5030
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2003
- Messages
- 24,729
- Location
- SE Michigan in the middle of nowhere
- Tractor
- Kubota M9000 HDCC3 M9000 HDC
My ongoing philosophy for what it's worth...
First off, we charged flooded cell batteries sitting on a shelf are getting older and weaker as they sit waiting for you to purchase them. Any flooded cell battery (including AGM's) are aging whether they are installed in some application or not. Fact of battery life.
I always buy my batteries from a volume retailer where they aren't sitting on a shelf somewhere, in my case I buy all my jars from a local truck dealership where I know they have a large turnover and that is not brand related either. Currently running Delphi jars and I always fit the largest battery in my tractors and vehicles that will physically fit the battery box.
One thing I always do is, I physically look at any retailers batteries and if they have dust on the top, I run away quick because a dusty jar has been sitting there and it's useable life is draining away waiting...
The other ting I always do when replacing ANY jar is, I trickle charge it prior to installing it to bring it up to 100% static charge before I ever install it, brand is inconsequential.
I always (without fail) make sure the battery terminal clamps are clean and bright before installing and I make sure the ground strap where it connects to the frame is clean and bright as well and I check all the cables to make sure they are not corroded or frayed as well.
One thing I do with the batteries in my tractors that sit all winter is, I install a master disconnect on the NEGATIVE terminal and I isolate them when sitting in the barn so if there is a parasitic loss, the battery never sees it anyway. A full charged battery looses very little charge when sitting, so long as it's isolated from the system. In fact, a properly charged flooded cell battery will loose about 7-10% of it's total cranking amperage per month when it's idle and it's connected to the system.
I have very little battery related issues and never have actually and typically, a jar will last (me) for about 5 years before I replace them. Brand irregardless.
Your mileage and mine may be different but that is how I approach it and finally, when I install a new jar, I always coat the terminals and clamps as well as the ground termination with a proprietary battery compound to prevent oxidation and that includes the connections on the starter (positive and negative) as well.
My tractors have been sleeping all winter but I'm willing to make book on the fact that I can go out in the barn, close the master disconnects on them and they will fire right up.
First off, we charged flooded cell batteries sitting on a shelf are getting older and weaker as they sit waiting for you to purchase them. Any flooded cell battery (including AGM's) are aging whether they are installed in some application or not. Fact of battery life.
I always buy my batteries from a volume retailer where they aren't sitting on a shelf somewhere, in my case I buy all my jars from a local truck dealership where I know they have a large turnover and that is not brand related either. Currently running Delphi jars and I always fit the largest battery in my tractors and vehicles that will physically fit the battery box.
One thing I always do is, I physically look at any retailers batteries and if they have dust on the top, I run away quick because a dusty jar has been sitting there and it's useable life is draining away waiting...
The other ting I always do when replacing ANY jar is, I trickle charge it prior to installing it to bring it up to 100% static charge before I ever install it, brand is inconsequential.
I always (without fail) make sure the battery terminal clamps are clean and bright before installing and I make sure the ground strap where it connects to the frame is clean and bright as well and I check all the cables to make sure they are not corroded or frayed as well.
One thing I do with the batteries in my tractors that sit all winter is, I install a master disconnect on the NEGATIVE terminal and I isolate them when sitting in the barn so if there is a parasitic loss, the battery never sees it anyway. A full charged battery looses very little charge when sitting, so long as it's isolated from the system. In fact, a properly charged flooded cell battery will loose about 7-10% of it's total cranking amperage per month when it's idle and it's connected to the system.
I have very little battery related issues and never have actually and typically, a jar will last (me) for about 5 years before I replace them. Brand irregardless.
Your mileage and mine may be different but that is how I approach it and finally, when I install a new jar, I always coat the terminals and clamps as well as the ground termination with a proprietary battery compound to prevent oxidation and that includes the connections on the starter (positive and negative) as well.
My tractors have been sleeping all winter but I'm willing to make book on the fact that I can go out in the barn, close the master disconnects on them and they will fire right up.
