2 & 1/2 years and a dead battery

[john70t]

Originally Posted by masraum

The heat in our environment is very bad for batteries.

Always wondered why under-hood ambient temps are ignored.

-People in the hotter climates might consider a hood with louvers/fan?
-Separate fan/insulation for the battery?

[GH85Carrera]

I remember the “good old days” when batteries gave lots of warning it was gettin weak. Over a long period the starter ran slower and slower until it died. Now it can be 100% full speed, then just stop due to a failed battery. I have used Interstate batteries for 30 years. I am about to give up on them. The last few have died like they were executed. Just dead as a doornail even 30 minutes after it was perfect.

[rfuerst911sc]

My opinion .

1. Batteries in general are of lesser quality .
2. Modern cars have so many computers and gizmos that draw power .
3. For batteries installed in the engine bay the under hood temps are very high.

I installed a AGM battery in my Boxster 3 years ago and I have it on a charger/maintainer any time the car is parked . But on the flip side I have two Interstate wet cell batteries in my 2001 Duramax , I never charge them and they are still kicking . Sometimes a little dumb luck helps 😁

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 908/930

I think it has to do with high charge rates and running higher voltage from the alt. My truck also seems to boil out the water from the battery pretty quick.

This post catches my eye. May be something to this.

2007 Yukon Denali XL. Customer's car. Farting around with a probable poor ground.

Anyhoo. Crank it up and 14.9V to battery that just checked out at FLAPS at only 10 CCA less than stated on the battery. That seems high for a "good" battery.

Going to check water level.

[john70t]

Surface charges can read artificially high after the alternator has been pumping it up for a while.
(Think static electricity.)

Put a light load on it for 5 minutes like defrost or driving lights and re-check voltage.

[red-beard]

I just looked at Pep Boys. The "middle grade" battery looks the best and is only 36 month. The 48 Month AGM has lower capacity and lower CCA.

[tabs]

My first battery in my F150 went about 5.5 years the next Walmart battery went 9 years the second Walmart battery went 6 years and now the 4th battery which again is from Walmart is about 2 years and change.

[vash]

My wife’s Costco battery went 10 years. Just replaced it a few weeks ago with another unit from Costco.

Me? I’m an Interstate guy, but this time I tried a Deka battery fir kicks.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by john70t

Surface charges can read artificially high after the alternator has been pumping it up for a while.
(Think static electricity.)

Put a light load on it for 5 minutes like defrost or driving lights and re-check voltage.

Fair enough. Will do.

[stealthn]

Gave up traditional batteries and am moving to Lithium with automatic jumpstarts.

Will be doing all our cars

[Scott Douglas]

When I replaced our battery back in '16, I was surprised that a Wally World battery had the best economy rating perf/cost/warranty wise.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

When I replaced our battery back in '16, I was surprised that a Wally World battery had the best economy rating perf/cost/warranty wise.

You are right. The better battery at Wallyworld is equal to the Pep Boys, or slightly better, for $25 less.

[Scott Douglas]

Yeah, surprising isn't it?
I checked the reco's on Consumer's Report to find it. They reco'd it based on the price vs the big guys.

[red-beard]

The CCA were equal and the CA were more. And more reserve capacity.

[red-beard]

Update:

My mother's car battery is dead/dying. Also a Motor-craft, manufactured 6/2017

Was that a bad year for batteries?

Notice the buildup, that gray crap. It is not near a terminal or cap. It looks like it is leaking.

Now, why my mother insists on going to the Lincoln dealer is beyond me...

[Scott Douglas]

Maybe she thinks it is still under warranty and she'll get more going that route.

[Dansvan]

I’ve read several places that the Walmart/Costco Optimas are built to lesser quality standards than the normal ones, hence the lower costs there. I think that ultimately is Optima shooting itself in the foot.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Maybe she thinks it is still under warranty and she'll get more going that route.

No, why did she go to the dealer for a replacement battery. Car is a 2008.

[red-beard]

Oh, and she cannot stand to be without the car until morning and had AAA come and replace it...

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Update:

Also a Motor-craft, manufactured 6/2017

Doesn't matter if the car is 2008, the battery is a 2017 model according to you. Based on that I'd say it might have still been under the 36 month free replacement portion of the warranty.

Not arguing with you, just trying to explain the logic to my post.