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Post Info TOPIC: Federal Batteries - Starting/Reserve
Salty_Dog


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Federal Batteries - Starting/Reserve
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Can anyone please give me an opinion on a Federal Battery?

We were advised to get one for our AWD by the staff at Battery World

It was a $350 Silver/Calcium Battery

This exact one: http://www.federalbatteries.com.au/649MF/

It has lasted not even 2 years before it failed to start our daily driver 2 weeks ago.

The Battery is still under Warranty, and Battery World took our Vehicle, tested the Vehicle, then Tested the Battery

The Battery failed their Load Test, so BW are negotiating a replacement Battery from the Distributor.

My worry is, do i even want this Battery again? (A Battery that was suggested by them)

It had been slow to crank the car for the passed 3 months, then finally failed to start it on a cold morning.

Vehicle is a BMW X5 3.0 desiel

This from a $350 Silver/Calcium Battery which is 22months old seems unacceptable to me.

I have since secured one of these Batteries, for a very reasonable price:

http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/resources/battery-finder/product/din92l%20agm

But Battery World are still going to honour a new replacement for the Federal Battery

(Well i hope it will be a New Replacement)

 

Our confidence in them has been shaken, and we are reluctant to use the Federal up at the snow fields this year.

Thoughts anyone???

One thing i did notice, is Battery World had NO Federal Batteries in stock, at all, any where

When i asked the Shop Manager "Why don't i see any Federal Batteries in here?"

He had some wishy washy answer that they stop stocking them etc .... Hmmmm you have to wonder why :)



-- Edited by Salty_Dog on Saturday 11th of June 2016 01:43:56 PM



-- Edited by Salty_Dog on Saturday 11th of June 2016 02:36:15 PM

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Mike196


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G'Day SD, you won't go wrong with the Century, good battery-good reputation. The Federal sounds much like the Excide that kept having to be replaced in my wife's car. Eventually replaced it with a Century, and also have a new Century in the Colorado. (original lasted 4 years)

Regards,

 



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Regards,

Mike L.
Peter_n_Margaret


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Salty_Dog wrote:

The Battery failed their Load Test, so BW are negotiating a replacement Battery from the Distributor.

The legal responsibility for warranty is entirely with the retailer.

It matters not what the distributor says.

If they wish to replace it, there is little you can do except to accept that although you might negotiate a partial refund.

 

Cheers,

Peter



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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Salty_Dog


Newbie

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Posts: 4
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Thanks fellas

I am happy that BW are honouring the Warranty, and a little bit surprised to be honest.
Although, in their own words "It Failed the Load Test", even though it passed another computer based test with a full page print out.

The BW Store Manager said a new Battery was coming, i do wonder if it will be a New Battery, or if Federal will refresh the our old Battery.

Ive purchased the Century for $100, so i'm very happy with that.
I guess i'll just keep the Federal as a Second Deep Cycle Battery (even though its not really a proper Deep Cycle Battery)
Or just sell it on Gumtree or eBay

I just struggled to find any information on Federal Batteries online, and i was even suspect when the BW recommend it 22months ago, as it was a Brand i was unfamiliar with.
Seems a reasonable suspicion given our issues and fact that BW longer stock them



-- Edited by Salty_Dog on Saturday 11th of June 2016 06:12:36 PM

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