Batteries and warranty replacements

[Sojourner]

I'll most likely have to bite the bullet and pay for three new batteries, but there is the chance that one battery with a bad cell killed the rest.

About "one battery with a bad cell killed the rest".....that not true....it has nothing to do with killing other 3 batteries. Read on:
Belfert...
Apparently that battery dealer you have taken to doesn't know how to take care of you....they should have charge all 4 batteries over night first before testing.

About brand name labeled batteries is within warranty having problem.....by all mean take it to your dealer and have them charge up before any battery testing. They are too weak to be tested correctly and if it doesn't charge up to spec....then they have to give you the adjustment toward new replacement. Otherwise they can test your batteries for load and life condition.

About no brand name on battery....just doesn't expect any service from dealer. You learn a lesson to never go by prices alone but search for a good brand name, warranty and then prices that meet your need or requirement.

If you do buy new batteries by all mean get 4 same brand, same dated and with good warranty. Suggest to buy at populae chain retailer so you can get serivce wherever you travel.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[belfert]

I basically did the dealer's work for them.  I took the batteries home and was able to charge them for 6 to 8 hours each before I brought them back.  The voltage was a lot better, but nowhere close to a full 12 volts.  The service department said they all four should be replaced, but the parts dept would only replace one of them.

I would like to buy other batteries, but I already have one new battery and the cost from another place would probably be $20 each more expensive.  The new battery at least has a brand name this time.  I believe even if these batteries are cheap that keeping them on a Battery Tender will make them last a whole lot longer.

[Sojourner]

Quote "I basically did the dealer's work for them." unquoted....That where your problem is.

Belfert....what I mean to let them (the place you purchase from) charge it to prove that no good or is good after they done charging. It may take a few days on their charger but you have the proof in front their eyes for warranty adjustment if needed.

It your money....however the way you choose, but that what I would have done for my 67 dollar purchase or whatever price battery.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[belfert]

The final resolution is I got three of the four batteries replaced under warranty.  I had charged one battery for over a week at two amps and it never went over 7.5 volts.  The counter guy at the parts place had no problem replacing the two batteries I had not charged as his tester would not power up, but he would not replace the battery I charged since his tester showed low voltage.

I decided not to argue and just bought one new battery to match the other three new ones.

My Battery Tender arrived late last week and I will get that installed when I install the new batteries so I shouldn't have problems again.

[RTS/Daytona]

I used these on my Motorcycle and my 12volt Generator battery in the RV

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TWO-WILDFIRE-12V-BATTERY-TRICKLE-FLOAT-CHARGER-F_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35557QQihZ018QQitemZ280232553903QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

They worked great for me

The Harbor Freight ones would not work or last for me - went thru 3 of those

Pete -Your mileage may vary

[belfert]

I bought a Power Tender Plus 24 volt made by the Battery Tender folks.  I hope it isn't a piece of junk since I paid 70 some dollars for it.  My starting battery bank is 24 volts so that makes finding a trickle charger that much more difficult.

Interestingly enough, my generator will start even in the middle of the winter with a battery that I have never charged.  I have no idea how old the battery is, but it is at least three years old and probably a lot older than that.

[Dallas]

Brian,
It's amazing how robust some batteries are..

I had a '62 Chevy 3/4 ton with a flat bed I bought at a junk store. It had the 292 engine, a 4 speed stick and mounted on the side under the bed was an 8D battery of unknown manufacture... The only thing readable on the battery was a date that said, "Jan 67". I bought the truck in '77 and drove it with the same battery until 1994... even through Fargo winters, it would fire up, charge and even jump off the Peterbilts we had running over the road.

I'd love to find another bunch of batteries like that.. but maybe it's all part of planned obsolescence. They don't want us to have batteries like that... they aren't s'pose to last more than a few years.

Dallas