In the past I have always used my starter batteries to failure and that is probably stupid. My current starter battery is nearly 4 years old and is having slight hesitation on starting, especially in this fall colder weather. Do any of you just change out the battery at some several year interval or do you test it for voltage and change at a certain voltage signifying incomplete charging (performance decline)?
Starter Battery Conditioin
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I'm planning on replacing my starting batteries next week. I'm changing them out because if I start the truck once or twice, just long enough to move the truck but not charge the batteries, then let it sit for a week, it's pretty much guaranteed to be dead when I try to start it again after that. I have no idea how old the batteries are (used truck), but since they're not meeting my needs, time to swap 'em out.
To answer your question though, I do generally continue using starting batteries until they give me some kind of trouble. We're driving cars, not planes, so if something dies, it's not like we're going to fall out of the sky. Sure, might be a bit of a pain to get up and running, but that's why we have backups! (Solar panels, generators, friends with jumper cables, etc.)
To answer your question though, I do generally continue using starting batteries until they give me some kind of trouble. We're driving cars, not planes, so if something dies, it's not like we're going to fall out of the sky. Sure, might be a bit of a pain to get up and running, but that's why we have backups! (Solar panels, generators, friends with jumper cables, etc.)
wagoneer
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Time for me as well with 2 starter batteries I have gotten 3 years out of the current set that were used and unmatched when I bought the truck.
MrNoodly
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I told a mechanic friend I might need a new battery soon. He answered, "You can still start the van, right? The day you can't start it is the day you need a new battery. If you get a new battery sooner, then you're throwing away however many starts you might have gotten from the old battery."
Of course, it helps to have some way to start the vehicle when the battery does finally die. I can jump from my house batteries.
Of course, it helps to have some way to start the vehicle when the battery does finally die. I can jump from my house batteries.
Thanks for the thoughts. At the very least I will get a jump starter I guess. I have been stranded at home once (had to get ride into work), after work once (had to get jump started by security), after work at Big Lots (got jump started by nice person with truck and I headed to nearby Walmart). It's where you get stranded is the issue. You either need to be in town or be able to help yourself when the battery fails. So far all of my fails have been in town and getting help from others.
user 37446
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RVTravel said:
it's only "stupid" if you don't have a charged up jump pac, or some way to link your house batteries to the starter (even long jumper cables would work). Otherwise you are not getting all the value out of your battery. If you are out in the boonies a lot then you may want to change just to be safer however again, the inexpensive portable L Ion jump starters (look on Amazon for a deal on Black Friday) would be what I'd recommend.
https://www.amazon.com/K12-Powerpac...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BNMM798VDCT68AJ7JX0S[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]4.3 out of 5 stars https://www.amazon.com/product-revi...6011_cr_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=BNMM798VDCT68AJ7JX0S[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]162[/font][/font]
$34.99 Prime
I'm not saying this is the one, just a sample of price and amperage. Read the reviews and size according to your engine.
Like any battery, the starter system needs routine maintenance. Examine wires and outer condition of the battery. If not sealed, check electrolyte level. Clean the terminal connections. Look at the drive belt to help the alternator. And yes, I get a new battery the first time there is trouble starting.
frater secessus
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The average starter battery life numbers I've seen is 3yrs. I use mine to extinction, then roll-start it for a while longer... 
MikeRuth
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you didn't mention the vehicle, but on most modern cars the batteries these days tend to just QUIT!!! Saw it happen recently on a newer KIA, 3 year old car, starts fine and bam, won't start. Put a jump on it, got him home, 20 minute drive, tried to start, NADA. Battery was toast. So If you have any inclination that your battery is not up to par, then I say replace it.
To the mechanic who said drive it till it quits...Ah that's terrible advice for those of us traveling in sparsely populated areas, I mean would he come out for you 90 minutes into the desert?
Newer cars tend to fire up really quick compared to the older cars that didn't have EFI etc. WE cranked on them a few seconds, and we got a feeling of how the battery was performing. No more.
Mike R
To the mechanic who said drive it till it quits...Ah that's terrible advice for those of us traveling in sparsely populated areas, I mean would he come out for you 90 minutes into the desert?
Newer cars tend to fire up really quick compared to the older cars that didn't have EFI etc. WE cranked on them a few seconds, and we got a feeling of how the battery was performing. No more.
Mike R
Any anomalies in starting / charging system , I do testing find what's up and then repair or replace .
After being the auto repair business for some decades , I've found that doings this give the most life out of all related parts ,
battery , alternator , started etc.
Letting any one of these go to total failure , degrades the others - making for shorter life .
Generally speaking , I have never had a battery [ good brands ] not last to , or past there warranty , now days 78+ months .
With so many used for batteries , once they get performance issues , use for lower current draw uses .
After being the auto repair business for some decades , I've found that doings this give the most life out of all related parts ,
battery , alternator , started etc.
Letting any one of these go to total failure , degrades the others - making for shorter life .
Generally speaking , I have never had a battery [ good brands ] not last to , or past there warranty , now days 78+ months .
With so many used for batteries , once they get performance issues , use for lower current draw uses .
Spaceman Spiff
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MikeRuth said:
That has been my experience (twice). Battery starts truck with no problems, 5 minutes later nothing.
Which is why I want to start carrying a jump pack, as I have a 5 y.o. battery and like to stay in the wild.
Trebor English
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I have a "deep cycle" battery for everything. Once a month I check specific gravity and add water. When cranking the engine I have a volt meter so I can see how low it goes. In spite of all this I know that it will go suddenly. A cell will go open or short. Either way the engine cannot be run without damage. A lithium jumper pack might get it started but you cannot run an alternator with no battery (open circuit) or with a perfectly good 10 volt battery.
If I am lucky the battery will die by having a high level of self discharge. My last one did that. A jump start will let you drive to the store to get another battery.
If I am lucky the battery will die by having a high level of self discharge. My last one did that. A jump start will let you drive to the store to get another battery.
DLTooley
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I just had an alternator go out deep in the Utah Backcountry. I used my solar to recharge the battery. It took 2 day comfortable days to get out. Hopefully I didn't trash my AGM starter battery too bad.
In cooler climates a cold spell is likely when you will see a failure. The other big thing to watch for is letting a vehicle sit for an extended time. Typically a battery should last 4-5 years.
When the alternator was starting to go I did use the house battery to jump start once. That allowed me to get in deeper!
In cooler climates a cold spell is likely when you will see a failure. The other big thing to watch for is letting a vehicle sit for an extended time. Typically a battery should last 4-5 years.
When the alternator was starting to go I did use the house battery to jump start once. That allowed me to get in deeper!
UPDATE: I took my car to Walmart for an oil change and the battery died on site...lmao. Well, according to the guy after I got there and mentioned my car battery was hesitating to start. I bought an Everstart MAXX 51R for abouts 107 bucks.
