Battery Life

[RickOTR]

I have had an Optima Red Top in my Explorer for almost 9 years now and it seems when I take it to the mountains for skiing my truck has a more difficult time starting. It does fine in warm weather though. Voltage is fine at 12.8 volts warmed up at idle. I guess my question is, How much more life can I expect out of it and should I be looking into getting a new one soon. Has anyone got more than 10 years out of an Optime

 

[rileyrs]

9 years is alot, i wouldnt expect alot more life, especially if its losing power in the cold.

 

[splodo49]

I agree, 9 years is along time for a battery. You definatley got your moneys worth out of it. 12.8 volts at idle is low. You might want to check your alt.

 

[Wrench]

I agree that the voltage (if taken at the battery with a good VOA meter) when engine idling is too low. Should be in the 14 DCV range. I would get a load test done on the battery when it is fully charged. I think you are living on borrowed time with the age of that battery.

 

[Opera House]

Automotive batteries, even ones like Optima, have thin plates compared deep cycle batteries. Over time sections break off. A battery with only 15% charge is enough to start a vehicle in normal conditions. Seldom do you get this much warning that it is time to change.

 

[RickOTR]

Well the verdit is in. Had the battery and alternator checked today and the battery is putting out 600 cold cranking amps at idle. The alternator is putting out 59 amps at idle after a long drive. I guess I cannot complain about either as I have never replaced the alternator, and the battery is 9 years old. I can get a new regulator from Ford for around $45.00 if that is whats causing the problem. It does not sound like the whole alternator needs replaced... whay do you guys think?

 

[nitro71]

Might be worth it to start with replacing the cables then decide what's next. Unfortunately alternators, batteries and cables all are maintainance items.

 

[Opera House]

"The alternator is putting out 59 amps at idle after a long drive"

That would concern me. A friend had me diagnose a problem with his boat. The alternator put out 40A at idle. He had a shorted cell in his battery, the only one I had ever seen. I wouldn't expect an alternator to put out more than 15A at idle. 12.8V Is way to low at idle. At that voltage I dont think the battery would take more than a 2A charge. My vote is a shorted cell and a tech that didn't know what he was doing.

 

[RickOTR]

Well, here is what I found. Upon taking the alternator off and examining it, I found the brushes on the regulator to be about 1/8 inches of material left... very bad so I ordered a new regulator from Ford... $56.00. The rest was within specs. Positive battery cable going to the starter was all covered with green residue so I cleaned it. Alternator now putting out 14.4volts at idle. What a difference a little cleaning will do. OEM positive battery cable from Ford is $287.00... WOW! Battery still will not hold a charge after sitting all night so I will go ahead and replace it this weekend with another Optima red top.