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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: grafy82 on June 28, 2014, 08:37:14 PM

Title: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: grafy82 on June 28, 2014, 08:37:14 PM
Well, as the weather started cooling up a bit, I knew it wouldn't be too far off. The starter battery in the 80 series had been sluggish for the past couple of months. I had always kept the demi water topped up,  I tried a dose of inox (which I had already done on purchase of the battery as well) and multiple long charges on the multi stage  house charger but this morning it finally died. Purchased on the 26/4/11, it gave me just over 3 years.
    I always liked the idea of being able to maintain and top up the water on the battery, but this morning while looking through the shop I found a Supercharge silver series maintenance free jobbie at a great price and 30 months replacement warranty, so took this option.
    They say that these days you're lucky to get 2 years from a battery, but then you here reports from some that say they got 8 years from their last one. So what are Swaggers experiences when it comes to starting batteries. Have I just ballsed-up buying a maintenance free type. What life do you get and what, if any, maintenance do you do to delay the inevitable?
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: muzza01 on June 28, 2014, 08:46:09 PM
2 years??? You can shove that.
3 years. That's crap
4 years not happy
5 years mmmm
6 years happy
7 years over the moon
8 years really???
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: Landyline on June 28, 2014, 09:00:05 PM
Got 5 years for the Corolla's original battery and the same for the Supercharge in the Discovery. Both of those cars are gone now.
Pajero has 1 year but when it fails I was thinking an Optima yellow top as it only has the one battery.

The Supercharge is now running an electric fence on solar. Don't think it would reliably start a car though.
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: Mace on June 28, 2014, 09:04:06 PM
Three years battery life in southern climates would be the average.
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: grafy82 on June 28, 2014, 09:30:47 PM
Yep, my uncle got 8 years out of a battery in his 80 series after he put a large square head funnel just up under the bullbar and a flexible hose running up to the battery tray to direct constant, cool air to it. Then the old neighbour next door (who always likes to have a laugh at me when I'm under the bonnet) leans over the fence and said he got 8years out of the little battery in his Charade. Makes me jealous.
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: lino6 on June 28, 2014, 09:31:09 PM
I got 2 Marshall batteries in 08, 1 for the diesel Rodeo and 1 for the petrol Rodeo. When we traded the Petrol in on the DMax I took it out an put a 60 dollar KMart special in it to trade. The battery then went into the tractor that gets SFA use. That died this year so got a good run out of it considering the last nearly 4 years of use. The one in the diesel Rodeo is still going great.
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: Hairs on June 29, 2014, 08:27:48 AM
The battery that was in the cruiser when I bought it lasted 8 years(Previous owner has all records of work done), 3 years of those I got out of it, the next 2 batteries didn't even last two years each.
This century has lasted over 2 years now  ;D
 
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: Patr80l on June 29, 2014, 10:35:32 AM
I had my 80 Series for 14 years from new and replaced the starting battery only once.   I cant remember exactly when that was but it was well into the second half of that time period.   The auxiliary battery was a different matter.   It was replaced every couple of years, but it would frequently be run flat (<10V) as I kept the fridge running all the time.
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: fuji on June 29, 2014, 12:19:07 PM
10 years on the Prado, so japanese batteries are okay.
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: grafy82 on June 29, 2014, 03:11:15 PM
Well it would seem that the original battery in the cruiser was the best judging by the responses so far. The battery that my uncle got 8 years out of was also the original that came with his 80 series. I can just imagine Mr. Toyota, "genuine battery, yes we can get those in. That'll be $726.00 please". ::)
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: ATC on June 29, 2014, 04:24:10 PM
Well it would seem that the original battery in the cruiser was the best judging by the responses so far. The battery that my uncle got 8 years out of was also the original that came with his 80 series. I can just imagine Mr. Toyota, "genuine battery, yes we can get those in. That'll be $726.00 please". ::)

+GST
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: Coiled on June 29, 2014, 05:38:14 PM
I generally get at least 5 years out of my batteries. All I do is every 3-6 months set them up on one of my Ctek Chargers for a few days and otherwise use as normal.

The longest is current batteries currently in service is my motorbike (2008 Yamaha) and still on its original battery.
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: Garfish on June 29, 2014, 07:20:10 PM
Well it would seem that the original battery in the cruiser was the best judging by the responses so far. The battery that my uncle got 8 years out of was also the original that came with his 80 series. I can just imagine Mr. Toyota, "genuine battery, yes we can get those in. That'll be $726.00 please". ::)

And only $150 to fit
Title: Re: Starting batteries (that won't start)
Post by: Hews on June 29, 2014, 07:58:14 PM
2 years??? You can shove that.
3 years. That's crap
4 years not happy
5 years mmmm
6 years happy
7 years over the moon
8 years really???

X 2

Would hope for at least 5 years but depends how you treat them. If you discharge it too often(or flatten battery) won't last long. Wifes Land Rover still on original battery - 6 n half years. Prado is up to 3 years.

Worst I've ever had was 2.5 years from a falcon ute - but I drained it a few time using the stereo while camping