Should I replace my battery based on date alone? Just got an 06 TJ and the date written on the battery is August 2012. I didn’t start it for 2 days and took a reading of 12.4V. Has no troubles starting. It’s about as cold as it gets here in the UK at the minute as well 0C/ 32F.
Battery Change Based On Date
- Thread starter Chipps
- Start date
I keep mine until they start to fail. I just replaced the original in my 2006 Scion a few weeks ago.
That’s what I was thinking. Just keep an eye on it.
In our TJ's we have a NAPA AGM from 2010 and 2020. You might take a look at cleaning your battery terminals , they can keep you from starting and it doesn't cost anything to correct other than a little time. Enjoy your TJ man.
My TJ isn't a daily driver, and the battery is from 2017. I don't often drive it hours from home or during the winter. I do make a habit of trickle charging my batteries every so often over night in my cars and equipment when they aren't used for a while to make sure they are good to go. Putting a load tester on the battery every 6 months can also give you an indication of battery health before it leaves you stranded. If it is working fine and tests good I wouldn't necessarily assume a new battery is better. I've had friends who replaced batteries that were several years old only to have the new one fail and leave them stranded in a year or two.
I now change out my batteries every 5 years, even if they seem to be fine. Too many past experiences where batteries fail at the most inconvenient times. Usually happens nowhere near home and in the most wet or freezing weather and when you are in a hurry to get somewhere important. Not going through that anymore, nope, not gonna do it. Keep an old one or two around for shop use or to loan out to an unfortunate suddenly needy friend.
Thanks. Can get hold of a battery load tester through work to use. Good call.
Starting batteries last 5-7 years on average, assuming the vehicle is used regularly. They die prematurely when left in a discharged state. Conventional lead-acid batteries can lose 10-15% of their charge per month, AGM's 2-3% if the vehicle is not driven or even if the battery is sitting in your garage. If it's not a daily-driver, consider a 1-2 amp battery maintainer. Clean those clamps and terminals shiny and coat with a dielectric compound. Batteries are the most neglected item on seasonal machines, esp boats. We sell 30-40 batteries a month and more than half were due to neglect.
Electronic chargers don't engage if they don't "see" any voltage. We get lots of customers saying their flat 1 year old boat battery won't charge (and are seeking warranty). After 15 minutes on a commercial charger, it's sucking 40a and fully recovers.
Electronic chargers don't engage if they don't "see" any voltage. We get lots of customers saying their flat 1 year old boat battery won't charge (and are seeking warranty). After 15 minutes on a commercial charger, it's sucking 40a and fully recovers.
Timely discussion. The battery in my new-to-me 2005 TJ is five years old. I'm probably going to replace it. I've had batteries that work fine one day and literally die the next day.
I'm trying to decide if I want to spend the money on an Optima or Odyssey AGM or stick with a lead acid battery. This Jeep will take me out to Nowhere Nevada and the last thing I want is a dead battery.
I'm trying to decide if I want to spend the money on an Optima or Odyssey AGM or stick with a lead acid battery. This Jeep will take me out to Nowhere Nevada and the last thing I want is a dead battery.
I bring a lithium jumper with me. Mine uses 2% for each jump. I’ve helped multiple ppl who were stranded places. My jumper also acts as a battery bank to charge phones and other devices and has a light.
Here’s an Amazon deal I noticed when attempting to provide an example.
50% off deal ends in about two hours (84% claimed).
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Indeed.
For that reason, I bring my jumper to help ensure I'll be ok if my battery dies. Easy peasy.
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For what it's worth , I have had a great track record with a NAPA Ledgend AGM since 2010.
Since I don’t like to be stranded with a dead battery, I change them one year past the end of warranty so usually 4-5 years.
I also carry high quality copper jumper cables and a jump pack. Did I mention I hate being stranded?
I have been able to use my cables and jump pack to help others and it’s always a nice feeling to get someone running.
I also carry high quality copper jumper cables and a jump pack. Did I mention I hate being stranded?
I have been able to use my cables and jump pack to help others and it’s always a nice feeling to get someone running.
In my TJ I use a "Interstate" refurbished battery that costs me 45 bucks and its good for just over four years, no issues if you drive it semi regularly. In my LJ which I keep garaged I have the Odyssey AGM 850 cold cranking amps, you can leave that sucker alone for months and it will start right up in the dead of winter. That being said I charge it fully from time to time just to stay on top of it.
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