Battery Life

After a couple of weeks dormant my 300tdi struggled to start as if the battery was flat, it has an Optima red top which was purchased in feb 05 so is well over 6 years old, I know the battery charges ok because its fine when used every few days.
Is 6.5 years a good innings for one of these battery's ? or could it be something else.
Also I did notice it was not quite so keen as usual last winter on the really cold days and that was using it daily, so am wondering if the battery it on the way out.

cheers
Mark,

mark g said:

After a couple of weeks dormant my 300tdi struggled to start as if the battery was flat, it has an Optima red top which was purchased in feb 05 so is well over 6 years old, I know the battery charges ok because its fine when used every few days.
Is 6.5 years a good innings for one of these battery's ? or could it be something else.
Also I did notice it was not quite so keen as usual last winter on the really cold days and that was using it daily, so am wondering if the battery it on the way out.

cheers
Mark,

Click to expand...

5 years is very good, anything more is a bonus

If it's any use, have experienced some similar symptoms with my 200TDi powered 90.

Haven't checked the battery since purchase in May - but given the age of the vehicle (1988) I'm guessing it will have had at least one or two replacements.

All is well when frequently used - but it struggled for cranking amps last weekend after being neglected for a 2 week period which I hadn't subjected it to before. After a 50 minute drive with some steady motorway miles the battery meter had perked up and re-start was fine.

I'm assuming the installed battery is relatively modern and experience on other cars tells me it's time to get a new one before the temperatures start dropping. As the last kindly AA man I had to call out advised "With modern batteries, that was your warning. You get a couple of slow starts and that's it."

I'll be pulling the old one out and shopping for a new one this weekend.

I'd get it changed, it won't make it through the winter.

I had an Exide Maxima that lasted only 2-years 2-weeks (the 2-week bit was important as that took it over the warranty!) whereas my current OE lead-acid is now on 6-years plus and holding charge & delivering current perfectly.

My landy battery is 5 years old and is still going strong although my landy spends most of its time stood up doing nothing. My astra battery is 8 years old and the car is used 6 days a week. A decent quality battery will often last 5 plus years. A rubbish battery can often fail within a couple of years.

As I only use mine at the weekend, use a solar charger to keep the battery topped up - seems to do the trick:

12v 4 Watt W Solar Panel Fold Up Briefcase Battery: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

A reasonable precaution for £15?

Station House said:

As I only use mine at the weekend, use a solar charger to keep the battery topped up - seems to do the trick:

12v 4 Watt W Solar Panel Fold Up Briefcase Battery: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

A reasonable precaution for £15?

Click to expand...

I use a 4 watt one in mine too.

Ok, decision made. A new battery it will be then.
Mark,

Station House said:

As I only use mine at the weekend, use a solar charger to keep the battery topped up - seems to do the trick:

12v 4 Watt W Solar Panel Fold Up Briefcase Battery: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

A reasonable precaution for £15?

Click to expand...

Great idea if we ever get any fookin sun!

mick the builder said:

Great idea if we ever get any fookin sun!

Click to expand...

Fair point Mick, here in Fife I get excited if it climbs over 14 degrees

Seems to work in just daylight rather than needing sun - not tested the current output to see how much it pumps out on a cloudy day compared to a bright one, but had it almost a year now and been pleased with it - and certainly easier than running an accumate from the mains

OK - new battery in. Wallet £100 lighter.

Given the somewhat 'al fresco' nature of the battery compartment, my next thought was to get some insulation. With recent winter weather (and even a 'normal' mild winter) I'm guessing the pulling cranking amps out when it's been sat at under 5C for any length of time - or -5C isn't going to be favourite.

I've only seen this previously on a Golf VR6 - where having squeezed in the 3 litre V6, there is precious little room so the battery is inside a reflective bag to protect it from the radiant heat.

Found this: Heatshield Battery Protector Insulation Wrap - 320mm x 1375mm

£43 seems a bit strong for a cool bag with some tin-foil on it. Anyone seen anything more reasonable ready-made? Could get a sheet of the that spongy stuff with the foil on you can put behind radiators and fashion one myself - but too much of a risk that will just act like a sponge and the batter will end up sitting in a soggy blanket.

An interesting idea, but shouldn't be necessary

Whether under the seat or in an engine bay, battery is going to get cold

Mine cranked just fine at -22 degrees winter just gone - keeping earths clean and tight, same for battery terminals and trickle charged if not used daily is the key

Thanks. A -22C start sounds promising.

Battery blanket shouldn't be necessary - but surely can't hurt to keep the worst of the frost out can it?

Solar charger and trickle top-ups are the obvious solution. Unfortunately the (north facing) location I have to park in prohibits both from being a realistic option. Might well still give the solar briefcase a go - although I don't expect much joy, especially in the winter months.

I've taken the precaution of disconnecting the permanent live from the back of the stereo. With the aged dashboard layout, that's conveniently just sat in a loose chassis just atop the cigarette lighter area.

So it should now just be the clock that's drawing any current whilst the vehicle's stood doing nothing.

As long as daylight is hitting the windscreen, the briefcase charger will work

really doesn't seem to need 'sun' - rarely see it up here anyway!

Mine is parked beside a garage, facing a wall and overshadowed by trees and the charger still works

I don't sell the things - but would recommend getting one off Amazon - if it doesn't work for you, return it!

Sold!

Station House said:

As long as daylight is hitting the windscreen, the briefcase charger will work

really doesn't seem to need 'sun' - rarely see it up here anyway!

Mine is parked beside a garage, facing a wall and overshadowed by trees and the charger still works

I don't sell the things - but would recommend getting one off Amazon - if it doesn't work for you, return it!

Click to expand...

Mine's mounted well away from the windows on my rear bulkhead between the second row seats and the luggage compartment and still keeps by battery topped up fine.