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Car Forum / Australian Car Forums / 4x4 Cars (Australian group) / June 200912V 4WD Battery Lifespans - What is really good value?.
My 1994 landcruiser diesel's original battery lasted for eight years. My wife's 2003 Toyota Echo now going on 6 years is still on its original battery, so clearly 12V batteries can have quite a long life, but all of the replacement batteries I have had for the landcruiser have only lasted 2-3 years, despite having little off road use and very low miles. These replacement batteries have been "ordinary", nothing special, 12V batteries that cost around $150, so it seems to me that comments I have seen on the net about the quality of many 12V batteries being sold in Australia in recent years being of often poor quality compared to batteries from 20-30 years ago may have a lot of truth in it. So it seems that many of the $150-200 batteries, from the auto chain stores, often sold with a 12 month warranty, are really designed to have a low life, with weak thin plates etc. Also it seems that the industry propaganda puts it about that 2 years is a "normal" life for a 12V battery, true for the crappy quality generally being offered in the cheaper batteries, but the several examples of original equipment Toyota batteries I have personal knowledge of tell me that much longer life is clearly achievable. So for a replacement battery is it worth spending around $300-400 for a battery that still has only a 1 or 2 year warranty? Have any readers had a better battery life from particular brand? The AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) type of batteries are claimed to be superior in many respects but at $429 for a Thumper 120AH AGM Redback or $380 for a FirstStart 120AH AGM batteries, both of which still have only a 2 year warranty, the question is are they worth the extra money. For me the AGM type battery has no advantage, unless it is going to clearly last AT LEAST twice as long as a conventional Super Cheap chain store battery that costs $150-200 and less on sale days. What is the experience of readers with AGM batteries, particularly with life span? What about the Centaury-Yuasa N70ZZ4WD for around $235 with a 2 year warranty? Is it really any better than a $150 battery from SuperCheap? Is there any brand of 12V battery that is likely to give a much longer life, like the original equipment batteries on the two Toyotas that i have direct knowledge of? : My 1994 landcruiser diesel's original battery lasted for eight years. My : wife's 2003 Toyota Echo now going on 6 years is still on its original [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] : life, like the original equipment batteries on the two Toyotas that i have : direct knowledge of? Try a speficic battery for 4x4s. They have tighter wound plates so the vibrations dont kill em. If you want a fantastic battery go for an Ultimate (Around $400 though). Deep cycles and up to 1000CCA!!! Calcium batteries are said to be good quality for 4x4s also. > : My 1994 landcruiser diesel's original battery lasted for eight years. My > : wife's 2003 Toyota Echo now going on 6 years is still on its original [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > > Calcium batteries are said to be good quality for 4x4s also. My battery is still going well after 6 years, It's a Calcium type, sealed/maintenance free, For electrical stuff I go to an Auto Electrician, they know more than the dickheads at the Auto stores, this is where I got my battery, and the best thing, it only cost me $118, and it's a 780CCA truck battery Buggered if I can remember the brand though Kev : > Try a speficic battery for 4x4s. They have tighter wound plates so the vibrations dont kill em. : > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] : : Kev If your in SEQld I can recommend a couple of places to go to for expert help and reasonable pricing. And Kev, thats a bloody good price for a Calcium unit, you mustve scammed that one somewhere ;o) and yes, the Autobahns and Repcos etc usuallyhave sh.t for brains $5/hr staff that arent that helpful when you require specific products. Great for "Can I have an airfreshener and a Sub please" but thats about it. > If your in SEQld I can recommend a couple of places to go to for expert > help and reasonable pricing. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Great for "Can I have an airfreshener and a Sub please" but thats about > it. Thanks for the response. Could you name the places you have in mind in SEQld please, I'm from Brisbane. I only got two to three years out of my batteries when I had the diesel LC. I now have a petrol v8 LC which is much easier on the battery (4 years so far) and also much smaller one required. I put it down to the much much extra work on the battery to turn over the 4.2 litre diesel. Also city driving usually means a lot more starts and less running time to recharge. Consequence is most of the time the battery is only half charged and that leads to shorter battery life. I once killed a battery in the diesel LC with too many stops and starts when attempting to back my caravan into a very difficult space on my block. Just died after about an hour of stop start. I used to have an identical auxilliary battery which I just put into the starter battery position when it expired and put the new one in the auxilliary position. The auxilliary battery, with little drain and mostly fully charged, was always in good condition. >> If your in SEQld I can recommend a couple of places to go to for expert >> help and reasonable pricing. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Could you name the places you have in mind in SEQld please, I'm from > Brisbane. :I only got two to three years out of my batteries when I had the diesel LC. : I now have a petrol v8 LC which is much easier on the battery (4 years so [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] : battery, with little drain and mostly fully charged, was always in good : condition. Aux batteries should be deep cycle to get the most from them. Deep cycling a standard battery will shorten its life dramatically. Then again, Sealed Lead Acids are always a good buy, expensive new though. >(snip)> : > > Aux batteries should be deep cycle to get the most from them. Deep cycling > a standard battery will > shorten its life dramatically. I know, ....but I wasn't deep cycling it and its primary use was as a spare starting battery for desert trips I have a deep cycle gel battery in my caravan ("geltec").Even that I only take it to 50 % or 11.9 volts I wouldn't use it as a permanent starting battery tho. Charging a sealed battery can be complicated for a variety of reasons. They can be ruined by overcharging quite easily. ...especially when the ambient temperature is high . at over $400 not worth the risk. > Then again, Sealed Lead Acids are always a good buy, expensive new though. : >(snip)> : : > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] : high . : at over $400 not worth the risk. In my industry we use em for 2 years under perfect (or close to it) charge conditions then change them. They last for another 2-5 years easy if kept under good conditions. The 100-200 Ahrs are bloody great camping batteries when used in conjunction with Solar panels. You need to charge them at around 14.5VDC though for optimum condition. : > Then again, Sealed Lead Acids are always a good buy, expensive new though. > : >(snip)> : > : > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > You need to charge them > at around 14.5VDC though for optimum condition. Sounds like a battery from an ups. They change them every 2 years and most of them are still ok. Mate of mine can get them for a slab. > : > Then again, Sealed Lead Acids are always a good buy, expensive new > though. : > : >(snip)> : : > : > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] : They change them every 2 years and most of them are still ok. Mate of mine : can get them for a slab. Not being a big drinker I prefer the cash, but if you want some good ones (100Ahr plus) you can have them for the price of a decent slab. ;o) Ive some 80's and 100's at the moment in perfect condition. >>(snip)> : >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >high . >at over $400 not worth the risk. All batteries suffer badly from overcharging. >> Then again, Sealed Lead Acids are always a good buy, expensive new though. Unless you are woried about spillage, there are a waste of money IMO. They offer no real substantial benefit over a flooded lead acid battery. : >>(snip)> : : >> [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] : They offer no real substantial benefit over a flooded lead acid : battery. Apart from the longevity, the ease of charge, safety (being sealed) the great reserve power. They are basically the best battery for UPS, and other systems that require reliable power. I use them because I HAVE to. Also means that I get an abundance of good quality used ones to boot. Most go to people that want them for running lights on tinnies, in sheds, powering buggies, golf trundlers, ride on mowers, motor bikes and camping power supplies. They are great for carting around as the larger ones have handles and nice sizes bolt holes on the poles. Let me know if you want some and what size. Charging MUST be at least 13.5 volts for optimum life though. Im running some on a solar panel with the reg cranked at 14.5v which is perfect for them. > Unless you are woried about spillage, there are a waste of money IMO. > They offer no real substantial benefit over a flooded lead acid > battery. They do if you buy them from Scotty Kev : >>(snip)> : : >> [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] : They offer no real substantial benefit over a flooded lead acid : battery. The other issue which is a kinda bigone on auto use (Enclosed charging) is that a SLAB wont emit the hydrogen gases while being over charged. When they are stuffed they just swell up and get hot. Ive purposfully overcharged a 12 volt battery at 24 volts and all they do is get hot and big! > : >> Then again, Sealed Lead Acids are always a good buy, expensive new though. > : [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > hydrogen gases while being over charged. When they are stuffed they just swell up and get hot. Ive > purposfully overcharged a 12 volt battery at 24 volts and all they do is get hot and big! Happened on one of mine when the alt/reg went , running about 19v for a couple of hundred k did it no good :)( now I need a new huge battery) : > : >> Then again, Sealed Lead Acids are always a good buy, expensive new though. : > : [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] : Happened on one of mine when the alt/reg went , running about 19v for a : couple of hundred k did it no good :)( now I need a new huge battery) What size you need? 100Ahr too small? > : > The other issue which is a kinda bigone on auto use (Enclosed > charging) is that a SLAB wont emit [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > : > purposfully overcharged a 12 volt battery at 24 volts and all they do > is get hot and big! Hey Scotty you like to live dangerously. I always believed that All lead acid batteries emitted hydrogen while being charged. Sort of part of the chemistry of a lead acid battery, sealed or otherwise. The trick with sealed batteries is they store the gas which is recombined when the battery is discharged. They should have a safety valve which stops them getting too "swelled up and hot.This releases the gas which is lost and no longer available to be recombined when discharging. Hence the problem if you overcharge a sealed battery, and the valve vents, it will have a reduced capacity. If the safety valve is not working then the battery can exlplode which is what you were risking when it swelled up. BTW, Thanx for the battery offer as I wouldn't mind setting up a solar panel or wind generator myself, however I live near Sydney . > : Happened on one of mine when the alt/reg went , running about 19v for a > : couple of hundred k did it no good :)( now I need a new huge battery) > > What size you need? 100Ahr too small? : > : > The other issue which is a kinda bigone on auto use (Enclosed : > charging) is that a SLAB wont emit [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] : > : > What size you need? 100Ahr too small? I have a 7ahr pair (I use them at 24V that are fused together due to the heat that they built up. Seen a few cracked but only ever once smelt gas. NEVER have I heard of one exploding while under charge, regardless of the voltage that they being charged at. Ive seen and experienced a few Wet cells exploding, which is mainly why we use SLAB's. And the courier fees for a 40Kg battery would outweigh the cost of sourcing in Sydney I'd say. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead-acid_battery scroll down for a picture of an exploded sealed lead acid car battery due to overcharging > : > : > The other issue which is a kinda bigone on auto use (Enclosed > : > charging) is that a SLAB wont emit [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > And the courier fees for a 40Kg battery would outweigh the cost of > sourcing in Sydney I'd say. > : > : >> Then again, Sealed Lead Acids are always a good buy, expensive new though. > : > : [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > What size you need? 100Ahr too small? I have no idea . a falcon battery is quite small in comparison ( remember Jag( : > : > : >> Then again, Sealed Lead Acids are always a good buy, expensive new though. : > : > : [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] : : ( remember Jag( What are you going to be running, what charge rates can you supply and at what cycle (if any) are you drawing that load current? > : > "atec 7 7" <"atec 77 "@hotmail.com> wrote in message > news:h0dj2d$87g$1@news.eternal-september.org... [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > What are you going to be running, what charge rates can you supply and at what cycle (if any) are > you drawing that load current? Well it will be going in the jag , which for 30 of the 31 days each month will sit on a small trickle charger , the other day it will be driven anywhere from 10k to several hundred k... : > : > "atec 7 7" <"atec 77 "@hotmail.com> wrote in message : > news:h0dj2d$87g$1@news.eternal-september.org... [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] : month will sit on a small trickle charger , the other day it will be : driven anywhere from 10k to several hundred k... SLAB not the best for you, starting a Jag wouldnt last it if its compression is any where decent. The plates on the SLABs are too thin, there are more of them and tightly packed for a longer full charge at lower currents. We use them for starting Deisel pumps okay enough, but thats one start a week and the rest of the week they sit on charge. I can get you one to try if you want one, if its no good, lesson learnt for both of us eh. If it does work fine then we can sort something out. > : > "atec 7 7" <"atec 77 "@hotmail.com> wrote in message > news:h0fnk9$bb0$1@news.eternal-september.org... [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > week and the rest of the week they sit on charge. I can get you one to try if you want one, if its > no good, lesson learnt for both of us eh. If it does work fine then we can sort something out. Best email me if you wish and proceed from there .. your average foulcan battery when fully charged can spin it but it doesn't sound to good , almost new starter but I used the huge calcium battery from the toyota last time and it was much better but I can't justify a $250.00 battery for 20 times a year . 4.2l with triple carbs and 10.8:1 compression and big cams :) makes a little over 300hp/ : > : > "atec 7 7" <"atec 77 "@hotmail.com> wrote in message : > news:h0fnk9$bb0$1@news.eternal-september.org... [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] : 4.2l with triple carbs and 10.8:1 compression and big cams :) : makes a little over 300hp/ Well if they start 6cyl NA Deisels weekly they should be okay for you. Ive your email address. BTW A 12Volt 90Ahr should do you okay. Just need to find you one with posts rather than bolts, unless bolts will do you. > : > "atec 7 7" <"atec 77 "@hotmail.com> wrote in message > news:h0ho7m$931$1@news.eternal-september.org... [quoted text clipped - 64 lines] > BTW A 12Volt 90Ahr should do you okay. Just need to find you one with posts rather than bolts, > unless bolts will do you. I will make it fit.. so doesn't really matter.. : > BTW A 12Volt 90Ahr should do you okay. Just need to find you one with posts rather than bolts, : > unless bolts will do you. : > : I will make it fit.. so doesn't really matter.. I'll get you some dimentions first eh. > : > : >> Then again, Sealed Lead Acids are always a good buy, expensive new though. > : > : [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > What size you need? 100Ahr too small? http://www.shieldbatteries.co.uk/better.php?make=JAGUAR&Better=291 needs like a trickle I suppose for maintenance : > If your in SEQld I can recommend a couple of places to go to for expert : > help and reasonable pricing. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] : Could you name the places you have in mind in SEQld please, I'm from : Brisbane. Best I know of is Alco Moss Street Slacks Creek or Australian Battery Suppliers Overlord Place, Acacia Ridge. The guys at Alco are great, can fit anything for you and also stock many other items. They mostly wholesale but do some retail, Craig is the sales bloke to help you out. No, I dont work there ;o) They are one of my battery suppliers. I get heaps from them so and I have had no issues with the products at all. > : > And Kev, thats a bloody good price for a Calcium unit, you mustve scammed > : > that one somewhere ;o) [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > : > Great for "Can I have an airfreshener and a Sub please" but thats about > : > it. Hemmant Auto & Marine electrics Marine Pde Hemmant is where I got them from didn't get any extra special price, the guy said they were a new brand and it's been a great battery, I do a lot of night driving with the highbeams and spotties on plus a lot of sitting with radios etc going for hours ans left the headlights on a few times etc. Kev > Is there any brand of 12V battery that is likely to give a much longer > life, like the original equipment batteries on the two Toyotas that i have > direct knowledge of? How did the size (CCA) compare? |
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