Battery

[Tulecreeper]

So I just picked up this noco jump starter, it says "safely jump start dead batteries on most gas vehicles up to 6 liters" so I bought it. Opened it up and the fine print says "only use on lead acid battery chemistry"

Is that something I need to take seriously? And what chemistry do I have in a stock 5th gen, I thought we moved away from lead acid years ago?

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B015TKUPIC/

Flooded cell, AGM, and Gel Cell are all considered "lead acid" batteries. The all take slightly different charging rates, but your jump starter should be fine for any of them for your purpose.

 

[HEMIMANN]

I have an Odyssey AG in the Ram. I decided to let 'er go as long as it will go, even if it strands me. I don't know how AGM batteries fail - do they suddenly fail to start? Or give signs of weakness 1st? Do you test every month after 5 years old? Other?

That said, wife's Mazda is 4 years old and has a conventional flooded battery from the factory (made in Japan). I've read the battery is a top quality Panasonic that isn't sold in the U.S. US battery makers say the average life (depending on regional climate) is 3-5 years for a flooded, but Panasonics last longer.

Both of these are on C-Tek battery chargers/maintainers when vehicles aren't used every day. This alone helps them last longer.

Any thoughts?

For your time, I decided to contact Interstate Battery to ask if there are physical or quality differences between Costco and Branded Store outlets, since the price is nearly double at the Stores (they install for no extra charge, Costco does not). It is also a fact that Interstate is a brand, not a manufacturer, and they multi-source today, pulling from Clarios-Mexico (former Johns Controls-Milwaukee), some place in South Korea, and Varta in Germany. There are substantial quality differences, Varta is top quality, Clarios is so-so but improved since when JC 1st moved out of Milwaukee, but the Korea batteries are reported to be unreliable.

Here is the direct email reply:

Customer Service
8:22 AM (1 hour ago)
to me, Customer

Good morning,

Thank you for contacting the home office of Interstate Batteries, Inc. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused, the batteries that are sold at Costco and our dealers are the same battery. The two differences with the batteries would if you choose to purchase through Costco you would have to have a Costco membership, and the warranty is handled by Costco and does differ from the Interstate Batteries warranty.

Thank you,



Jolynda Luing

Customer Service

P: 866.884.4635 ext 7317 F: 855.797.4886

[email protected]

 

[BWL]

I got just shy of 8 years. Had to boost it once before I replaced it last month with an agm

 

[sdeeter19555]

I got just shy of 8 years. Had to boost it once before I replaced it last month with an agm

I just swapped out the battery on our 19 (18 build) but that battery was still technically working fine. We have a trip planned and didn't want a surprise.

I went AGM also.

 

[barr0208]

Your battery has lasted longer than the average 4 years. You're doing well. You might be on borrowed time. If you want to be safe go ahead and replace it. And by the way the 14.9 volts while driving is the alternator charging voltage - not the battery voltage so don't go by that. If you want to know your battery voltage measure it with a voltmeter when the vehicle is turned off. It should be above 12 volts minimum if properly charged and healthy. Another thought - if you're really getting 14.9 volts while running confirm that with an actual volt meter as well - that's a little high should be more like 14.3 volts. Your regulator may be not quite doing the job it should be. But don't panic. Best of luck and happy holidays!

not according to my ram dealer been having problems with batteries 4 of them in one year the service guy says 14.7 to 14.9 volt charging is ok