Sealed Type Battery Life

[hakjay]

Hi Guys!

I am using a 2008 Pajero (manual, no duel a/c, no electric seats). I find that the sealed type batteries needs replacing like every 13 to 14 months. I find this very unusual since the battery should last at least 36 months (minimum). Please note I have a drive who sits in the car with door open (on door lights remain ON) and the key is also in. Like to hear your coments.

[heavyD]

Hi Guys!

I am using a 2008 Pajero (manual, no duel a/c, no electric seats). I find that the sealed type batteries needs replacing like every 13 to 14 months. I find this very unusual since the battery should last at least 36 months (minimum). Please note I have a drive who sits in the car with door open (on door lights remain ON) and the key is also in. Like to hear your coments.

They do last for more than a year usually. What brand do you buy?

[The Stig]

Hi Guys!

I am using a 2008 Pajero (manual, no duel a/c, no electric seats). I find that the sealed type batteries needs replacing like every 13 to 14 months. I find this very unusual since the battery should last at least 36 months (minimum). Please note I have a drive who sits in the car with door open (on door lights remain ON) and the key is also in. Like to hear your coments.

"I have a drive who sits in the car with door open" your not making any sense bro, could you explain a little bit more ?

Have you switched to a normal battery and tested the duration they last ?

Sounds like somethings wrong with your electrical system, you better get it checked from a garage

[The Don]

Stig, he's referring to his driver's habits !

[Kavvz]

"I have a drive who sits in the car with door open" your not making any sense bro, could you explain a little bit more ?

Have you switched to a normal battery and tested the duration they last ?

Sounds like somethings wrong with your electrical system, you better get it checked from a garage

He means his driver sits in the shade with the door open for ventilation with the key in the ignition running down the battery while he waits on pick-ups / drop offs....

[Ripper]

Hi Guys!

I am using a 2008 Pajero (manual, no duel a/c, no electric seats). I find that the sealed type batteries needs replacing like every 13 to 14 months. I find this very unusual since the battery should last at least 36 months (minimum). Please note I have a drive who sits in the car with door open (on door lights remain ON) and the key is also in. Like to hear your coments.

i doubt a battery will last 36 months...in our kinda (short trips) driving anyways....

2 or two and a half is the max i have got from both types of batteries...

if you jeep is doing very short runs....more cranking juice off the battery and less time to properly charge it back...

battery life will reduce...

Also it's worthwhile checking whether you have the correct rated battery for the vehicle...

[harshansenadhir]

i doubt a battery will last 36 months...in our kinda (short trips) driving anyways....

2 or two and a half is the max i have got from both types of batteries...

if you jeep is doing very short runs....more cranking juice off the battery and less time to properly charge it back...

battery life will reduce...

Also it's worthwhile checking whether you have the correct rated battery for the vehicle...

+1 and to add to the list the A/C working full time and most of the time engine is idle and stuck in traffic jam. The best life I ever got from a battery is 2 years and couple of months more that's it. Usually all others gave up just after warranty is over, say 14 months sometimes.

[The Stig]

Thanks for the explanation guys, now i got it

But on the issue of his battery dying, i think its highly unlikely the reason for this is a small light. right guys ?

[hakjay]

Thanks for the explanation guys, now i got it

But on the issue of his battery dying, i think its highly unlikely the reason for this is a small light. right guys ?

Sorry about the ambiguity of my statements. Just to get thing right, Don is right, I am taking about my drivers habits as I don't see any other way for the battery to discharge.

1. When the key is in the key hole the dash lights are on (time, compus,etc..)

2. The door light is quite bright and he (the driver ) opens more than one door since its quite hot here but being a good Srilankan I have given him a nice chair in the shade too.

3. A alarm system was installed reacenty and that too comes with its problems. Faulty installation can cause battery discharge? The system works fine.

4. Most of the trips are short runs in heavy traffic (very havy).

Before sending it to the garage, I want to have an idea hence my post.

[harshansenadhir]

Sorry about the ambiguity of my statements. Just to get thing right, Don is right, I am taking about my drivers habits as I don't see any other way for the battery to discharge.

1. When the key is in the key hole the dash lights are on (time, compus,etc..)

2. The door light is quite bright and he (the driver ) opens more than one door since its quite hot here but being a good Srilankan I have given him a nice chair in the shade too.

3. A alarm system was installed reacenty and that too comes with its problems. Faulty installation can cause battery discharge? The system works fine.

4. Most of the trips are short runs in heavy traffic (very havy).

Before sending it to the garage, I want to have an idea hence my post.

Short trips explains why it will not get charged properly. Get the voltage readings of your battery on following scenarios and post here.

1. Idle running with all accessories switched off

2. Race the engine to 2000 rpm with all accessories switched off

3. Idle running with A/C, Lights (high beams) on with blower fan in highest possible speed.

4. Race the engine to 2000 rpm with the accessories on in step no 03.

by reading the voltages the guy at battery dealer himself would be able to tell you whether your charging system is faulty or not. This will be another factor in identifying the reasons for shortened battery life as you feel.

[charitha19]

plus battery places have those meters with load testers...

[charitha19]

plus battery places have those meters with load testers... \

a simler question i also have this sealed type battery. how do u service this.. becuase its not like these are maintance free batteries. they do have lead acid in them. and therefore they need to be topped up right?

[harshansenadhir]

plus battery places have those meters with load testers... \

a simler question i also have this sealed type battery. how do u service this.. becuase its not like these are maintance free batteries. they do have lead acid in them. and therefore they need to be topped up right?

sealed types are generally comes with a gel instead of liquid, so they goes as maintenance free as you don't have to top up/maintain the fluid level. I don't think it can be topped up.

[heavyD]

sealed types are generally comes with a gel instead of liquid, so they goes as maintenance free as you don't have to top up/maintain the fluid level. I don't think it can be topped up.

Isn't there a semi-maintenance battery type as well?

[harshansenadhir]

Isn't there a semi-maintenance battery type as well?

not quite sure on that, the sealed ones I've come across were filled with gel. Further I'm personally not happy with them and moved back to the old school method. Liquid type with regular maintenance, that is

[The Don]

Guys, I must say I'm surprised by the battery life issue (though I agree with the statements since I've experienced it myself). I mean my car in SL has needed a battery every 2 years or so. What I'm surprised about is in the UK batteries are normally sold with a 3 year warranty (bog standard unknown brand batteries) and it is the cold which kills batteries not the warmth.

It almost seems that if your car is confined to doing short trips, it makes sense to take the battery to a charging centre and get it properly power cycled every 6 months or so ! Do you think something like this will prolong its life?