How many years should I expect to get out of a cranking battery

[tacklejunkie]

It's dead. It doesn't seem to hold a charge. I've had it since 2006. Also, on my Hummingbird 565 fish finder, it seems to go off if I tap it or say "Input Voltage Low" but the battery still works for the lights and bilge and livewell. Is the fishfinder thing a battery problem?

[LightningBG]

It's really tough to say. It all depends on how its used, how its charged, how far down it gets, etc. 5 years isn't horrible, but I've seen them go lots longer, also shorter.

[BobT]

Any battery that gives you five years of service is usually considered pretty good but I agree with lightning that the kind of life the battery was subjected to will have a huge impact. Charge level, time spent below full charge, recharge sequence, fluid level, temperature extremes, vibration, and load current all deplete battery's life. The higher these extremes the lower life expectancy.

[CAMAN]

Yup, 5 years is about average for my batteries. I usually replace them after I start noticing them getting weaker. With my luck they will fail at the worse possible time, it's cheap insurance.

[BobT]

The starting battery in my 2001 F150 was still the original when I traded the truck in the fall of 2009. I bought the truck in the fall of 2000 so it was about nine years old. Load test showed the battery was still delivering over 80% the last time I brought the truck in for service before trading. I thought that was quite remarkable.

[tacklejunkie]

Well, it looks like a trip to the battery store is in order.

Would that also affect the fishfinder, too?? I noticed the "voltage input low" on my fishfinder late alst year and if I hit a bump too hard, it would go up. The wiring on it is fine so I'm thinking it was a deteriorating cranking battery

[CJH]

Would that also affect the fishfinder, too?? I noticed the "voltage input low" on my fishfinder late alst year and if I hit a bump too hard, it would go up. The wiring on it is fine so I'm thinking it was a deteriorating cranking battery [/quote

I know my friends Lowrance doesn't work properly once the voltage gets low. I think that is pretty common.

Bob - that's a heck of an unusual lifespan for a truck battery!!!

[BobT]

Yeah, I know. I was pleasantly surprised.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I have a 565 also. When it's input voltage gets low it seems to not be very happy. Otherwise, I love it.

5 years is what I'd call average life for a battery. Of course there are a lot of variables involved. Use, discharge, charge rate, blah, blah, tech talk, blah, and so on. In the end, if it's not holding a charge it's time to get a new one.

[LoonASea]

My 97 F150 still has the original battery,,,My cranking battery is an 05 and before I put it away for the winter I check the fluid level and drop 1 non buffered asprin in each cell which I was told by an old timer coats the lead plates so they wont flake and short out ,,,I had an old "action pack" deep cycle for 13 years and I might still have it if it didnt get dropped and cracked the case

[BobT]

Never heard of the aspirin remedy. How is that supposed to work? I'd be hesitant to add anything like that myself but obviously you've been getting away with it.

[JimmyJames]

I have a 2007 F150 that needs a new battery, I'll trade ya LoonASea, mine's newer.

[jeffreyd]

i have had to replace my battery twice in my 04 dodge. due to the high temps here in az if we get 18 months out of one we are lucky. I did get 3 yrs out of my wifes battery in the magnum however it is in the truck so not exposed to the high temps under the hood. 5 yrs would be a joy. hope all are safe with the wild weather going on in the north country. we had rain and a high of 54 yesterday here in phoenix with nearly 18 inch of snow up north.

[LoonASea]

Bob as it was explained to me back then ,,,the asprin coats the lead plates so they dont flake ,,if they do flake the flakes drop to the bottom and create a shorting of the plates killing that cell ,,,the key I was told was to use non buffered asprin ,,,even if one doesnt use the asprin trick ,,proper maintenence is key to longevity

[jigginjerk]

This will be my 7th year on my cranking battery. I attribute that to keeping water levels up and an onboard charger that gets plugged in after every outing. Deep cycles got replaced last year because I went to 24V Terrova I-Pilot. Love it by the way.

[BobT]

Bob as it was explained to me back then ,,,the asprin coats the lead plates so they dont flake ,,if they do flake the flakes drop to the bottom and create a shorting of the plates killing that cell ,,,the key I was told was to use non buffered asprin ,,,even if one doesnt use the asprin trick ,,proper maintenence is key to longevity

[Northlander]

Loonasea that battery in your truck lasts because the thing never gets driven.

As far as a cranking marin battery 5 years is good.

[LoonASea]

Thanks for the info Bob ,,,I might have to put that asprin to other uses

Northlander My truck gets just as much use as my boat since they dont go any where with out each other

[tacklejunkie]

I bought a new battery and it's all good