Batteries...new or used...input appreciated

[Mark_88]

I just read another post about questionable battery function and was going to post in that but thought I would put it to the general population for input.

Simple enough...there is a great Tech Article on batteries for anyone who doesn't have enough information floating in their gray matter already...

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Fall2008/truck_batteries.htm

So this is simply do you or don't you and your experience...good or not.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The last few years I've bought "refurbished" batteries from a local "Battery Doctor". They have a 1 year warranty and cost about 2/3 of new. I just bought one for my ranger and it cost me $C80.00. I believe it was ~750 cold cranking amps.

 

[RonD]

If you have a manual transmission then battery is important, but push(bump) start is an option.
With Automatics battery must be reliable.

New battery lasts 5 to 7 years, I only get new batteries now

You can test used battery for age, 12.5v 2 to 3 years old, 12.3v about 5 years old, they also often have Date Sold on top label

Refurbished batteries are usually good for 2 to 4 years, really depends on what they did to "refurbish it", like automatic transmission rebuild
The demise of refurbished batteries is usually an internal short, the plates deteriorate over time and debris builds up at the bottom of the battery, if this debris shorts two plates together the battery self-drains.
i.e. battery starts engine OK but after sitting for a few hours it doesn't, charges OK, but No Start the next morning.
Unhook 1 battery cable and put volt meter on battery, watch voltage, if it is slowly dropping, even slightly, you have an internal short

Car batteries store energy via chemical reactions, these chemicals get used up over time, so batteries wear out.
You can test battery voltage, after it sits for a few hours, 12.3v is a lower limit of what you want to see.
At 12.2v, or lower, the battery won't be able to start engine on a cold morning/evening
The chemical reaction that releases AMPS slows down as temperature drops, so 12.2v battery can start engine at 65degF but probably can't start engine at 45degF
This, of course, is why you often need to replace a battery in the winter, older battery was fine in warmer weather, as temp dropped so did the available AMPS

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The battery in my Ranger is an Interstate that timed out in storage. Steeply discounted (I think like $40)

It is a MT-34, 700CCA battery. It has been rolling over that 302 for 5 years now.

Not really new, not really used and the same price as a JY battery.

 

[Doofy]

Last battery I bought was a Optima Red Top. Never again! In this case, it didn't last as long as a battery 1/3 the cost. Now, I just keep a trickle charger on it 24-7. Early demise was probably my fault. I don't drive it often enough.

The first time the battery was dead from sitting, I installed a battery disconnect switch. Problem solved for about 3 years. Now that winter is here again battery is dying again even when disconnected. Time for a new one.

 

[Blown]

New
Walmart has a 5 year battery with 3 years full replacement for a little over $100

 

[AzLizard]

Paid $35 for a refurbished and it lasted in the wife's daily almost 4 years.
But if I csn I usually buy new.

 

[adsm08]

I don't screw with used batteries. That being said, I also put off the purchase of a battery as long as I can. If they die I trickle charge them for a day or more, on a charger with automatic shut-off. I pretty much won't buy one until I charge it for a day and it still won't start the engine even once.

 

[Doofy]

I find it hard to walk sometimes because of my tight ass too. Nothing is made to last anymore. Sad, just a sign of the times I guess. I run a sealed NAPA 1amp trickle charger.

I did try a small solar charger on the 4-wheeler battery last winter and it completely fried the battery without losing any water. Odd thing.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

For awhile I was only buying new batteries from Wal-mart. I'd get the three-year free replacement batteries. Problem was, they were dying in the free replacement period. Had one in a truck that was only around 6 months old and I drove the truck probably 3 times a week (not for a 5 minute hop to the corner or anything either). Went out and the battery wouldn't start it. Tried to jump start it to no avail. Pulled it and took it back and when I set it on the counter it suddenly dawned on me what the problem was.... it had frozen solid.

The last one of those that I still had kicking around here died a couple years ago in the free replacement. I think it made it a year and a half or so. Wally world refused to replace it since they had replaced it once before. I complained to management and to the battery manufacturer. My argument was that if it's a 3 year free replacement, it ought to last at least 3 years. They finally coughed up a replacement and so far it's been holding up. It's the first one to make it out of the free replacement period.

I bought a couple junkyard batteries. For $20 bucks a pop at the time, it was worth it.

I've bought new batteries that sat on the shelf too long for a discount. They usually work just fine. Bad thing is, the warranty is cut.

I try hard to avoid paying full price for a battery anymore, but if I have to, I will.

 

[JoshT]

Only new for me. Unfortunately everything I own now is an automatic, so push starting isn't an option. Even if it was a manual it can be difficult to push start by your self on flat ground. I've also seen weak batteries cause problems with other vehicle electronics. While I don't like the cost of new batteries, it's worth the added price to me.

 

[Curious Hound]

I won't use a battery in my vehicle that I don't trust. And I don't trust a battery whose history I don't know. So, no, I won't buy a used or refurbished battery.

With that being said, my wife's uncle gets a deal on out-of-date batteries somewhere when he needs them. he'll use them in whatever needs one and he doesn't pay attention to what model or class of battery the vehicle or machine needs. MOST of the time, he gets away with it. occasionally, it doesn't work - he either gets one that's a dud or is trying to use one that is not suitable for the application. Then he refuses to believe it's not the battery's fault that the machine (tractor, backhoe, skidsteer, welder, etc.) won't start. Those are the days I get frustrated.

This past spring, I bought a brand new tractor battery for our Ford 6610 that we bush-hog with. That was pricey. But it starts every time now without the "jump box". I also re-wired the battery cables so the red one is positive and the black one is ground. It's much less confusing now - and, yes, that tractor does run a negative ground.

 

[Doofy]

There are new digital battery testers now that give more info and even predictions on the longevity of the battery. They perform resistance ad conductance tests that can determine the condition of the internal plates and connections. They can also test starting and charging systems. The one I am considering is the SOLAR BA9. It tests all types of automotive batteries on the market today. $68 on Amazon.

Just reading about testing your batteries in Handyman magazine. Not a sales pitch!

 

[wildbill23c]

New batteries only. If I'm going to buy a battery I sure as hell am not going to fork out the money on a used battery, rebuilt?...yeah umm well I've seen rebuilt stuff and if you get a year out of it you are lucky so I'll spend a bit more money and get something that has several years of a warranty. The battery in my Bronco 2 is a 2012 battery, seems to be doing fine. The battery in my other truck is actually 8 years old and I've never changed the battery its the battery that was in the truck when I bought the truck new 8 years ago...kind of seeing how long it will last.

 

[Andy D]

I don't screw with used batteries. That being said, I also put off the purchase of a battery as long as I can. If they die I trickle charge them for a day or more, on a charger with automatic shut-off. I pretty much won't buy one until I charge it for a day and it still won't start the engine even once.

The Rat isn't a daily driver and the Value Craft I bought from AZ has been flattened many times in its 5 yrs. I hoping my son saved the battery when he junked his CRV