Date codes on batteries

[IaGary]

On top of Interstate automotive batteries there is a code stamped into the plastic that represents the date the battery was new.

I'm not talking about the little paper dots with month and year that you punch out.

I have a battery that I need to know the date it was new cause the paper dots were not removed.

What is or how does the code work?

Gary

 

[Anonymous-0]

Doesn't it depend on when the acid was put in the battery? A new dry battery could sit around for a long time and still be like new. I seem to remember some batteries that weren't filled until you buy them, like motorcycle batteries. Dave

 

[george md]

Gary,

The distributor sales date is stamped or
branded in the top or upper side near a
corner, read the code ( letters and #'s),
send it to me . I am an interstate dealer
and have the code sheet.

george

 

[IaGary]

In this day and age they don't stock hugh inventories waitng for someone to buy.


Don't know for sure but I bet most common size batteries are put into service within 3 months of being built.


And for warranty reasons they still use that date.


I bought a used backhoe 3 years ago and it has a 72 month battery in it that has gone bad and I thought the battery was new when I bought it.


Just trying to see if I have an adjustment coming on a new battery.

Gary

 

[IaGary]

George why can't you tell me the code.

I don't have the numbers in front of me.

I was told once how to read the code but can't remember now.

Gary

 

[george md]

Gary ,

I'd be glad to tell you , but I need to
scan it in so you have it all.

george

 

[ken in texas]

They are stamped with a number to match the year,7 for 07 and letters for month A for January B for Feb and so on.This is the normal marking of when they were shipped from factory. There are very few dry batteries being shipped now, mostly 8 Volts and some slow selling commercial batteries such as the 4DLT battery.This is the most common used dating system,or was when I sold batteries.

 

[Leland]

I must be lucky bacause my parts man always just exchanged the battery and never worried about peeling off the purchase dots until later .

 

[IaGary]

Thats why they have the date stamped in code.

Cause you can peel off any of those tags.

He knows the date of the battery without those tags peeled off.

Gary

 

[Leland]

they never seem to worry to much ,but it's a small town and the driver gives them credit anyway .