Battery life

[Dawie]

In the seventies a well looked after car battery often lasted 8 - 12 years.

Then came the eighties,batteries started failing soon after guarantee expired.Having several old acvws, this became expensive.

Then, 10 years ago,bought two lead-calcium batteries. Slightly more expensive,not available at automotive battery dealers.
Usually used where reliability is not negotiable,like lighthouses,hospital backup systems,etc.

These two batteries, after 10 years, still perform like new. The other day, forgot the interior light on in my beetle,the next day it still started. It is not exactly the same shape as a 630 battery, the difference is in the position of the connection posts. The other one,in my baywindow, is similar to a 652.

By the way, a lead acid battery should never be left discharged,sulfating of the plates will happen which will severely shorten life. A flat battery is best charged with a charger at no more than one tenth its capacity per hour.
Jump starting a car or push starting if the battery is very flat is bad, with newer alternators charging at 55 amp or more.

Just curious, how long does batteries last overseas?

[SUZIE]

Hi Dawie

Interesting the part that one should not charge it more than one tenth of the batterys capacity
Thanks for the info

[fig]

Yes, I have heard very many stories of Beetles from the 60s where the original battery lasted between 10-15 years. SA VWs were originally fitted with Willard batteries. I find that modern lead-acid batteries don't usually last more than three years.

I recently had the AA fit a new battery to my Mercedes, and I notice that it seemsto be a different type (sealed). Is this the same as the lead calcium battery?

[brianj]

if it is sealed, it probably is lead/ calcium. it should have a sticker saying that, though

[Tony Z]

Gel batteries are by far the best you can get. They also have a colour coded sight piece that indicates the condition of the battery. Charged, half, flat or faulty.
The thing with a battery is to make sure the plates are always covered with distilled water, never add acid and it must be fully charged when you leave it standing. Best to have a trickle charge attached at least once a month for a day.

The batteries in my bug have lasted fairly well, about 5 years each, with one exception.
We had an Audi 500 stand for 6 months at a time and then run for 2 weeks at a time. The battery lasted like this from 1993 until we sold it in 2002. Fully charged and disconnected each time it stood