12 Volt Battery Replacement

   / 12 Volt Battery Replacement #31  
This was interesting, but... Would anybody care to actually give the brand and type of battery 55B24L(s)-MF replacement you use?

I think that the reason we don't give a specific battery part number is because there are so many, they are somewhat interchangeable, and the specifications for batteries have changed over the years. But the common batteries are all lead & sulphuric acid types. So the variation is in physical size and electrical capacity. As long as the battery is big enough to crank the tractor in cold weather, everything else about the electricals of the battery DO NOT MATTER.

There is no way to avoid looking at battery specs. I wish there were. If you will put the number of the battery you have now and how you like it then I'm sure someone will be kind enough to make up a few recommendations.

What matters is:
1. physically does it fit? The battery "group designation" gives a rough place to start with dimensions. Be sure to include height.
2. Configuration of terminals - get the same configuration so that your existing battery cables & terminals will fit.
3. Electrical: Get at least the same Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) as original; more is always better. CCA in a lead acid battery is basically how much lead has been used for the plates. Although some plate configurations are more energy dense than others - and more expensive to manufacture - the difference is not large. Generally the more CCA the longer the battery will crank before going dead. And the more it weighs.
4. Your tractor can use and charge either a wet cell or AGM type battery and you will never know a difference.

5. Most of us "battery guys" have some sort of science background and more or less agree on these points.
And we have all been leaning heavily toward AGM or "ventless" type batteries in our vehicles over the traditional "wet cells" type that have the caps on the top.

In batteries you pretty much get what you pay for. Good AGMs cost twice what wet cell types do, and last about twice as long. And AGMs don't corrode the terminals.

Good Luck,
rScotty
 
   / 12 Volt Battery Replacement #32  
I'm still amazed that the OP, back in 2014, only got 2 years out of a Kubota battery. Mine have always lasted a minimum of 7 and some as many as 10.
 
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Reactions: JWR
   / 12 Volt Battery Replacement #33  
I'm still amazed that the OP, back in 2014, only got 2 years out of a Kubota battery. Mine have always lasted a minimum of 7 and some as many as 10.

Mine too. They do last....but unfortunately they are vented wet cell types. Add the vibration of a tractor and the whole area around the battery suffers from fume and acid corrosion. Not just the terminals, but I actually had the negative wire corrode away inside the insulation for a couple of inches. I've cleaned them several times, replaced both terminals, and re-paint coated the box

I'll bet you his battery was fine and the problem was terminal/cable corrosion.

Finally replaced mine this last year (14 years!) and went to a group 24 sealed AGM type. I'm done with cheap wet cell batteries. No more corrosion in our future.
rScotty
 
   / 12 Volt Battery Replacement #34  
Try costco

I've had good luck with my K batteries...other than the one I killed leaving the ignition key on. Decent prices too.
 
   / 12 Volt Battery Replacement #35  
Mine too. They do last....but unfortunately they are vented wet cell types. Add the vibration of a tractor and the whole area around the battery suffers from fume and acid corrosion. Not just the terminals, but I actually had the negative wire corrode away inside the insulation for a couple of inches. I've cleaned them several times, replaced both terminals, and re-paint coated the box

I'll bet you his battery was fine and the problem was terminal/cable corrosion.

Finally replaced mine this last year (14 years!) and went to a group 24 sealed AGM type. I'm done with cheap wet cell batteries. No more corrosion in our future.
rScotty
recently replaced my original after 13yrs. unfortunately, the replacement has removable cell inspection plates. as mentioned above, acid weeps onto the tray even after removing some fluid. So for ag work, get a sealed battery. guess i'll have to replace mine, no point in flushing tray w/water after every use.
 
   / 12 Volt Battery Replacement #36  
Here's a next to useless comment, but FWIW, I bought a used L3400 about 6-7 years ago. It came with a battery that looked like it had been in there a couple of years, at least. All I know is that it's a NAPA premium battery, and it's still going strong. That'll be my choice when it finally needs replacement. I have a voltmeter that tells me what my alternator is doing, and I do keep the terminals clean and protected.
 
   / 12 Volt Battery Replacement #37  
L3940 changed it last year, Went to Orileys bought there best battery higher CA great warranty, Been working great even in colder weather
 

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