Battery Lifespan

[tahoe healey]

My Napa battery just died in 3 1/2 years. The previous Napa battery lasted 9 years. I use a float charger. Napa told me batteries now only last 3 to 5 years. Is this the new normal? Any recommendations other than Optima?

 

[Bob_Spidell]

That's the 'new normal.' I had the same experience with Interstate, which used to be a go-to brand, in my 2008 Mustang. Mike Martinez, owner of Star Auto Electric, specializing in British car starter and generator told me 'All batteries are now made in Mexico' and, in so many words 'They're all crap.' One exception is Deka, made by East Penn manufacturing in Pennsylvania; I've had good luck with them (just bought a Napa brand supposedly made by them). East Penn makes batteries for a lot of different brands, including Napa, so it's disappointing if that battery was indeed made by East Penn. However, companies will source different batteries/brands for different price points, so all Napa batteries may not necessarily be from East Penn (like 'Napa Gold' oil filters are supposedly made by Wix, but aren't necessarily exactly the same as an equivalent Wix).

At any rate, for my BJ8, after having to do the 'baking soda flush' in the boot a couple times I sprung for an AGM (no leaks). It has 800CCA and spins the engine over quite rapidly (I'd rather spend $300 on an AGM than $300 for two cheaper, suspect batteries). I've got two Interstate 6V golf cart batteries in my BN2, and they've held up for a few years (but I don't drive it a lot and keep it on a Battery Minder).

NFI: > East Penn Manufacturing – The world's largest single site, family-owned lead-acid battery manufacturer <

 

[equiprx]

My Napa battery just died in 3 1/2 years. The previous Napa battery lasted 9 years. I use a float charger. Napa told me batteries now only last 3 to 5 years. Is this the new normal? Any recommendations other than Optima?

Been driving since 1965 in about 50 different cars and never had to buy a new battery.
I learned early to make sure the posts and connectors need to be clean and tight.
Top up with distilled water as needed and try not to operate accessories with motor off.

 

[Guido36]

I have had great results with Odyssey batteries - 10 years from the last one, but be sure to use a float/maintenance charger for AGM batteries.

 

[tahoe healey]

So, I got a new NAPA battery today. New warranty is now only 2 years. On the positive side (no pun intended) they had a $20.00 rebate. I have always used a maintenance charger. Napa said I need to drive more. But we get hard winters here.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

... Napa said I need to drive more ...

Parts counter guys are now battery experts? Who'da thunk. I've done a bit of research and, if you believe their pitch, and I do, a 'smart' charger does a better job of maintaining a battery. A good smart charger uses a periodic higher frequency pulse to, supposedly, break-up lead sulfate deposits that form on the plates and settle to the bottom of the battery, which can eventually short out the plates. Yes, if you don't drive your car(s) often they can self-discharge and build sulphate deposits, but smart chargers both charge the battery, maintain a specific 'float charge' and run a desulphation cycle when appropriate. Funny, my dad's '46 Chevy 2-ton truck with a 6V system sits for months at a time, with no charger, and always answers the bell.

Avoid Battery Sulfation with a BatteryMINDer Battery Charger

BatteryMINDers' desulfating battery charger fully charges without ever overcharging, no matter how long left connected, so battery sulfation should never be an issue.

www.batteryminders.com

<Soap box mode: ON>
Batteries are like just about everything in our 'disposable' society: built to a price point to be just good enough so that return/replacement costs don't exceed profit margin. It's a good bet most production was moved to Mexico to cut labor costs and for Mexico's relatively lax environmental laws; lead and concentrated sulfuric acid are pretty nasty stuff (Mexico's starting to wise-up, apparently). Lead plates eventually erode, and it's my observation battery construction has been cheapened overall; I've had quite a few 'leakers' that weren't all my fault (overfilling, bad regulator). That's probably why warranty periods have gotten shorter.
<Soap box mode: OFF>

 

[John Turney]

I also have, use & recommend a BatteryMINDer.

 

[Keoke]

I have had no troubles out of
my Delco sealed units.--+
A Battery Minder. is always used when the car is in the garage..

 

[twas_brillig]

for the last sixty or so years, I've just assumed a five year battery life - either here with winters or down south with heat. Use a couple of different 'smart' chargers to keep the batteries functioning in the vehicles that aren't being driven. And I can't afford to shop at Walmart (yes, this is a simplification): I want value, not 'cheap'.