7 year old batteries

[Grizzly]

I still have the OEM batteries on my 05, which are now 6 years and 2 months old. A few days ago when our New Mexico temperature hit a low of 10*, my truck cranked over slowly. I didn't have it plugged in.



george

 

[Prairie Dog]

I got rid of my oems last spring just because I didn't want to get stuck out in the boonies someplace. Replacing them fixed an odd problem my truck had (I posted it here).
When it was cold and I would first start the truck, the voltage would pulsate ~ you could see it in the dash lights. It was NOT the grids, you could actually see the lights flicker while the grids were cycling. Changing the batts cured it!

 

[Mark31]

My 100k 04 still has the originals---until the Interstate Battery truck's next trip to my my buddy's shop. The batteries don't spin it over as good as they used to. So I figure why put extra wear on the starter trying to get the last bit of "goodie" out of them? Mark

My batteries were 7 yrs and 3 months when I replaced them. The new Interstates turn it over much faster. It was time. Mark

 

[crobertson1]

In my son's '93, the -15 last weekend may have done in the battery. His lights-all of them- dim drastically when the grids cycle. We tried to start in the other morning without having the block heater pugged in and she wouldn't even come close to cranking enough. We got her jumped, but I think that battery is probably toast. We don't know how old it is, but it's at least 5 years old. Last night he was driving it and the check engine light would come on while the grids were cycling.

 

[scootergmc]

Thanks, kd5eiv. A trip to the local Costco store might reveal whether Johnson makes 'em. I have nothing to go on but what's in my truck now as it begins it 9th Colorado (read cold) winter on the OEM batteries. But there's nothing on the battery to tell me who makes it. It still cranks like crazy, but there's a limit to how long a battery will last.

I have 2 Costco batteries in the garage waiting to be installed. They have no Johnson markings. However, my Consumer Reports magazine indicates Costco (Kirkland) batteries are made by Johnson Control. For $~75 per, and the 36 month 100% warranty, I don't think it can be beat.

 

[KLeach]

I still have the original batterys in my 01. I will let you know if the trucks starts in the am with the temp at 5 degree's.

 

[rbattelle]

Just went and checked the OEM's (now 8 years old and counting). The little green ball is no longer floating and visible in the "window".

A sure sign death is around the corner? I didn't try starting (but will later).

-Ryan

 

[jeepit]

Originals in my 2002... .

 

[Jeremiah]

I am beginning my 9th winter on the OEMs (may they last forever!). I plug in the block heater anytime the temp gets below 20, which is most nights in Colorado's winter. A few nights ago the OAT was -18F. The old '03 still cranks! (May she crank forever!) But I realize the block heater doesn't keep the batteries warm, just the oil, which makes it easier to start. So I'll keep plugging if the heater keeps heating and the truck keeps cranking.

 

[rbattelle]

I started mine up about an hour ago. It started despite the lack of green "eyes".

Decided to put a charger on it for a little while. Turnover is slow, although it's impossible to tell whether that's the ambient temperature or decaying batteries.

-Ryan

 

[AH64ID]

There is no way I would own stock batteries that old, not worth the risk.

 

[MLee]

Are you able to check the water level? My originals were sealed and unable to remove the caps so I drilled a small hole (1/16th use a syringe for adding water) in the cap @ the cell locations and added water. I could see through the case and see the water line. This procedure got me a little more time.

Usually when you can not see the green eye, its low water.

 

[EricBu12]

When plugged in, the water and oil get heated up. . this in turn radiates to the surrounding air. I have a winter front I make and since the OAT sensor is behind the grille, it measured a higher temp than actual OAT.

So if the block is warm, it would seem to be reason that the batteries would be a little warmer than the outside temps as well due to the engine radiating a little heat in the engine compartment,. . Thus making it easier to start let alone the warmth of the engine.

 

[AH64ID]

When plugged in, the water and oil get heated up. . this in turn radiates to the surrounding air. I have a winter front I make and since the OAT sensor is behind the grille, it measured a higher temp than actual OAT.



So if the block is warm, it would seem to be reason that the batteries would be a little warmer than the outside temps as well due to the engine radiating a little heat in the engine compartment,. . Thus making it easier to start let alone the warmth of the engine.

Yeah, when you heat up 1K lbs of cast iron it does radiate some heat. On -5* mornings my truck has said 14*F when I first start it up since there is warm air escaping. That's with a winter front as well.



The block heater actually only heats the coolant, any oil being heated is being heated thru radiation, which is why even when plugged in the oil pressure can take a few seconds to build.