6 it has a clear body and the H6 I had was an all black shell. Not sure how old that image is and if Interstate has changed the case. Product ID: MTP-48/H6 Amps: 965 Cranking Amps: 965 Cold Cranking Amps: 770 Voltage: 12 Pro-rata Warranty: 85 Weight: 40.8 Width: 6.89 Length: 10.94 Height: 7.48
Thanks Taz, I must say your posts have been very helpful, as have many other posts on this site. I am glad I joined! ~Chris
Chris- I will have to add that one to the list, thanks. That makes it more powerful than the MTP-91, if a bit more expensive, Suggested Retail Price: $147.95, List Price: $177.95. There is also an MTP-48-H6 that has the same dimensions and performance and: Suggested Retail Price: $163.95, List Price: $216.95. Wonder what the difference is? I need to add the Braille batteries, too, but have been too lazy so far. Taz Terry Phillips
Taz, I called Interstate today to get clarification on the two different models. The MTP-48-H6 replaced the MTP-H6. So the H6 is now obsolete. Hope this helps for the updated list. If anyone wants the Gel Cell version (Glass Pack) that is the MTP-48-H6A this fits the 360/430 not sure about the 575 or others. On the installation the only issue I had was the Ground cable terminal clamp had to be turned slightly. ~Chris
