How long should a car battery last?

derrick

Stoke wrote: »

Wow, yeah the PowerLine looks even cheaper than the Lion. I'm not sure it's sealed either which means technically it's not maintenance free (although that's a buzz term anyway)

You can recondition it using Epsom salts. Have a look online, very straightforward to do. Might last another 6 months, but it's probably on the way out.

It is a sealed battery.

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AdrianC

derrick wrote: »

Read my post again! The replacement would have no warranty and I would not even receive a receipt.

Correct.

Like I said...

AdrianC wrote:

You've already been offered that as a discount off a replacement, with the same warranty as if this one had not failed - and you've refused that.

You currently have a duff battery with no warranty. You would walk away with a new battery with no warranty.

With that in mind I doubt it would even be sent anywhere except recycling.

Indeed. As I read your original post, the offer to return it to the manufacturer for goodwill was based on you buying a new one at retail, which would then be refunded if yours did turn out to have a manufacturing fault, wasn't it? The offer of a reduction was a separate suggestion, a goodwill gesture from the shop.

forgotmyname

derrick wrote: »

It is a sealed battery.

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No it isnt. Sealed for life = dont bother checking the fluid levels because you wont be back to buy another one sooner than you need to.

Imagine sealed for life tyres. Never check them and when they fail through lack of air you replace them. But checking the pressure and inflating it via the valve under the sticker is not advised. WHY? because it will last longer and we wont make any money.

The fill / level caps are under the sticker on the top.

The issue is you let the battery die due to lack of use. The battery was probably fine until you let it die.

Leaving the car for a week unused still draws power. Different cars draw different levels of power. Some have a safety sleep relay but still draws some power.

derrick

AdrianC wrote: »

Correct.

Like I said...

You currently have a duff battery with no warranty. You would walk away with a new battery with no warranty.


.for £25 for what appears to be a rubbish product

Indeed. As I read your original post, the offer to return it to the manufacturer for goodwill was based on you buying a new one at retail, which would then be refunded if yours did turn out to have a manufacturing fault, wasn't it? The offer of a reduction was a separate suggestion, a goodwill gesture from the shop.

I doubt it would be sent back, so that shop sells another battery, albeit cheaper, but I doubt they would be out of pocket, just not as much profit.

Anyway why under those circumstances would I want the same product?

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derrick

forgotmyname wrote: »

No it isnt. Sealed for life = dont bother checking the fluid levels because you wont be back to buy another one sooner than you need to.

Imagine sealed for life tyres. Never check them and when they fail through lack of air you replace them. But checking the pressure and inflating it via the valve under the sticker is not advised. WHY? because it will last longer and we wont make any money.

The fill / level caps are under the sticker on the top.

The issue is you let the battery die due to lack of use. The battery was probably fine until you let it die.

Leaving the car for a week unused still draws power. Different cars draw different levels of power. Some have a safety sleep relay but still draws some power.

Nothing to do with lack of use, just a rubbish battery, my previous one, (can't remember the name but it wasn't branded), lasted about 5 years, actually longer as it was laid up but charged and engine run about every 2-3 months.

I did not "let it die", I have done nothing different in the last 2 years and it started every time.

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Stoke

i think that's a quality thing though. The reason I bought the Excide was because reviews online suggested many had survived repeated discharges, jump starts etc... a better quality battery probably survives more of the abuse. A cheap battery is fine until you put it through the tests, then it'll fail.

derrick

Stoke wrote: »

i think that's a quality thing though. The reason I bought the Excide was because reviews online suggested many had survived repeated discharges, jump starts etc... a better quality battery probably survives more of the abuse. A cheap battery is fine until you put it through the tests, then it'll fail.

Yes I can see that, but it has not got high drain accessories and had never, until recently been flat, a!so the jump start the other day was the first.

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Stoke

derrick wrote: »

Yes I can see that, but it has not got high drain accessories and had never, until recently been flat, a!so the jump start the other day was the first.

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Although I would buy a better battery, I would maybe ensure you've got no parasitic discharges. Also, if you're leaving it for a few days, maybe you could remove the battery terminal? If you do it often, buy a set of quick release battery terminals. An excellent idea imo.

AdrianC

derrick wrote: »

Yes I can see that, but it has not got high drain accessories and had never, until recently been flat, a!so the jump start the other day was the first.

When did the charging voltage drop from the usual 14.4v to the 13.5v you're seeing now?

derrick

Stoke wrote: »

Although I would buy a better battery, I would maybe ensure you've got no parasitic discharges. Also, if you're leaving it for a few days, maybe you could remove the battery terminal? If you do it often, buy a set of quick release battery terminals. An excellent idea imo.

I have used this vehicle and previous battery without problems for over 5 years, the only difference is this rubbish battery.

What are "parasitic discharges? To my knowledge I have none.

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