How long show a battery last?

My battery is now approaching 8 years old and has started to go flat on a regular basis - ever since installing my roof lights. After a couple of days of no running, without ever using the light, the battery will be flat. Is it time to replace it? It's been in the Disco since new.

probably yes. but if yu haven't used the lights then it shouldn't have affected the battery

I,d be tempted to go back over your light installation, as it seems a bit of a coincidence that its ben going flat since this work.

However, at 8 years old I wouldnt be too dissapionted if I had to change the battery.

( I had an new one on T5 VW van after 12 months ).

Del.

Leaving aside any recent wiring problems, 8yrs for a decent quality battery is fair enough I reckon. Time to go and get another.

Why not take it back and ask for a replacement? Only 8 years old? Yer can't get quality stuff anymore.

Geez Mate, You gotta be happy with getting 8yrs....
Sounds like its time to treat yourself to an OPTIMA Blue Top Battery.....

twodoor said:

Geez Mate, You gotta be happy with getting 8yrs....
Sounds like its time to treat yourself to an OPTIMA Blue Top Battery.....

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Blue Top??????? I've only ever seen red and yellow top Optima batteries.

My bog standard Halfords battery will be 10 in November this year.
Get a good battery to start with and don't forget about it, look after it then it will last longer than you expect.
But saying that my original LR one only lasted 4 years, may say something about the standard of battery they fitted as original equipment back in 1997..

Click the link below for a picture and spec of a blue top Optima battery.
vbat.co.uk - Optima Blue Top Batteries

Hi there, Paddocks do the Red tops cheaper and they have more CCA's

Optima Red Top Starter Battery

thebiglad said:

Blue Top??????? I've only ever seen red and yellow top Optima batteries.

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Ooohhh.... time to google!!!

Basically a hardier version of the yellow. The specs of 900cca, 75ah, 155rc are the same. The internal resistance is less than most batteries at half their output..... A tad heavy as they are lead coiled ...But the blue is a marine rated battery which means high cranking amps and deep cycle capabilibty with an excellent heat resistance, very high vibration resistance, faster recharge, can even be fitted upside down!
The obvious outside difference is the fact it is blue and they have dual SAE posts and 2 stainless studs for accessories to be 'wingnutted' onto.

It is in high usage with the military to start their big generators and to power up items such as aircraft engine starters and missile systems....

Not according to the Vbat site: according to them the Blue top have a CCA of 785 and 50amp/hr, as opposed to the Red top at 815 cca.[/quote]


I Wont bother mentioning scrolling down the page on the Vbat site then.............

Optima blue top come in a number of specs to suit various appllications and if you should scroll down the page or go to the optima site you will see a number (4) of differing spec blue top batteries....

Failing that I shall post a lovely piccy of the spec label on the top of mine..

twodoor said:

Not according to the Vbat site: according to them the Blue top have a CCA of 785 and 50amp/hr, as opposed to the Red top at 815 cca.

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I Wont bother mentioning scrolling down the page on the Vbat site then.............

Optima blue top come in a number of specs to suit various appllications and if you should scroll down the page or go to the optima site you will see a number (4) of differing spec blue top batteries....
..[/quote]

I see what you mean about the Blue lower down, BUT, it is £274 !!!! as opposed to the Red Top available from Paddocks with a similar but non-marine spec for £125+vat.

I see what you mean about the Blue lower down, BUT, it is £274 !!!! as opposed to the Red Top available from Paddocks with a similar but non-marine spec for £125+vat.[/quote]

You are right it is expensive BUT you get what you pay for....

I am happy to pay the extra 'insurance' this battery affords over other batteries... By that I mean the last trip we made up north to a shearing station once we left what constituted a road ( green lane in your comparison)we did just under 800 miles and didn't see another vehicle ( I discount broken down remains but sadely counted 2 burnt out series 1 disco's and a number of jap things). Even on main highways you can do 3 - 400 miles and only see 10 - 15 vehicles...
Also the application will vary as will the location it will be called upon to be used in... And the warranty of red top does not cover any form of deep cycle applications....
Thus negating a number of uses and when it is all so easy not to see a shop for 6hrs, i kinda enjoy the pleasure of a fridge keeping a cold one for me!!!

Also I have been so used to the extra wing nut studded posts, it is almost a pleasure hooking ancil stuff on and off as required.... But again not everyone will require them....

And I just like the idea of buying big and future proofing... plus I can match up with the camper trailer rig!

Hello, I noticed your conversation regarding our batteries and wanted to offer some assistance. D27M & D34M BlueTops are identical internally to their YellowTop counterparts (D27 & D34), while 34M Bluetops are identical internally to their RedTop (Group 34) counterparts. All BlueTops do offer additional threaded top posts for accessories and come with a two-year replacement warranties.

All YellowTops are considered "dual-purpose" batteries, suitable (and warrantied) for both starting and deep-cycle applications. They come with a three-year replacement warranty. In general, batteries designed for deep-cycle use will sacrifice some cranking power, in exchange for additional reserve capacity and deep-cycle capability.

The key to long battery life is making sure your battery always maintains at least 12.4 volts. If it is discharged below that level, recharging as soon as possible will help minimize sulfation, which diminishes battery performance and lifespan. If you have any other questions about our batteries, Please don't hesitate to ask.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries

Only a 2 year warranty?
Thats a bit crap - int it? Even halfrauds offer a 3-5 year warranty.

Be better off getting summat cheaper, caning it and getting it replaced under warranty if it fails.

The Mad Hat Man said:

Only a 2 year warranty?
Thats a bit crap - int it? Even halfrauds offer a 3-5 year warranty.

Be better off getting summat cheaper, caning it and getting it replaced under warranty if it fails.

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Good point... except we are a tad short on Halfords out this way... And I would rather a battery not fail on me as opposed to growing old gracefully!There are vast areas where a recovery won't happen, as it was it took just under 2 weeks to get a battery with spec close to original and a bit to spare.....and not a boil me up lead one as it was!

I take your point, but modern batteries appear to fail suddenly. I dont know if this is a function of "maintenance free" or Calcium batteries? Maybe mr battery man can advise on the failure characteristics of modern batteries. Buying an expensive battery is no guarantee of quality. I would be more inclined to believe that a battery with a 5 year warranty is likely to last longer than one with a two year warrantee. I am not knocking the above manufacturer, but makers dont give warrantees without due thought to the MTBF.
Personally I would go for the highest CCA rated battery i could find, with the longest warranty. If it is as critical as you say, get a second battery, dual charge it so if one fails, you can swap it over until such time as you can replace the dud one.
Critical systems are not duplicated for no reason.

TheMadHatMan said:

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Personally I would go for the highest CCA rated battery i could find, with the longest warranty. If it is as critical as you say, get a second battery, dual charge it so if one fails, you can swap it over until such time as you can replace the dud one.
Critical systems are not duplicated for no reason.

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Excellent suggestion MHT.

The Mad Hat Man, if the length of warranty were the only consideration people made in making purchases, we'd all be driving Kias. The best warranty is the one you never need to use but if you want the extra year, the YellowTop has it. Many companies use warranties as a marketing tool, sometimes reassuring consumers who may not have a great deal of confidence in the quality of a product. Other companies will offer long warranty periods, but begin pro-ration immediately or include a myriad of exclusions for things like batteries that are discharged below 10 volts. If any battery fails because of a manufacturing defect, it is likely to occur well within the first year of ownership.

I don’t know if sudden battery failure is necessarily attributable to a battery issue. One of our engineers has owned a D1 for almost five years and claims they are pretty simple electrically speaking and do not have significant “key-off” loads. He also indicated D2s had more and the latest LR3s have A LOT of key-off loads. The combination of a high key-off load, infrequent use and short trips are a triple whammy for any battery. Daily-driven vehicles tend to have far fewer issues, than vehicles that only see occasional use. The batteries in those vehicles (and boats) tend to not be properly-maintained while in storage, which decreases performance and shortens life.

Cold cranking amps are an important consideration if you live somewhere cold. If you live in a moderate climate, they are not as much of a concern, provided they meet or exceed the OEM specs for an engine. Reserve capacity is an important consideration for vehicles that run significant electrical accessories, including winches, auxiliary lighting, aftermarket stereos and alarms.

You do make an excellent point about redundant systems. If failure is not an option, two isolated batteries are good insurance.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries