Battery changes: On a schedule or as needed?

[Crunch]

How is everyone managing their battery changes? I know that both should be replaced at the same time. But should this be done on a set schedule (and if so, what time period), or when they start to fail? I've still got the original batteries, and figured that they should last at least five years, but I've heard talk that they should be changed more often.

 

[Regcabguy]

How is everyone managing their battery changes? I know that both should be replaced at the same time. But should this be done on a set schedule (and if so, what time period), or when they start to fail? I've still got the original batteries, and figured that they should last at least five years, but I've heard talk that they should be changed more often.

I changed out my batteries on my '99@five years and they were still strong. I just figured it was time. I went with Optima Red Tops but they're way too expensive now.

 

[steved]

When I lived and traveled near home, I did it on an "as needed" basis... usually you can tell when a battery is starting to get weak.



Since I do a lot of OTR travel, I will probably do a 5 year thing as most of the DCX batteries I have experienced seem to last about 7 years before dying.



steved

 

[rbattelle]

on an "as needed" basis... usually you can tell when a battery is starting to get weak.

I agree. The funny thing is, in 15 years of owning and operating vehicles I've never had a battery go bad on a vehicle I own! Not only that, but my batteries always seem to have supernatural lifespans (more than 5 years).



Ryan

 

[MMeier]

Just changed out my stockers the other day and put in my red tops. Negative posts were starting to seep a bit. . touch bit over 5 years and 192k hard miles. New record for me, going to keep them on hand and charged in case something else needs a battery.

 

[Motorhead]

I would recommend "amp load" testing on each battery separately. If they are within specs of the battery AND close to equal of each other, run them.
An interval of 5-6 years if they have been well maintained.

 

[betterthanstock]

At the first sign of weakness on a cold morning, or if the green eyes go black or yellow (low level).

 

[nickleinonen]

change them when they start to go bad. .

 

[Tom W]

I agree with "as needed" but watch for transmission issues such as torque converter locking and unlocking.

 

[CPittman]

A 'weak' battery can cause arcing on the starter contacts too. I noticed that the truck was cranking just a little slower than normal and I started smelling rotten eggs in the cab. Passenger-side battery was spewing gas / acid vapor. Wal-Mart fixed me right up with a couple of Maxx-whatevers for about $60 each.

 

[Grumpytrkr]

I load test my batteries every year. I did them this morning, and both are showing around 10 volts after a 15 second load, so I will replace them before it gets to cold out.

 

[hammersley]

My batteries are the originals - March 2000

and they're still running strong... .....

 

[Crunch]

Thanks for the info, everyone. I haven't had any problems yet, and the batteries still look new so I'm going to run with them for a while. I was concerned about a drop in voltage causing the amps to rise and fry the electrical system of everything that was putting a load on the system.

 

[coobie]

batteries

I just replaced both of mine with Dekas. My stock Batts. were 4 years old. Did they need replacement probably not yet but hey beats being stranded on a cold michigan winter night. coobie:-laf

 

[CPittman]

Deka$?! Ouch, that had to hurt... schweet batteries though...

 

[Loren]

I rotate my batteries in the same way a supermarket rotates its milk.



The new truck gets new batteries when one of the oldest ones (not installed in that truck) goes bad. The tractor battery was the last to fail. When that happened, the 2000 Dodge got two new Optima Blue-Tops. The ones from the 2000 Dodge went into the 1995 Dodge. The ones from that truck went into the travel trailer. The trailer batteries were split up and one went into the Toyota truck and the other went into the tractor. Somewhere in this system I'll replace my wife's Toyota Highlander battery, but it's not old enough yet.



When another battery in the system goes bad, the newest truck will get new batteries again.



For what it's worth, my oldest batteries are now Optima Yellow-Tops that were originally installed in the 1995 truck in 1999. I didn't own the 2000 truck then. Those batteries are still doing fine in the tractor and the Toyota. I haven't had an Optima fail yet. (I hope I haven't just jinxed myself. )



At the first hint of a bad battery, test both of them. That's how I discovered the bad battery in the 1995 truck several years ago.



Good luck.



Loren

 

[coobie]

Deka$?! Ouch, that had to hurt... schweet batteries though...

It was not that bad of a price for the Deka,s. I paid $200 for both. coobieOo.

 

[BDeMartile]

In fleet service we were asked to come up with an interval and it came down to every two years it seems as though some will go longer as much as 4 years but the bulk were failing at about 2. 5 years. On my own vehicles I usually get around 5 years so it just depends on my travel plans if im going far away Ill change them at 4.

 

[BGlidewell]

flaky batteries can cause problems on any ECU equipped vehicle. I've seen more than one diesel mechanic change out thousands of dollars in parts only to replace the battery as the last step in trouble shooting. :-laf



I would not go more than three years on a pair myself. There a lot of demands on these batteries with towing RVs etc... YMMV.

 

[betterthanstock]

I would not go more than three years on a pair myself. There a lot of demands on these batteries with towing RVs etc... YMMV.

I learned a while ago that there are two main battery chemistries (we are talking about maintenance free, not deep cycle). The Northern, and the Southern type. Batteries in the south are built with more water, etc, for hot weather. In the north, with different plates, for cold starts.



Usually those in the south die because they run out of water/acid, and in the north because of plates disintegrating/shorting.



My longest OEM car battery went for 7 winters, in the Northwest climate. Then one night, the trunk stayed open (light on), and it died. Had to replace it afterwards.