Batteries suck

[Little Ducky]

This reminds me that I need to test my Duracell 31M AGM's this year just to see how they are holding up. I bought them in 2018 so they are going on 5 years.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Daily driver was a 2013 Mustang V-8 for 8 years - what a fun car to drive every day.

Traded to a Jaguar F-Type 2.0 WOW, even MORE FUN every day !!!

Love to flip her into DYNAMIC MODE and open the valve in the exhaust.

Those pops and bangs are exhilarating, as is the whine from the turbo.

There's no column in the accounting equation for that FUN and the SOUND OF THE ENGINE !

at 66 it's likely I'm simply too old school.

BEST !

RWS

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Here we are on the TAIL OF THE DRAGON.

Now THAT was a fun ride

Didn't see any electric cars there.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I'm all AGM. Car and truck have AGM batteries as original equipment. The boat has 5.

Ok not all. The golf cart has 8 6v lead acid batteries.

 

[Maggieiscrazy]

If I could buy everything diesel I would. I will never have anything electric except my power tools and that’s only because I can’t buy them with internal combustion engines lol

I don’t get the guys that just have to have a diesel pickup truck. My brothers Duramax gets 13-14 mpg my 3.5 ecoboost gets 21-22 mpg. Right now gas is $2.75 a gallon diesel is $3.75 a gallon. And I don’t have to put that stupid def in my truck. Now if you’re pulling heavy all the time that’s a different story.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I went diesel trucks for a number of years when I was dragging an enclosed car trailer around to car shows around the country. But for a daily? It's a pain in the keister. Limited islands and they normally share gas and diesel. Never failed when I pulled in to fill up there were gassers using the combo islands even when there were empty gas only islands. Grrrrr. I also didn't like smelling like a diesel mechanic after every fill up either. I'll be long gone before these all ev regulations take effect. Or if not, I probably won't have a driver's license anyway...

 

[Steve S]

So speaking of EVs… a friend has a Tesla for sale for a number of months. Can’t seem to sell it. Over priced? No market? Too old? People worried about the battery?
Thoughts?

 

[Maggieiscrazy]

I have no personal experience with Tesla’s but my buddies wife bought a top of the line Tesla 2 years ago. He said it is by far the best vehicle they have ever owned.

 

[pfin]

I started buying my lead acid batteries from Walmart - I swear they last as long, maybe longer than the better name batteries.

First of all, DieHard is a problem. They used to be be the best, now they are crap.

Best lead acid these days are Duralast from auto zone.

Secondly, as a FORMER supporter of AGMs I finally switched my 7 auto / boat / tractor batteries back to lead acid. I had too many problems and short life with the AGMs. I can get 8 years out of a boat battery, WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE. Even then, I replace them just because, not because they show signs of wearing out.

My classic car battery was replaced last year after 21 years of faithful service.

I supposedly upgraded the lead acid batteries on my last boat from lead acid to AGM at great expense.
As you know you need to upgrade you onboard charger.
The reasons why I did it was the acid was slightly difficult to access for maintenance, but they always lasted (West Marine ) at least 7 years. The switch was not worth it.
My new (used) boat had 5 lead acid batteries that were 6 years old and when the surveyor checked the state of heath and they were all good.
But I changed them anyway.
If you have easy access to check the acid level why waste the money and effort unless you have too much time and money.

 

[GypsmJim]

If you have easy access to check the acid level why waste the money and effort unless you have too much time and money.

With minimal maintenance a LA battery will last 4-5-6 years. Checking the acid level and state-of-charge should give you 8-9-10 years good service. To me that's cost effective, plus the time required is pffft if you have a beer in hand.

 

[Espos4]

With minimal maintenance a LA battery will last 4-5-6 years. Checking the acid level and state-of-charge should give you 8-9-10 years good service. To me that's cost effective, plus the time required is pffft if you have a beer in hand.

checking the acid levels during the heat of the summer is very important. They usually need a bit of water in July and a check again before winter storage.

I just completed my 8th season on battery 1. Battery 2 was replaced 2 years ago.

 

[ttmott]

Life of batteries =
Good charging system including properly functioning engine alternators and multi-stage charger/converter.
Not allowing a lead acid battery system to discharge more than 50%
Making sure the battery system is fully recharged and maintained fully charged.
Clean, maintained wire terminals.
Water/acid level maintained in SLA batteries.

 

[Pirate Lady]

So speaking of EVs… a friend has a Tesla for sale for a number of months. Can’t seem to sell it. Over priced? No market? Too old? People worried about the battery?
Thoughts?

View attachment 155267

I certainly dont mean to dis those that have and enjoy their EV. Spend your money how you want.
I cant find it but I recently read a local article that a lot of local big MD dealers, Sheey, Antwerpen, Koons, etc sent a cosigned letter to the governor to slow down on his implementation of mandatory EV cars in this state. They cant sell EV especially used. Nobody wants them.
I cant find the article. Sorry. Now, if you come back and tell me i am FOS, I WILL find the article. Don’t go there.

 

[GypsmJim]

checking the acid levels during the heat of the summer is very important. They usually need a bit of water in July and a check again before winter storage.

I just completed my 8th season on battery 1. Battery 2 was replaced 2 years ago.

My batteries usually take a couple of ounces once a year, but even then they are no where's near a dangerously low level. If excessive water usage is happening its probably a sign that either the battery is bad, or the charging system isn't right.

Years ago I had a DieHard that boiled over every time the engine was running. I personally checked the electrical system and all was well. Sears would not honor the warranty because the battery "test ed" out OK. A new AutoZone battery solved the problem.

 

[Ericinmich]

So speaking of EVs… a friend has a Tesla for sale for a number of months. Can’t seem to sell it. Over priced? No market? Too old? People worried about the battery?
Thoughts?

The milage isn't stated but that was is a 7 year old EV that stickered for $75k. What 7 year old vehicle is only depreciated by a third? A quick search shows many currently listed for $25k to 35k, so sounds like he's simply just asking too much...

 

[Espos4]

So speaking of EVs… a friend has a Tesla for sale for a number of months. Can’t seem to sell it. Over priced? No market? Too old? People worried about the battery?
Thoughts?

View attachment 155267

My first thought is that it’s overpriced. How much is a new one? Factoring in rebates and discounts??

 

[Blueone]

I don’t get the guys that just have to have a diesel pickup truck. My brothers Duramax gets 13-14 mpg my 3.5 ecoboost gets 21-22 mpg. Right now gas is $2.75 a gallon diesel is $3.75 a gallon. And I don’t have to put that stupid def in my truck. Now if you’re pulling heavy all the time that’s a different story.

My son just sold his Chevy 2500 big diesel 2500 and bought a 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 with the small diesel and he is getting 26mpg….. nice truck too….he has a junk dump trailer business so he felt he needs the diesel.
neat feature it has is if he weighs the truck and trailer empty. And picks up a trailer loaded …the truck will tell him the weight of the junk in the trailer

the 2500 he just sold

 

[Maggieiscrazy]

My son just sold his Chevy 2500 big diesel 2500 and bought a 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 with the small diesel and he is getting 26mph….. nice truck too….he has a junk dump trailer business so he felt he needs the diesel.
neat feature it has is if he weighs the truck and trailer empty. And picks up a trailer loaded …the truck will tell him the weight of the junk in the trailer

the 2500 he just sold

View attachment 155356

26mph? That’s not very fast!

 

[Blueone]

26mph? That’s not very fast!

How do you think he gets great fuel mileage

 

[JvilleJeff78]

And they want us to get EV cars!
I have bitched about batteries on here long time. I got a new Diehard in spring for the boat. Recently I checked volts, its on land winter storage.
The new battery, 8 months old, deader than Kelseys nuts, wont take a charge. Going back with receipt on Saturday to get new.
Batteries suck. Fark Musk, Biden and anyone trying to tell me EV is the future. Fark em.
And if you love your Tesla, go away, I dont wanna hear your lovefest, just don’t.
Cause I can get in my ICE car with 15 gallons of dead dinosaurs in the tank. Without wondering if i got enough charge to get home.

I will buy and drive gas powered vehicles for as long as I possibly can.