TUG BATTERIES (Take 2)

Dougwe · Chief one feather

TUG BATTERIES (Take 2)

Radar · Guru

Hi Dougwe.

Just towards mid 2019, our 2014 car battery died, interesting the battery was a 2013 making it clearly 6 years old. Going overseas for 2 to 3 months, I would check the voltage before starting on returning home, I am a monster with the multi meter, 12.8 ever so slowly over the years down, down it went to 12. 4 volts then the afternoon the Accountant wanted to go out for dinner it failed. It was not good, she kept saying, you knew it was failing in squealing tones.

On other occasions I have had some success with Lion Batteries, particularly with our Subaru Out back and a Peugeot both cars have a small batteries and Lion supply the best I was able to obtain and gave good service until the cars left us.

Now this time with the Nissan and a big battery, at first it was about 12.78 but after 12 months it's now resting at 12.6volts.

My friendly motoring family all agree European made cars come with superior grade batteries then we can source here and

I thought I was buying quality.

Best of luck Dougwe, but really if I get 3 years out of this one, next owner can replace it.

-- Edited by Radar on Sunday 16th of February 2020 10:12:49 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

I always replace the battery every 4 years, amortised over 4 years it's not much per year. Couldn't be stuffed mucking about over a few dollars.

Last battery I stuck in the Land Rover was a Varta Silver F18 (2.0L petrol engine). Land Rovers have a stupid amount of electronics so I don't want to stick some no name battery in it if I can help it.

blaze · Guru

I can hear them now doug
get a lithium biggrin biggrin

cheers

blaze

Kebbin · Guru

Yuasa Ultra Power Series 810cca 30 mths warranty I've had 7years plus out of Yuasa batteries in my vehicles and with the extra 6 mths warranty on this battery it looks the goods.

valiant81 · Guru

Hi all; Dougwe, I have a 95 Pajero with the 2.8 Ltr diesel and have had that 4x4 for over 10 years now. As for the batteries, The main battery is a Super charge TMN 707Z that is coming up on 4 years old now and is rated at CCA680 ( short circuit amps ) over the years i have never had problems with the Pajero not starting, even with a couple of faulty glow plugs, has happened.

The Auxiliary battery is a AC Delco agm and this runs the fridge and my ham radio gear and is also charged through a 130 Amp VSR ( voltage controlled relay ) this setup works for me an if i ever have a problem starting i can jump start of the auxiliary battery.

One thing i do do during the winter months is a couple of time when not in use ( i also have a AU ford as well as the wife's car as the pajero is mainly used to pull our caravan around ) is to put the battery on charge overnight.

iana · Guru

Funny thing, but I had the same thing, except I left the keys in the ignition ? diesel!. When I found out I had left the keys in I didn't worry as there was no ignition, but forgot the computer is being powered. Result flat battery.
Our battery is the same, and about the same age. Its pretty important to have your battery always at full charge. Just starting and then partly charging the battery is not good, you need to go for a long drive, or else invest in a smart charger.
When I was working, I used to have a couple of chargers that ran a reconditioning cycle, doing this may bring life back to the battery. To days low or zero maintenance batteries must be charged carefully, so not to boil away the electrolyte, this is why the el-cheapo battery chargers are no good.
Interestinly enough, I have a DC-DC charger fitted, it has a solar input, now if I had installed a solar panel on the ute, the Dc-Dc charger will charge the batteries depending on priority, so a flat starting battery would then be charged up by the sun.

-- Edited by iana on Monday 17th of February 2020 11:10:16 AM

dazz49 · Senior Member

REUG BATTERIES (Take 2)

Cadpete · Guru

RE: TUG BATTERIES (Take 2)

Possum3 · Guru

Further to Iana's idea consider a small solar charger similar to www.amazon.com.au/12V-Solar-Battery-Charger-Maintainer/dp/B07K7311XF/ref=asc_df_B07K7311XF/
I used to use one on my Rolls to keep battery charged when I wasn't using it - sorry but I gave it to new owner when I sold it.

outlaw40 · Guru

iana I don't think that's 100% correct. Could be totally wrong but assuming your dcdc charger is powered via the cranking battery then surely the solar being fed to said dcdc charger would only go to the auxiliary battery. That's how mine works anyway .

iana · Guru

Intervolt DC-DC charger does look at both batteries.

outlaw40 · Guru

No worries just thought you may be expecting it to do something it didnt . will have to keep that unit in mind when i change the projecta

Craig1 · Guru

Chief, come up to Albury for a drive and see Bockman Batteries in Hume St( old hwy), or ring 1st. They are a long established business and seem to know their stuff. No affiliation at all, just good service for past 30 odd years.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thanks everyone for your replied. I have sorted it now. Read on.

Craig, I spoke with them and they suggested I go with the same flavour I have now. Sadly, they were $80 dearer than the other six places I spoke with.

So, after being told by three places to go with the same I rang two local Holden Dealers, one wanted to charge $34 to fit and the other offered to fit free. I went with them in the end and had a AC Delco fitted. Worth giving them a second chance. Battery price was the same at both dealers.

Benalla Holden, friendly, helpful and quick service.

Radar · Guru

Good out come. We could have celebration in 4 years time then.

patrol03 · Senior Member

I guess there will be movement around the campfire tonite Doug and a little smoke from the pipe?

Craig1 · Guru

G'day Doug, shame about Bockmans, when I bought my caravan battery last year they were the cheapest of anyone. On another note however, will the Colorado now be known as the " Great Indian Wall" ? following sad demise of Holden