TiP: Test your battery at home, avoid problems
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,044
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
TiP: Test your battery at home, avoid problems
Once or twice a year i do a cranking test with a voltmeter to make sure the battery is good:
Disconnect center coil wire, ground it.
Crank for 10 seconds while reading voltmeter at the battery. Wait 1-2 minutes, repeat.
New, expect 11+ volts.
Once it gets down to 9 volts or less, get a new battery, before it goes dead on you when you need it!
i get the $29.95 Wal-Mart batteries, don't buy it if there is dust on it, it is too old.
Usually they last 3-5 years, i had one fail after 2 years and it was $15 ex. for a new one. Spend more if you like, but i would rather have a new cheap one, than a 6 year old high price one.
i don't have AAA and i've never needed "assistance"
Have a great weekend
:cheers:
Disconnect center coil wire, ground it.
Crank for 10 seconds while reading voltmeter at the battery. Wait 1-2 minutes, repeat.
New, expect 11+ volts.
Once it gets down to 9 volts or less, get a new battery, before it goes dead on you when you need it!
i get the $29.95 Wal-Mart batteries, don't buy it if there is dust on it, it is too old.
Usually they last 3-5 years, i had one fail after 2 years and it was $15 ex. for a new one. Spend more if you like, but i would rather have a new cheap one, than a 6 year old high price one.
i don't have AAA and i've never needed "assistance"
Have a great weekend
:cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,551
Likes: 0
From: No link, No dupe
Re: TiP: Test your battery at home, avoid problems (drives61)
Sounds like a good idea!:cool:
Are these readings for hot or cold weather? I know that cold weather slows the chemical reaction of the battery, as well as making the engine harder to start. Or, are these readings good year round?
Regarding the Wal-Mart batteries, many of them scored higher than AutoZone, Napa, etc.., according to Consumer Reports, and they are cheaper! :eek:
Are these readings for hot or cold weather? I know that cold weather slows the chemical reaction of the battery, as well as making the engine harder to start. Or, are these readings good year round?
Regarding the Wal-Mart batteries, many of them scored higher than AutoZone, Napa, etc.., according to Consumer Reports, and they are cheaper! :eek:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 13
From: Hollywood, Florida
Re: TiP: Test your battery at home, avoid problems (drives61)
Good point about the Wally World battery. It is hard to get a battery to last more than 2 years in So. Fla. heat, and with there 2 year free replacement policy, you cant really go wrong.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Lake Hughes CA
Re: TiP: Test your battery at home, avoid problems (drives61)
Good advice on batteries. I have more cars than I can drive now (my wife has been unable to drive for over a year due to disabilities) so my dailey driver has been a minivan (olds) :U I try to drive all my others (7 of them) at least every two weeks (three of these are winter 4x4 suv's/trucks). When a car sits for a while, it is very hard on the battery, so I check mine twice a year, after the car has not been driven for at least a week.
As far as brands, there are only like three companies making almost all the batteries now, Johnson Coptrols, GNB, and Delco. 95% of the batteries out there are made by one of these three. I normally buy my batteries at Walmart also, getting the cheapest that will fit. A couple years ago, they were selling relabeled Delco's out here but that did not last long. I have not had a battery from WalMart fail in under three years, including in my GMC 3500 with a 454 that has unbelieve underhood temps.
As far as brands, there are only like three companies making almost all the batteries now, Johnson Coptrols, GNB, and Delco. 95% of the batteries out there are made by one of these three. I normally buy my batteries at Walmart also, getting the cheapest that will fit. A couple years ago, they were selling relabeled Delco's out here but that did not last long. I have not had a battery from WalMart fail in under three years, including in my GMC 3500 with a 454 that has unbelieve underhood temps.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,044
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
Re: TiP: Test your battery at home, avoid problems (shotgun_000)
more tips:
if the car is used rarely or for short trips, charge it before the test.(i keep a charger on a 24 hour timer to avoid overcharging)
Keep a notebook; write down date and voltage; look for trends.
if it is real cold, do it after you return home when it is warmed up. :seeya
if the car is used rarely or for short trips, charge it before the test.(i keep a charger on a 24 hour timer to avoid overcharging)
Keep a notebook; write down date and voltage; look for trends.
if it is real cold, do it after you return home when it is warmed up. :seeya
