battery date stamps

2 = second H = hand R = reject and i guess the 09 might mean it was meant to last nine minutes :) sorry,couldn't help myself :))

A quote from http://www.allpar.com/fix/batteries.html:

The code is a string of letters numbers, but all the real information you need is in the first two characters. Usually, the code starts with a letter that corresponds with the month--'A' for January through 'L' for December (some manufacturer's codes omit 'I'; for them, 'M' indicates December). The second character of the code is a numeral that stands for the year. Thus, a code starting 'A2' indicates that the battery was shipped in January 1992; 'B2' indicates February 1992, and so on. (Delco reverses the letter and the number; a Delco code starting with '2C' indicates the battery was shipped in March 1992.)

I would summise it to be August 2002.

Andrew

If I understand the 'question' the date code in question is "stamped" into the top of the battery @ the edge, by the supplier of the battery when its sold (or filled if wetcell) to give it a history and is only for warranty purposes.

The date code may vary, with individual 'stampers' ideas of correct procedures....

'2' could be 2002 or February ??
'09' could be September ??
'HR' is a Holden !

generally the actual day is not included only the week, month & year