quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
Oops I posted before I saw your above reply. It's unbelievable you got nine years on that battery. I'd call that a Sigforum or possibly a world record. Ha !

A couple years back I had to do a new battery in one of vehicles. 12 years on a Everstart.

I only buy Walmart batteries.

The battery in my truck is from 2012. No problems so far.

My old `97 F-250 went 12 years before the factory battery started to fail. The guy at the battery shop could barely believe it.

When you all change your own batteries, how do you keep a charge throughout the car's electronics to maintain its 'learning', radio stations, etc.?

Some battery tend/maintainers can be used, but most require sensing 3V or they shut down.

I don't bother.

Takes me a few seconds to reset the clock and radio stations, and the truck "learns" within a few minutes of driving. (disconnect to clean terminals every few years)

2010 Ford F-150 with 226k, and I am on the second replaced battery two weeks ago. OEM lasted 3 years, this last one, 11 years.

Mine is an '04 and the radio stations and clock hold their memory while the battery is out.

12 volt batteries are actually 12.6 volt batteries. Here is a trick if you don't have a hydrometer or load tester. Disconnect battery terminal. Charge the battery until it's fully charged. It will read about 13 volts immediately after charging. Let it sit overnight and it should read at least 12.6. If it doesn't, it's gone downhill.

Absolutely a battery can show 12 volts but it has a weak cell or 2 and as soon as a load is applied it will fall out flat as a pancake.... Even if vehicle has a dash mounted ampmeter (and not a idiot light marker) showing that the alternator is sending out a charging if the battery is faulty then it is time to repair and or replace. .................. drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
When you all change your own batteries, how do you keep a charge throughout the car's electronics to maintain its 'learning', radio stations, etc.?

There are tools that plug into a cigarette lighter/ 12v power receptacle that take a 9v battery. That supplies enough voltage to maintain the memory for the radio.

I made one up from a old phone charger cord and a 9v battery connector. Just make sure you have the polarity correct.

Well, a few years back, my vehicle started having problems starting. Had to either jump it, or put on battery charger overnight.
Got the battery tested, showed it was still good on the charge. I insisted on replacing the battery, as I could tell, while under load it wasn’t enough to start it. Replaced it, and my problem went away. So, yeah, I would say it could show fine but not to actually crank it to start.