Replace the Battery...as a Precaution?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: SE PA
Replace the Battery...as a Precaution?
Hey guys, my 2005 V10 Ex is garage kept. I work at home and have a different daily driver so it usually goes out once a week.
At 40,000 miles and 10 years...it still has the original factory installed battery. I keep a tender on it if it's going to sit a while and so far everything has been OK.
At 10 years, should I replace the battery just to avoid a potential problem?
At 40,000 miles and 10 years...it still has the original factory installed battery. I keep a tender on it if it's going to sit a while and so far everything has been OK.
At 10 years, should I replace the battery just to avoid a potential problem?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,258
Likes: 771
From: Houston, Texas
A simple alternator upgrade will keep things kosher....in addition to replacing the battery.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...lternator.html
I think the trickle charger you've had it on is what's kept your almost 11 year old battery happy. I'd replace it with something newer like an AGM or maintenance free battery.
I run Super Start Extreme's from O'reilly on my '05 Excursion and it always cranks with some serious authority. It also helps that I have a 230 amp alternator now instead of the weak and crappy 140 amp.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...lternator.html
I think the trickle charger you've had it on is what's kept your almost 11 year old battery happy. I'd replace it with something newer like an AGM or maintenance free battery.
I run Super Start Extreme's from O'reilly on my '05 Excursion and it always cranks with some serious authority. It also helps that I have a 230 amp alternator now instead of the weak and crappy 140 amp.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
Upgrade alternator on the V10 ? why ? And with only 40K on the clock ? no way.
I'd do a load test and just carry jumper cables with you.
It is a long time but if it passes the load test I would just keep it.
And keep it on that battery maintainer. That's what keeps it alive so long.
I'd do a load test and just carry jumper cables with you.
It is a long time but if it passes the load test I would just keep it.
And keep it on that battery maintainer. That's what keeps it alive so long.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
I guess I don't see the point in trying to wring every last single electron out of a ten year old battery - at least not on modern microprocessor controlled computerized vehicles with dozens of sensitive, low voltage critical electronic components. The battery is the heart of the entire electrical system and is very cheap compared to alternators, ECUs and prevailing labor rates.
One of the important functions a battery does apart from starting the engine is that it acts as a kind filter or capacitor, to absorb voltage spikes and smooth out sags. I'm not saying bad things will necessarily happen when used to the point of failure but I'm not willing to take the bet. Defective power supplies very commonly ruin all kinds of electronic components and autos run in a pretty brutal environment. YMMV.
One of the important functions a battery does apart from starting the engine is that it acts as a kind filter or capacitor, to absorb voltage spikes and smooth out sags. I'm not saying bad things will necessarily happen when used to the point of failure but I'm not willing to take the bet. Defective power supplies very commonly ruin all kinds of electronic components and autos run in a pretty brutal environment. YMMV.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,758
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From: Colorado
The technology is older than the 10 year old battery in his 05 EX.
Even if the battery is shot, it will still act as a buffer. If it passes the load test, it is just fine.
A defective power supply is a totally different story. They cause damage from overvoltage. Something that rarely happens, 99% of the time they jsut quit and give NO voltage. Something a battery will NEVER do.
But hey, if you enjoy throwing your dollars out....I got some beach property in AZ for sale for you.
Even if the battery is shot, it will still act as a buffer. If it passes the load test, it is just fine.
A defective power supply is a totally different story. They cause damage from overvoltage. Something that rarely happens, 99% of the time they jsut quit and give NO voltage. Something a battery will NEVER do.
But hey, if you enjoy throwing your dollars out....I got some beach property in AZ for sale for you.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 88
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
... One of the important functions a battery does apart from starting the engine is that it acts as a kind filter or capacitor, to absorb voltage spikes and smooth out sags. .... Defective power supplies very commonly ruin all kinds of electronic components and autos run in a pretty brutal environment. ...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 88
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
I agree with Tedster that it's probably time to change out the battery.
It probably won't last much longer.
I usually get 7 or 8 years out of a battery, less with a factory one.
The most I have ever gotten was 12 years on a Penney's Lifetime.
Basically had to wait for it to die to get my free replacement.
Your stock alternator will do just fine.
A higher output alternator doesn't affect how many amps a fully charged battery will output.
I would be more concerned that you probably have 10 year old tires.
It probably won't last much longer.
I usually get 7 or 8 years out of a battery, less with a factory one.
The most I have ever gotten was 12 years on a Penney's Lifetime.
Basically had to wait for it to die to get my free replacement.
Your stock alternator will do just fine.
A higher output alternator doesn't affect how many amps a fully charged battery will output.
I would be more concerned that you probably have 10 year old tires.
