CCA is based on temps and there is no real STD for the test, some company's use the same temps others do not. Warranty time frame. Deka is 1 year free replacement. That one I can tell you the Deka is 400 HD site states 365 and interstate is 385. At least that is the info the interstate rep just gave us. I do not think the CCA is a make or break deal. Warranty on some are 6 months others are a year. Just do your home work first. If we had not been set up with Deka for some many years I would think I might have gone with interstate. Had good luck with them in the past , Have seen the private label versions ( agm midwest drag etc) not last. Good luck .. I would have a shop test the charging system with a quality testor that can check the true amp reading, real load test and diodes in the reg as well. We use a Sun VAT 45. Something along those line to give you a base line. Grounds are always the first place to look. Check the stator reg plug as well for any oil.
Steve that battery you bought looks like a deka case?? Any idea what temp the 600 CCA was tested at?
There actually are real standards for CCA Steve, but you are correct in that some companies play fast and loose with the numbers they advertise. For instance, those folks at Odyssey like to use CA instead of CCA, or better yet their own invention they call pulse cranking amps, which just involves the amps for the first couple seconds, not the 30 seconds in the actual test specifications.
The real industry standard is CCA (cold cranking amps), and it has been for a long time. Any company in this day and age still using CA ratings is obviously trying to mislead consumers, and I won't do business with those kind of people. I consider them in the same class as the folks selling $25 spark plugs that do nothing but lighten people's wallets.
CCA - the number of amps the battery can deliver at 0°F for 30 seconds without dropping below 7.2 volts.
CA - the number of amps the battery can deliver at 32°F.
HCA - the number of amps the battery can deliver at 80°F (this one hasn't been used for as long as I can remember).
Sadly there are more scam artists these days than legitimate and ethical folks, at least it sure seems that way. Anytime the typical rating for a particular size battery is xxx CCA, and someone comes along and suddenly claims xxx plus 200 CCA for the exact same case size and chemistry, the red flags should start flying and the bells start ringing in your brain.
Jerry