Reason I ask is because I bought a brand new battery last year (or the year before, I can't exactly remember), and its starting to act really strange like it doesnt want to hold a full charge anymore. Is it time to change it already? 
How long does the avg battery last?
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Seemed like every year and every Spring/Summer for me with those Kragon batteries.
every time I had them check my charging circuit as well. It was charging acording to their electrical checking gizmo.
The only addition I had to the electrical circuit was a not too powerfull 75W stereo system.
Well, all that's in the process of change now.
every time I had them check my charging circuit as well. It was charging acording to their electrical checking gizmo.
The only addition I had to the electrical circuit was a not too powerfull 75W stereo system.
Well, all that's in the process of change now.
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2,349 Posts
There ya go........2 years is about it....:sad: The other thing to consider is how often the vehicle is driven to recharge it. You may want to get a trickle or keep charged automatic charger for it. The charger will maintain the battery when the vehicle isn't used for extended periods.The one I have is a very inexpensive one from ValueCraft
I've been down the cheap battery road too and it just isn't worth it in the long run. I wasn't paying as much up front, but I was buying twice as many over time...:noway: I got tired of the aggravation of always buying a battery for something around here and now just get good ones.
The wifes battery just up and died Monday night in her Passat. It was 6 years old. I took it out, went to VW and plunked down the $100.00 for another original. 100.00 divided by 6 = $17.00 year. That, to me, is cheap piece of mind...:thumbsup:
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1,821 Posts
Between cars, trucks, and farm equipment I have eight batteries, six of them with top posts. Whenever a tractor or spray rig battery goes bad I pull the battery out of the Camaro to get the farm equipment going. Then the Camaro gets a new battery. This way the Camaro never has a battery older than one year. I have been doing this for years because a new battery is not only more reliable but also gives off less corrosive gas than an old one. I always buy top of the line Batteries and they last me 4-5 years.
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13,704 Posts
I agree with Steve :thumbsup:
I play the 'Battery Roulet' game all the time ...
The wifes car gets the newest one - the other (less important vehicles) get the hand-me-downs as they need accourding to age.
I've bought two so far this year.
I think of them like 'MD' does - life of part/divided by price = the cost per cycle to me also - most of these service items are dirt cheap, when this is taken into account.
A $100 battery is MUCH cheaper than any $50 battery when it will last 3~4 times longer ...
JMHO
I play the 'Battery Roulet' game all the time ...
The wifes car gets the newest one - the other (less important vehicles) get the hand-me-downs as they need accourding to age.
I've bought two so far this year.
I think of them like 'MD' does - life of part/divided by price = the cost per cycle to me also - most of these service items are dirt cheap, when this is taken into account.
A $100 battery is MUCH cheaper than any $50 battery when it will last 3~4 times longer ...
JMHO
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2,349 Posts
I know what you mean about the never ending battery buying, Steve. I have 2 semi's that take 4 EACH, plus my boat, forklift, 2 daily drivers, lawn tractor, 3 vintage vehicles and a generator...I'm juggling 17 batteries here...that's why I don't buy the cheap stuff anymore.....I change enough as it is....:yes:
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182 Posts
I drive my '69 every day. I put a battery in it 5 years ago and it's still going strong.
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262 Posts
I bought an Optima about two years ago, and it's still going strong. Sure, it needs a little recharging every three weeks during times of non-use, but I haven't had to replace it like I had to with the Kragen batteries.
The Optima in my Vintage Race Shelby GT350 is 9 years old and the original Motorcraft batteries in my diesel truck lasted 12 1/2 years. Yes, I religously check the water and make sure the batteries stay charged.
Most batteries die because of a bad charging system or neglect.
Most batteries die because of a bad charging system or neglect.
True average life of a battery according to Exide was about 4 years at least when I worked for Kragen a while back. Kragen carries a different brand now but that seems about right. If you live in a warmer or colder climate or abuse your batteries in any way that life goes down.
The best battery is Optima IMO.
The best battery is Optima IMO.
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