Battery Life/Charging System

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, decided to test battery and charging condtions on my 47, which isa 6 volt system still, with new wiring, new 2/0 bat cables, and confirmed genny, VR.

My battery is going on 4 or 5 years ol though, it is a 625 CC battery, so not that huge to begin with.

I did a voltage test on battery, car has been sitting for at least 4 days, I havea master cut-off switch too.

The voltage reading was 6.4 volts.

I thn started the engine, and the genny was charging at 7.25 volts, which sounds pretty good.

The battery voltage waould drop back a bit, once the engine is shut off.

I am touching wood, not sure how much longer this battery will last........Fred

[greg g]

I am going on the 4th year with my latest battery. An Exide second with the same CCA rating s yours. I think battery life is a crapshoot, seems anything over three to 4 years is unusual.

[Reg Evans]

Yeah, mine usually give up after about 4 years.

[BobT-47P15]

Is anyone using a "Battery Tender" trickle charger while the car sits?

They say those keep it from sulfating, or some such, and make the

battery last longer.

Link to ad: http://www.autogeek.net/btjunior.html

Edited September 24, 2010 by BobT-47P15

[P-12 Tommy]

I usually get 3 to 4 years. About 30 years ago I had a " Delco Freedom battery" last almost 6 years.

Tom

[Reg Evans]

Is anyone using a "Battery Tender" trickle charger while the car sits?

They say those keep it from sulfating, or some such, and make the

battery last longer.

Link to ad: http://www.autogeek.net/btjunior.html

I guess I should but I've just been starting my cars every month and taking them for a 20 minute drive during the winter. That doesn't seem to extend the life much past 4 yrs.

[cwcars88]

I use Battery Tenders and think they are well worth there money.

I used to buy Diehard and Delco batterys they did there job, but several times when they failed it would be just a couple of months or even weeks after the expiration date.

I stopped using them because I did not like the dealers.

I have been using Les Schwab batterys for the last 20 years and have had a few that has lasted over 10 years, can't beet that. I do buy a battery with the most cca that I can get in the battery box.

Wayne

[Reg Evans]

I use Battery Tenders and think they are well worth there money.

I used to buy Diehard and Delco batterys they did there job, but several times when they failed it would be just a couple of months or even weeks after the expiration date.

I stopped using them because I did not like the dealers.

I have been using Les Schwab batterys for the last 20 years and have had a few that has lasted over 10 years, can't beet that. I do buy a battery with the most cca that I can get in the battery box.

Wayne

Maybe I'll try them next time. What does their good 6 V battery cost ?

[Don Coatney]

A couple weeks ago I replaced my 4 year old battery. And the one before that lasted about 4-5 years.

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, my Sears and Roebuck lawn tractor, bought in 2005, battery still works, keep that one inside from October to April.

My 47, bought the battery in 2005, thought it was 2006, but just checked.

My 2005 Dodge Van, bought new in 2004, still has OEM battery.

Is this a cooler climate thing, why batteries sem to last a little longer up here.

I have a off brand 6/12 volt battery tender, will use it during the winter......Fred

[busycoupe]

I use a battery tender and it seemed to work, however, I can't say that it made the battery last longer. When I bought the car 3 years ago the PO said that the car had been sitting and that he just put the batttery in to sell the car. It didn't seem to be a very good battery, and it was physically small. I don't know what the cca rating was. That battery limped along with the help of the battery tender until about a month ago. I replaced that battery and can't believe how much better the car starts, and runs. I still use the battery tender, because there are times when I don't take the car out for a couple of weeks.

Dave

[53_Suburban]

I've got an "Interstate" battery in the Suburban that is 8 or 9 years old. The car wasn't driven much, but I started it up about once a month during that time period.

It ran down a couple times, but I just recharged it with a cheap Sears trickle charger and it would crank the car after an overnight charging.

Since July it's been getting started/driven just aboutevery other day and the battery still has given me no problems. It might crank over faster with a new battery, but if it ain't broke, why change it?

[cwcars88]

The Batt I have in my stock daily driver ( Les Schwab ) 60 Months

Product code 04072003

Description 1-640-special app. 6 volt starting battery $63.19

[mackster]

The Batt I have in my stock daily driver ( Les Schwab ) 60 Months

Product code 04072003

Description 1-640-special app. 6 volt starting battery $63.19

ditto. i just bought one and it cost me 66 bucks...plus core charge...

[Young Ed]

I buy cheap 29.99 6v batteries. Typically from fleet farm. I got 8 years out of the first one in my 46 pickup. The one in my plymouth was still working fine after about 5 but I discovered I cracked the case next to the negative terminal in the crash.