What is causing shorter battery life?

[Wildtoad]

my ‘21 glad still has OEM batteries with no signs of weakening. It gets driven quite a lot, mostly interstate, so batteries are always fully charge. Just like tires keep them maintained, cleaned, well used and they will last a long time.

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[kb5zcr]

If they were on all vehicles sold, meh, maybe.
Not all dealers install those, and, most of us have ripped them out by now if found.
(Not all dealers try to upsell you with theft recovery protection.)

I should hook one back up and measure the actual current draw - my bet, it's really miniscule....... interesting experiment.

I wonder if they put them on all vehicles since the vast majority are financed. Makes it easier to repossess if needed. If someone was in the repossession business they could probably shed more light on it.

 

[Vtur]

Just got back from a 3 weeks vaca. To my surprise, the truck started right up. Original 4.5yo main battery.

 

[Lost1wing]

This internet thing is alot cooler than being outside

Just got back from a 3 weeks vaca. To my surprise, the truck started right up. Original 4.5yo main battery.

The next thing to see is when ESS is ready. Mine would probably start after 3 weeks on my coming up on 6 year old OEM batteries. My ESS would not show ready even after a three hour ride. I would put mine on the trickle charger after a vacation like that.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I wonder if they put them on all vehicles since the vast majority are financed. Makes it easier to repossess if needed. If someone was in the repossession business they could probably shed more light on it.

They put them on to sell an anti-theft or theft recovery service. It shows up on the windshield sticker they print up in some cases.
Our dealership and the other one not far from us where I no longer go has it as a value-added item and when you go to the "finance office" it's brought up then.
In our case, the guy crosses that off and says "you probably don't want this" - in fact they do that with several of the packages the usually try to sell.............. they know I just say no.
I looked up the devices and found the web site where you can buy the device yourself, or sign up for the service if the device is already there.

Other uses? I suppose - but here, it's a money-maker for the dealerships

 

[AmosMoses]

The only way to extend battery life is to run 0W40 weight oil. The extra horsepowers run the alternator quicker and the extra viscosity provides more thrust per squeeze of lubricity particulate.

 

[Mr Miami]

The only way to extend battery life is to run 0W40 weight oil. The extra horsepowers run the alternator quicker and the extra viscosity provides more thrust per squeeze of lubricity particulate.

You failed to mention that for your hypothesis to be valid, you must add 2 quarts of Marvel Mystery Oil. Those LCD's will shine like never before.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Lack of use and more electronics that stay alive. The only way to overcome this will be to drive the vehicle or put a trickle charger on it when not in use.

My 2020 is still on the original batteries. I can go about 2 weeks letting it sit but the batteries will show 12.2vdc. So to avoid a no start or getting stranded, I keep my trickle charger on it when it is parked for more than a week. Even now, after I pull the trickle charger off, my voltage will be 12.6vdc after a few hours. I have been satisfied with my batteries but I just didn't ignore them.

Absolutely this.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You failed to mention that for your hypothesis to be valid, you must add 2 quarts of Marvel Mystery Oil. Those LCD's will shine like never before.

 

[Flyboy2109]

cheap batteries and high electric load with minimal charging times (low mileage) recipe for cooking the AUX battery and that will ultimately drag the main down with it.

I agree. The OEM's installs pretty crummy batteries these days. If those get 3 years feel lucky, then go get a decent after market battery manufactured with pride in the label and reputation. And despite posts to the contrary I happily removed the AUX batt right off after purchase of my 2023 and have lived happily ever after.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I agree. The OEM's installs pretty crummy batteries these days. If those get 3 years feel lucky, then go get a decent after market battery manufactured with pride in the label and reputation. And despite posts to the contrary I happily removed the AUX batt right off after purchase of my 2023 and have lived happily ever after.

I still have mine but i upgraded both. So far its been unproblematic since replacement.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I still have mine but i upgraded both

There's one of the keys, the other is keeping them charged up by whatever means works for you - driving, or a tender.

Of course, it's the internet so problems become bigger and a lot greater in numbers than what reality is.

 

[PuddleJumper]

There's one of the keys, the other is keeping them charged up by whatever means works for you - driving, or a tender.

Of course, it's the internet so problems become bigger and a lot greater in numbers than what reality is.

I run a tender for riding season. other than that i does 50+ miles daily.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I agree. The OEM's installs pretty crummy batteries these days. If those get 3 years feel lucky, then go get a decent after market battery manufactured with pride in the label and reputation. And despite posts to the contrary I happily removed the AUX batt right off after purchase of my 2023 and have lived happily ever after.

I've had better luck with OE batteries. Never been as short as 3 year life.

 

[HueCity0846]

Parasitic draw on the Gladiator is very high and high draw kills batteries if not driven every day or put on a trickle charger. Also, AGM batteries suffer damage if voltage stays in the low 12 volt range for extended periods.
Heat is the other big destroyer of batteries. When I lived in Phoenix my batteries never made it past 5 years with many dying at one year.
I bought a 2000 Ram Cummins in Nov. 1999 and did not change those batteries until Jan. 2010. The 2nd set (Walmart) lasted just over 10 years. the 3rd set (Walmart) is still running strong.
I am keeping a NOCO 1 amp on my Glad as I do not drive it often.

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