I haven't looked since I bought my last battery a year or two ago, but IIRC there is a difference in weight, with the more expensive batteries being heavier. Again, I'm going on memory, so take what I'm typing with a grain of salt.
Originally Posted By: Falken
You'd be amazed how quick a running head light or radio would drain a car battery with the engine off.
When I was in school we were doing exams on cars and the car had to be constantly on a charger or the battery would dip below 10V very quickly.
Quickest way to put a car battery in an early grave is to listen to the radio with the car off every afternoon while waiting to pick kids up after school.
But, if you don't mind buying a new battery every 3 years and plan for it, it isn't a big deal.
+1
When I was young I used to go with my dad to work to help him startup the fork lifts before every one else showed up, and before the place actually opened. For whatever reason, he liked to show up EVEN EARLIER than that (about 45 in,) to listen to the radio (usually K-Rock, Howard Stern) and sip on his XL DD coffee.
Anyway, it didn't occur to me then why, but at some point in my childhood my dad changed from listening to the van radio with the engine off to a little Sony boom box, and from that point on it was always the Sony boom box, with all of the van's accessories turned off. I'll have to ask him if he decided to do that because of going through too many batteries.
Anyway X2: After a few of my own personal episodes with dead batteries (e.g., trying to pump up a low tire with the engine off or listening to the radio for too long) I've decided to leave everything off unless the engine is running. Less degradation of the battery and less stress on the charging system.
