cddallara wrote:The factory Toyota battery in my Sienna lasted 10 years. several drain down/jumpstarts too (kids +open doors+interior lights...). I picked one up at Costco, we'll see.
Interstate makes Optima, are they the same price?
Optima is made by Johnson Controls (JCI) who also make batteries for Advance Auto and Interstate. Interstate doesn't make batteries. They market them they are made mostly by JCI and Exide plus some small manufactures for the more odd ball sizes.
As a side note, starting next spring Advance Auto Parts will be the sole retail seller of Interstate batteries. It is still unclear if the Autocraft brand (Advance Auto Parts house brand) is going to be discontinued. They say we are going to be carrying the full line of Interstate batteries so just from a space standpoint I don't see how the Autocraft brand will survive.
My alternator is suspect. It puts out < 13v under all conditions, yet tests fine on the tester at O'Reillys. Fudge them.
A rebuilt unit is on the way and I plan on transplanting its core into the beautifully powder coated case of this one.
It probably is fine. I've seen connections develop resistance with age. If the alternator is good, and I mean windings are good, diodes are good and it's not overloaded, voltage is determined by the regulator, not really the alternator. Check the voltage at the alternator itself, on the B+ terminal and the body. If you come up with a good reading there then check between the alternator and the battery. Check positive to positive, then negative to negative. My guess is you have a voltage drop in there somewhere, although possibly a bad regulator.
