Batteries, What, Where and how long they lasted.

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 30, 2009 at 23:00

ThreadID: 68398 Views:2550 Replies:5 FollowUps:4

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Haza

It's coming to that time again to get a new battery, got my batteries tested today main came up at 21% 2 years old and Aux %52 one year old, on a century battery tester.
When I was down south I'd get 3.5 to 5 years out of my battery,
Since living in Darwin and North W.A, I'm getting right on 2 years.
I use to have Bosch Batteries, the ones from super cheap I think they where 600cc 4x4.
Since then I've replaced them with Century 600cc Marine Pro, which is still a lead acid but with heavier lead plates with supports.
Anyone used on of those smart chargers (ctek) after a Battery test and seen a improvement, I don't mean a test the next day or two but months later.
How long have your batteries lasted you? where are you? and what type? Do you regulary maintain them etc top up with distilled water, give them a charge on a mains charger?. Have they been used on corrigated roads?

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Reply By: toyocrusa - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 06:39

Friday, May 01, 2009 at 06:39

Hi. In our mechanical/retail spares business we often see batteries around 7 years old. The oldest I have seen is 13 and I have noticed they are normally original equipment Yuasa batteries fitted from the factory. Yuasa own Century which we sell. Have found Century to last 4 years on average but have seen some fail at 2 and others go to 7. Distilled water is a necessity.This area is NSW South East coast mainly suburban but adjoins country areas although roads are not too rough. Our battery rep.travels Wollongong to Eden and has had similar experences. Regards,Bob.

AnswerID: 362535

Follow Up By: HGMonaro - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 09:58

Friday, May 01, 2009 at 09:58

Last year I replaced the original battery in our '97 VS Commode, fancy HSV variant... maybe they upgrade the battery for the price difference :) 11 years was pretty good, especially considering the last 6-7 it has only had short trips.

FollowupID: 630278

Reply By: Roughasguts - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 08:41

Friday, May 01, 2009 at 08:41

My marine battery is 8 years old now and still okay.
I charge it every 3 weeks or so! or just before I take the boat out.

The Battery use to fully charge in ten minutes, now it can take up 3 hours on a normal 10 Amp charger.

However I did put that inox battery conditioner in around 6 years ago, since then it took longer to charge, but it hasn't died yet!

Why it's lasting so long I don't know! maybe cause the boat hardly gets used so there aren't two many cycles for the battery to kill it. "like 20 per year"

AnswerID: 362543

Follow Up By: Haza - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 09:17

Friday, May 01, 2009 at 09:17

I guess that gets me to my next question of wheather to remove the second battery and fully charge it and leave it on the shelf when not in use.

I work on Alarm Security systems and find a huge difference on how long a 12V 7ah sealed battery lasts depending wheather it in a Air conditioned room at constant 25 degress, will get 5 years opposed to one that is in a shed getting 20-50 degress only see 2-3 years.

FollowupID: 630270

Reply By: howesy - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 09:22

Friday, May 01, 2009 at 09:22

Bigger is always better you can never have too big a battery, why are you wasting your time going by manufacturer guidelines.
A 600 amp battery is something I would put in my V8 falcon. I always put 750 to 800 CCA batteries in 4WD and they last for years.

AnswerID: 362552

Follow Up By: Haza - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 20:34

Friday, May 01, 2009 at 20:34

Good point, my battery is larger then the orginial as I have a 2.8L Rodeo and the 600 is the biggest that I can fit. I try to keep my aux the same as the main. So I can swap them around, I also have a winch and like to use both batteries.

FollowupID: 630371

Reply By: kiwicol - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 18:53

Friday, May 01, 2009 at 18:53

I have the yuasa century overlander batterys x2 fitted to my patrol, i usually get about 3 yrs life and that is doing trips of 6- 8 mths straight, running large explorer fridge freezer and 1 fluro light, i live FNQ. I have recently bought a 25 amp C TEK charger and now find i get longer running time from battery before needing a recharge, as a alternater will not fully chrarge any battery to full capacity ( highly disputed on this site ). I swear by the C- Tek, money well spent. Col

AnswerID: 362662