Finally had to replace my battery

H

hblock72

Active Member
May 11, 2009
248
Salisbury, NC (High Rock Lake)
Boat Info
2007 185 sport w/wakeboard package
Engines
4.3 TKS
After 13 years, yep 13, I finally had to replace the original battery that came with my boat when I bought it new. It's a 2007 185 sport that I took delivery of in the fall of 2006. When the boat is not in use, it sits on the trailer in a detached garage with a battery tender hooked to it. I think that's what's allowed it to last so long. Yesterday, when I hit the remote transom trim switch to raise the outdrive before hooking it up to the truck to go to the lake, I got nothing. It was an interstate 24M-HD. I replaced it with a 24M-XHD. Hope I get the same service out of the new one as I did the old one.
 
That is a long life, well done. My assumption is the current version of that battery is manufactured much less robust, just long enough to get most through the warranty period.
 
paulswagelock said:
That is a long life, well done. My assumption is the current version of that battery is manufactured much less robust, just long enough to get most through the warranty period.
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And I thought I held the title for biggest cynic. Not that it’s untrue of course. Regular use of a good battery tender will extend the life. Learned that lesson with low mileage sports cars.

H
 
Not a cynic, just observing the replacement products I have purchased, and being in tune with the manufacturing trends. The economy and manufacturing practices were much different in 2006 when you bought it last time. In any case, I am sure you will get the longest possible life out of it with your diligence.
 
Not a boat, but my 2009 VW's original battery lasted 9 1/2 years.

Most driving is 1 1/2 hour commuting and then it would sit unused for 2-3 days.

Not many short trips. Curious how long the replacement will last.
 
Bought a 1970 AMC AMX in 07 with a red top Optima in it. This car sits months at a time with no use and no trickle charge. I'm in such awe as to how long this battery has lasted I started taking better care of it lately with a tender. Cranks over my high compression 390 like nothing.
 
Every spring for about the last 7 years, I've though this is the year I have to replace the battery, but it kept on going. It almost became a game to see how many years I could get out of it. A few years ago, I did buy one of those little jump packs though and started keeping it on the boat....lol
 
The battery in my gas golf cart is 12 years old. Of course, now that I've been dumb enough to type that, it will be dead the next time I use it.
 
The previous owner had to spring for two new starting batteries as well as two house batteries for the Sabre (don’t ever doubt the value of a good surveyor)

And of course after winning the battery lottery on the new boat, the battery on my 10 month old Panamera 4s is junk and needs to be replaced.
 
The brand, or the concept? My summer car has killed more than its share of batteries during storage. I try to pull a cable off the battery for the long stretches, but then the stereo loses all settings and I have to spend at least 10 minutes re-configuring it.

I'd like to invest in a device, but there's a wide range out there.
 
I guess maybe both the brand and the concept. I think keeping idle batteries from discharging is key to making them last. Any type of "quality" trickle charger would be better than nothing. I've always just used battery tenders and they've worked well for me, so I haven't tried any other brands. I prefer the Jr. model. They're relative inexpensive and probably actually pay for themselves over the long haul in deferred battery replacements. They're great for single battery applications. Would probably go with something like a Promariner for a bank battery setup.
 
hblock72 said:
Any type of "quality" trickle charger would be better than nothing.
Click to expand...
That is the key. A generic trickle charger can still cook a battery over time. It needs to be a smart charger. Battery Tender is a good brand. I use the Battery Minder brand (have about a dozen of them between here in PA and ME) and like the desulphation phase that it offers. But Battery Tender would be an excellent choice, as well.

13 years is still getting pretty lucky. I do wonder if the charger wasn't on... would the battery last a few weeks without discharging too much? Sometimes, a charger can be a bad thing in the sense that it masks a dying battery. The other that may helped you is the V6 is a pretty easy engine to turn over - plus, if you've kept the engine in good health, it makes it that much easier on everything.
 
I have used the Harbor Freight $5.00 trickle charger for years without any problems
 
I keep my C6 Corvette and 68 GTO hooked up to Battery Tenders and the batteries last for years. I replace them after about 10 trouble free years just to be safe, but they test out as good when they come out of the cars and get handed down to friends.
I could keep them going but batteries are cheap enough that it isn’t worth it to me to push my luck.
 
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