Battery Life??
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
Battery Life??
Ok, Got a question .....
One of our trucks (new in early 2001) has the original batteries in it. They are approaching 6 yrs old. I figured for sure they'd bite the dust during the cold snap a couple of weeks ago - temps in the single digits but, nope they're still going strong. One thing is though - truck doesn't sit outside very often so, the batts have never had to work that hard on cold starts. When it does have to sit outside I plug it in when it's cold. (below 30deg)
Hate to rush out to buy new ones but, Are my batts living on borrowed time or, are they lasting this long cause they've been baby'd?
DG
One of our trucks (new in early 2001) has the original batteries in it. They are approaching 6 yrs old. I figured for sure they'd bite the dust during the cold snap a couple of weeks ago - temps in the single digits but, nope they're still going strong. One thing is though - truck doesn't sit outside very often so, the batts have never had to work that hard on cold starts. When it does have to sit outside I plug it in when it's cold. (below 30deg)
Hate to rush out to buy new ones but, Are my batts living on borrowed time or, are they lasting this long cause they've been baby'd?
DG
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,292
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From: Ardenvoir, Washington
My original Motocraft batteries in my 99 (10/98) are still going strong..(8 years old) but like you say they don't usual sit outside at nite.. Do you have the small glass windows in the top of the battery. If they are green, they should be in good shape ..
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
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From: Middle Tennessee
There is a reason batteries come with a warranty well below 72 months. Not to pee on your parade, but I see batteries in your near future. Both of mine were still green dotted this year, but they are at the hazardous waste recycle place wherever that is now. Had a good run but I did not want to get stranded as they failed load testing.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
Bat Life
Yup - I know the indicator 'eyes' are not a good indicator of battery condition but, I probably do something most people don't do anymore - I check the electrolyte level @ every other oil change. Just one of the things I do while waiting for the oil to finish draining. Caps aren't that hard to get off even though these are 'maint free' batts. I had to add distilled water to one battery about a week ago which makes me wonder how much longer they'll go. Have to admit this is the longest I've gone on a set of batteries. Think I'll be out shopping for new ones next week so, I can be ready to replace 'em.
DG
DG
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Two batteries cost the same as a tow bill. Why pay both? You are losing reserve capacity as time goes by and in the wintertime it's when you need it the most.
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
Batts
Guess I'll be shopping for batteries on Monday. Probably see what the motorcraft ones cost 1st @ the stealership then, hit all the major spots - wallyworld,a-zone, advance,napa.
DG
DG
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,157
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From: Littleton, Colorado
I got 9 yrs out of the factory battey in an '89 Lincoln Towncar. In Colorado parked outside.
The fact that you've stayed on top of the electrolyte and never ran 'em down is why they are still going.
They haven't had the chance to get sufated. The two killers of starting batteries are severe discharge (especially when left discharged for an extended period) and low electrolyte.
Eventually the cells will reach the end of their duty cycle and there's nothing that can stop that.
However, an estimated 70% of batteries thrown out worldwide still have significant life in them if treated properly.
I'm a master electrician and a electronics enthusiast/hobbiest.
I built my own pulse charger over 7 yrs ago and have revived dozens of sulfated lead acid batteries to within 90% of their original life.
A shorted cell is a death warrant though. My next door neighbor is still on the stock batteries on his 2000 PSD Van he bought in 1999. And they are like brand new as far as their CCA under a load.
They are no different than we are. Its not so much the age, its the clean living or lack of that matters most.
Here's a good link on the subject:
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html
Austin
The fact that you've stayed on top of the electrolyte and never ran 'em down is why they are still going.
They haven't had the chance to get sufated. The two killers of starting batteries are severe discharge (especially when left discharged for an extended period) and low electrolyte.
Eventually the cells will reach the end of their duty cycle and there's nothing that can stop that.
However, an estimated 70% of batteries thrown out worldwide still have significant life in them if treated properly.
I'm a master electrician and a electronics enthusiast/hobbiest.
I built my own pulse charger over 7 yrs ago and have revived dozens of sulfated lead acid batteries to within 90% of their original life.
A shorted cell is a death warrant though. My next door neighbor is still on the stock batteries on his 2000 PSD Van he bought in 1999. And they are like brand new as far as their CCA under a load.
They are no different than we are. Its not so much the age, its the clean living or lack of that matters most.
Here's a good link on the subject:
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html
Austin
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 132
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IIRC I think that the little window thing is just an indicator as to whether or not the battery is safe to try a jump start. I'm not sure what conditions change the indicator but I'm pretty sure that's all it is used for