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Life span of a car battery


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#21
Sogo

Posted 12 August 2003 - 12:18 PM

Sogo

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WHoaa casey, so detail. Good info too.

What about the no water batt maintenance, like delkor or Delco batt??(got
indicator too) Told before, it can last up to 5yrs without recharging.
An expensive batt, but good investment.
What do you think?

use one before in my prev. car. 1yr ++ and still running. buts still,
need your advice too.

#22
joraq202

Posted 12 August 2003 - 05:36 PM

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When you switch on your ICE in the morning and find that all memories or
setting has gone, check your battery...dah nak kong lah tu!

#23
hfyim

Posted 12 August 2003 - 06:03 PM

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sogo, not too sure about maintenance free batts, and yes they do have an
indcator built in showing different conditions of the battery, hydro-
something, cant remember.

Anyway, I've just started to use maintenance free battery, lets see how
long this baby lasts with some ice to boot Wink

#24
kasey

Posted 12 August 2003 - 08:33 PM

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Guys,

Yes, I am of engineering background and no, I do not work with Proton.
Like most of you, automobile has been and still is one of my greatest
interest in life.

It is actually of no big deal, whatever information that I mentioned here
are actually available in the open, while some of those are of my own
experiences and just want to share; after all most of us are pretty busy
with work and may not have the time to look it up. In fact, information or
knowledge which one can not be or do not want to share with others is of
worthless. I only hope the things that I wrote is not a big bore to all of
you.

sogo,

Also just to share this with all, we know there are basically
three "types" of lead-acid car battery (not the AGM type like Optima or
Hawk, those are of a different category: Deep-cycle, spiral core
batteries) commonly available in our local market:

(1) the normal lead acid battery - translucent casing, with six protruding
screw-on cap, for topping up the electrolyte
(2) the low-maintenance type - flat top, translucent case, comes with a
view window as charger indicator, six counter-sunk screwed-on caps for
topping up of electrolyte. The vent holes is at the sides of the battery.
(3) the maintenance-free type - flat top, with state-of-charge indicator,
completely sealed (except for two small vent-holes at the sides) normally
comes in a all-black casing. It is designed with vapor recovery system.

Basically type (1) is the most common, it is the cheapest of all three and
the most cost effective. That's the reason why most locally assemble cars
are installed with it. Useful life-span - 1 year to 1 year and 6 months.

Type (2) is essentially the same as type (1), except for the flat-top
design and moving of the venting hole to the sides. It is aesthetically
better looking, easy to clean and you don't get vapor in top of the
battery. You still need to add electrolyte from time to time. Cost about
10% to 15% more, but through my experience, it last about the same time at
type (1).

Type (3) is the so called maintenance free flat-top battery, designed with
a vapor recovery system to salvage the vapor during charging and return it
to the cell. However, you and I know the recovery can not be of 100%; so
manufacturers normally "overfill" the cell a bit to compensate for this.
As I have mentioned in my earlier posting, heat in the engine compartment
is actually the biggest enemy for the battery; so in the case of Waja, I
seriously doubt a MF battery would be able last for 3 years, let alone 5
years because the engine heat will accelarate the vapourisation and
eventually leaves ther cell dry, let alone our hot tropical climate and
the daily traffic jams will punish it further. Most MF batteries are
imported (I am not sure the yoko MF is made here now), brands like Delkor
(Korean made, the one that I am using in the Waja now - I am quite happy
if it could last me a good 2 years) and Delco (no stranger to most of you)
are priced from 30% to 100% more than type(1).

So essentially, the choice is quite individual.

just my 02 cents

cheers,

kasey.



#25
Weezy

Posted 12 August 2003 - 08:40 PM

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thanks for all your tips!! Big Smile we are anything but bored!! more more!!
Big Smile can join us for tt one night or not?? i'm sure many of us will be
more than happie to buy you a cuppa Wink

#26
kasey

Posted 12 August 2003 - 09:04 PM

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Weezy,

Thanks for the invite....will be going up to Penang tomorrow and back only
end of the week and yeah, would be good to meet up with some of you,
sometime.....

cheers,

kasey.

#27
bUGG

Posted 12 August 2003 - 10:05 PM

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kasey, very good tips. Is good to have you here and giving us all kind of
useful information. Will glad that if you can join us for TT some other
time.

#28
bangau

Posted 13 August 2003 - 09:34 AM

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Kasey...join our TT. Weezy is offering to buy you a cup of Ribena Berry.
Bring along some free batteries oso. :)

Good lah, I learn a lot from your posting pall. Now I know that expensive
batteries do not have to last longer than the normal ones.

#29
ahkau

Posted 13 August 2003 - 11:06 AM

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wow! thanks kasey for the info!

#30
firdausasri

Posted 15 August 2003 - 03:42 AM

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My previous battery lasted for 2 years 6 months, not bad eh?