Totally un-necessary, unless seldom driven and / or always short-tripped. Especially living in "a warm place to live in". While starting draws a lot of current and power it does not draw it anywhere near long enough to discharge the battery signafently at all.
New off the Shelf battery charge to 100% or just install
- Thread starter Sid6.7
- Start date
I don't see this as a question of whether an 80% charge battery will start a car because the answer is of course it will. Every Joe public relies on that fact and doesn't give it another thought much less question what's best for the life of a new battery or an old one for that matter.
What I thought the OP was asking was not will it work if the battery is just put in because the answer is also "of course it will". I thought he wanted to know the optimum scenario for fitting a new battery, in fact he specifically stated he wanted the battery to last a long time. In which case fully charge it first is the optimum method.
Use your current charger at 10 amps for a few hours.
Most important is the date code. I go for 3 months or less. That may mean getting the last one on the rack not the first. Salesman will probably give you the first.
However if you use the car on a regular basis the alternator will take care of it assuming it's not been on the shelf for a year.
Agree. My understanding is that a battery that is not initially charged to 100% will never reach 100% throughout it useful life, and I am not confident that a car's alternator is the best way to charge a battery to 100%.
Disclosure: I am not a battery expert. I just drive cars and ride motorcycles and read stuff.
JHZR2
Staff member
I prefer to charge it before install. Most recent batteries from stores have good open circuit voltage, but I prefer for them to be up as close to 100% as I can.
The alternator doesn’t necessarily do the whole job well.
I’m not sure what a grates meter is - I assume you mean voltage. It’s not mandatory, and a NOCO doesn’t have one either. You’d be better served buying a multimeter if you don’t own one. Use your charger and roll.
The alternator doesn’t necessarily do the whole job well.
I’m not sure what a grates meter is - I assume you mean voltage. It’s not mandatory, and a NOCO doesn’t have one either. You’d be better served buying a multimeter if you don’t own one. Use your charger and roll.
I always charge before installing.
Recently bought an Everstart Maxx for her daughter’s 2012 Nissan Rouge and the battery rep was in the aisle and I asked him if it’s still necessary to charge a new battery? He just said “it’s always a good idea”
Recently bought an Everstart Maxx for her daughter’s 2012 Nissan Rouge and the battery rep was in the aisle and I asked him if it’s still necessary to charge a new battery? He just said “it’s always a good idea”
I usually buy my batteries at my local NAPA store. It’s old school. The guys working there check the voltage on every battery they sell. Either multimeter or battery tester that shows voltage. Part of the reason why I buy there.