Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks

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Batteries, Unggh!

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Other Topics
Forum Name: Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks
Forum Description: anything you want to talk about except politics
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=210512
Printed Date: 25 Mar 2026 at 8:06am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Batteries, Unggh!

Posted By: DMiller
Subject: Batteries, Unggh!
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2026 at 5:19am

Recycled Crap, best have gotten is Five years in the 180 at minimal use, just changed the unit in the 2010 Impala, made 4 years 1 month since last swap.

KW will need 4 before vacation to Black Hills this summer, are just coming to Four years. Same for our motorcycle. Changed those in my Pickup two years back and the one in Wife’s car last year.

Sellers note the recycled junk will only carry a One Year to at most Two year warranty, are NO lead cell batteries being made with Fresh Lead, some are concerned recycling is not separating materials clean enough. NOT Buying a Li Any blend battery for the vehicles, notable fire hazards.

Replies:

Posted By: Codger
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2026 at 7:00am

I'm giving a couple of AGM types usage now in the dozer. Had several sets make 10+ years in standby generator service before retiring. Wet cells didn't last all that long with the chassis mounted battery racks so went AGM and they seemed to tolerate it well.

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That's All Folks!

Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2026 at 7:04am

battery life went downhill once they eliminated the caps. With no way to check electrolyte levels and high powered alternators, it's a death sentence.

High charge rates can 'boil' off the acid and water., just a little at a time but once it's gone, it's GONE.Seems it only takes '5 years' and time for a new battery.

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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)

Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water

Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2026 at 7:07am

Our Harley has a AGM, lasted longer than the standards, those would only go two years, this one three. As of the last purchase priced a AGM for the Chevy, could not stomach the price, over $240 even as typical Lead Acid was $170, Group 31s in the semi and the 180 will remain Lead Acid for now as well as replacement AGMs double the cost and not the life.

Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2026 at 7:46am

Replaced a tractor battery last fall that was 10 years old. Just pulled two out of a different tractor 9 years old. Not bad for the cold we get.

Posted By: Codger
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2026 at 7:49am

I went the $$$ for the AGM in the dozer solely based on the vibration factor. I keep nearly everything on maintainers any longer and the life seems to do fairly well. I have a single 4D series in an International semi tractor used for a yard horse and it replaces four group 31 series and it does well also.

I tend to not care too much about lables and if the cells are accessible they are checked periodically. Always distilled water, or sulfuric acid if top off is required. I have a "Leica" refractometer for solution specific gravity evaluation and it works well being much more accurate than the floating balls, or swinging needle type testers.

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That's All Folks!