Auxilliary Battery replacement

4 year is good, though modern batteries [e.g. AGM type] could probably do more if had a low voltage cutout installed in the circuit. Battery life is governed as much by how often it goes flat as well as the quality of the charge, and how much work has to do.

viz

Hi Bonz

Batteries are not my forte - I just know as much as the next guy... BUT... If you got 4 years out of an Aux battery that was flat/charged/flat charged...&c then you are probly doing well... You will now get a heap of advice on what you SHOULD have done to get an extra year or two out of it...
I will desist from smart-arse comments re your electro-mechanical abilities as yours are probly better than mine...
Jedo

Mate, 4 years sounds pretty good for the caning you're likely to have given the poor damn thing!!!! hahahaha

Cheers

Roachie

I got 4 odd out of my last Remco AGM and it was also underbonnet which is a no no. i was poorly cycled/flattened/shorted etc etc.i now have a Haze 100ah Gel in its place so we will see how long it lasts(about 1 yr old now)

G'day Bonz,

here is a quote from a reply I did to a different forum. The difference was that the batteries in question were in a caravan, so when you see the word "van", substitute "car".

"The variables are:

What type of battery are they?
What is the quality of manufacture?
What have they been used for?
Have they been on float charge while the van has been idle?
How deeply have they been discharged?
How often have they been deeply discharged?
Have they been charged at the correct rate?
Have they been charged to the correct voltage?
Have they been given a boost charge and if so, how often?
Have they exceeded 40 degrees celcius and how often?

I can't even help you with a rule of thumb life expectancy without knowing the anwers to many of the above.

As a guide, AGM batteries, looked after optimally, will last about 7000 charge/discharge cycles if discharged by no more than 20% of their rated capacity. (That is, 80% capacity left after discharge).

However, if discharged to 50% they will last only about 2000 charge/discharge cycles.

If they are discharged by 80% (virtually dead flat) you would be lucky to get 300 charge/discharge cycles.

Not leaving batteries (except AGM types) on float charge while the van is idle is another killer. The batteries get a condition called Sulphation and this can kill them very quickly.

I think four years is probably on the money if you are not familiar with the principles and techniques that can extend their life." end of quote

Bonz,I got my figures from a webpage that went quite deeply into battery life and battery maintenance. I've changed PC's since then and I'll have to dig up the link when I get some time. I'll post it when I do, it's very informative.

Cheers
Russ.

not all of us are aware of your mechanical abilities....What Did You Do Wrong?......