Short battery life

[The_Jeff]

http://www.rtpnet.org/~teaa/bcigroup.html

Not seeing a dramatic difference in area. Longer but less tall.

I'd still stick the right size in if not bigger.

Get a running voltage from the thing? My GMs shoot up to 14.3 to 15 (cold) and I never have a problem.

My euro-trash cars have been 13.5-13.8 and they benefit from an occasional top off.

 

[Virtuoso]

I'm sorry but Deka batteries are fine.

If you're killing one every year, something is wrong.

I would pull the CCA numbers for the group 26 vs the spec'd 58.

But really, if it's got the juice to start the car (especially in California!!) I would imagine the problem points somewhere else.

 

[Chris142]

The charging system has been checked by 2 places. Ones a shop that specializes in rebuilding starters and Alternators and the other place sold me the batteries.

I don't remember the exact output.

Diodes ok. Alt output ok and I watched him crank on some load with a Snap-On charging system tester.

I can drive it 200 miles w/o an issue and it can sit a few weeks unplugged and start right up.

 

[Virtuoso]

Hmmmm.

I guess if it's checked out twice then perhaps it is the batteries.

But 3 in a row? I've had bad luck but that's pushing it.

Have/can you check for parasitic losses while the car is off?

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Virtuoso



Have/can you check for parasitic losses while the car is off?
The only test of that I have done was to leave it off the maintainer for a couple of weeks and watched battery voltage.

It dropped to 12.59v after a couple weeks unused.

 

[Vikas]

Somebody has to check the parasite current

 

[bullwinkle]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Originally Posted By: Chris142
My mom does not drive anymore. We use her car (99 Sportage)about once a week, to take her to see my dad or to appointments etc.

I know that letting batteries sit unused is fatal to them.

When it's not being used I hook up either a Battery maintainer or one of my smart chargers that have a maintain option to it.

No acid is boiling out so I'm assuming that it's not being overcharged.

I'm replacing a bad battery every 9-12 months! The best was a JC battery from A-Zone. It lasted 3 yrs or so. Maybe more but she was driving back then.

The last 3 have been Deka batteries from Battery mart. The average life of these is about a year.

The charging system checks out fine, clean cables etc. Just bad batteries.

Junk Deka batteries? 3 in a row?


Proceed with caution. Calling Deka junk around here will stir up the locals...
Won't stir me up-literally EVERY Deka I've ever had has suffered a premature death, while I've seen Interstate/Johnson Controls batteries last a long time, even when abused!

 

[The_Jeff]

Deka could have a problem with the process IN THAT SIZE. Be good to change a couple variables: brand AND size. I'd get something with a nice warranty... eg walmart.