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Old 10-21-2014, 11:59 AM   #1
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Testing Toad Battery

In 50+ years I have never replaced a car battery until/unless it failed.
However, the battery in my toad is located in the trunk, under the floor mat, and will not be as easy to replace on the side of the road as others have been.
I am wondering if "load testing" is a reliable way of predicting the "remaining life" of a "maintenance free" battery?....
OR if there is ANY "reliable" way to determine the "remaining life" of a maintenance free car battery?
Thanks.
Mel
'96 Safari, '07 Saturn ION toad.
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Old 10-21-2014, 12:23 PM   #2
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Load testing the battery from the , jump start , terminals under the hood was the method we used on , hidden battery vehicles before I retired.
Minimum voltage under load was 9.7v for a fully charged battery, a battery in great condition, would hold 10.2> 10.5.
Tester we used, gave a print out and a failed printout was required for any battery warranty.

JMHO: original battery in a 8 year old car is questionable, I replaced the second battery ( from original ) in my toad, because the cranking for start up sounded a little lazy ( slow) tested under 10v under load , and at that I didn't trust it , it was 9 years old.
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Old 10-21-2014, 12:46 PM   #3
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Load testing is an excellent method but not a guarantee for the future. It will tell you what the condition is, but says little about what it might be 3+ months from now. Obviously a weak battery ought to be replaced soon, but a good battery can still go bad later. Probably not right away, though.

Since your battery is inside the passenger compartment, it is probably an AGM type. They are fully sealed except for a relief valve and generally very long lasting unless abused. We had one fail in 20 months after a car electrical problem repeatedly discharged it fully, but the replacement has been going for 5+ years now.
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Old 10-21-2014, 01:07 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer View Post
Load testing is an excellent method but not a guarantee for the future. It will tell you what the condition is, but says little about what it might be 3+ months from now. Obviously a weak battery ought to be replaced soon, but a good battery can still go bad later. Probably not right away, though.
Since your battery is inside the passenger compartment, it is probably an AGM type. They are fully sealed except for a relief valve and generally very long lasting unless abused. We had one fail in 20 months after a car electrical problem repeatedly discharged it fully, but the replacement has been going for 5+ years now.
Gary RVRoamer
Thanks
I asked because I am not about throwing $$ around "just because"...(never have been).
BTW, mine is a "maintenance free flooded lead-acid battery", (not an AGM).
Mel
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Old 10-22-2014, 12:16 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mel s View Post
In 50+ years I have never replaced a car battery until/unless it failed.
However, the battery in my toad is located in the trunk, under the floor mat, and will not be as easy to replace on the side of the road as others have been.
I am wondering if "load testing" is a reliable way of predicting the "remaining life" of a "maintenance free" battery?....
OR if there is ANY "reliable" way to determine the "remaining life" of a maintenance free car battery?
Thanks.
Mel
'96 Safari, '07 Saturn ION toad.

Find a service facility that has a MidTronics Battery Tester. That is the most accurate battery testing device in use today. Nearly all battery manufacturers require that it be used to determine battery condition for warranty replacement. I believe most new car dealers are required to have one for testing warranty replacement batteries.
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Old 10-23-2014, 09:55 AM   #6
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drive to autozone or other auto parts stores they will check it for you for free.
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