Battery replacement

[JDgreen227]

Need to replace the OEM battery in my car this month. Last time I did that on my GMC, I used a 12 volt battery charger to keep the electrical system energized when I swapped the batteries. I recall when I did a battery swap back about 1998, I had been advised to keep the electrical system powered up so the electronics would not lose their "memory" and the systems would not have to go through a relearning process after battery disconnection.

I don't know if you even have to do the energizing today...any advice? Thanks.

 

[moored4]

I have no ideal but that's a great way to keep from haveing to reset everthing! :thumbsup: Now I can go back to bed cause I have learned my one thing for today!

 

[pacerron]

Need to replace the OEM battery in my car this month. Last time I did that on my GMC, I used a 12 volt battery charger to keep the electrical system energized when I swapped the batteries. I recall when I did a battery swap back about 1998, I had been advised to keep the electrical system powered up so the electronics would not lose their "memory" and the systems would not have to go through a relearning process after battery disconnection.

I don't know if you even have to do the energizing today...any advice? Thanks.

Might depend on the vehicle. Call a new car dealer and ask.
I would think there would be a charged capacitor or something to keep the electronic stuff in memory for a while.
We live some distance from town and took the old battery in from one vehicle with another to save another trip with the old case recently. There was no battery in the car for a couple days and all we had to reset was the clock.
I seasonally take the cables off the GMC truck posts, as well, to clean and lube the posts with terminal lube. There again, only had to reset the clock.
It would be handy if unhooking the battery would reset the time for service and other idiot functions, IMO
But don't do it based on my experience..

 

[JDgreen227]

Might depend on the vehicle. Call a new car dealer and ask.
I would think there would be a charged capacitor or something to keep the electronic stuff in memory for a while.
We live some distance from town and took the old battery in from one vehicle with another to save another trip with the old case recently. There was no battery in the car for a couple days and all we had to reset was the clock.
I seasonally take the cables off the GMC truck posts, as well, to clean and lube the posts with terminal lube. There again, only had to reset the clock.
It would be handy if unhooking the battery would reset the time for service and other idiot functions, IMO
But don't do it based on my experience..

Thanks for input, I ran the battery down on the GMC a year ago and when I recharged the battery with a charger it only needed the clock reset. Amazes me how long batteries last today used to be you might get 2-3 years out of one but both our 2004 GM products are still on the OEM Delcos.

 

[pacerron]

Thanks for input, I ran the battery down on the GMC a year ago and when I recharged the battery with a charger it only needed the clock reset. Amazes me how long batteries last today used to be you might get 2-3 years out of one but both our 2004 GM products are still on the OEM Delcos.

It amazes me how much they have gone up in price
I did find very recently that an OEM replacement battery from the car dealer was a little less than the same amp rated battery at car parts stores.
It pays to call around.
We keep our truck, which doesn't get much use, unless we need the functions of a real truck, on a solid state trickle charger all the time.
All the gizmos and shizmos run an older battery down in time, that just sets a lot, especially in cold winter months. We just plug the charger into a dash aux plug when we park it in the barn, year round now.
I hook the large tractor batteries to little chargers the same way, in the winter. The old tractor has a battery the size of a Greyhound bus battery so I want to keep it going as long as possible. Also use block heaters awhile before starting in winter. There's nothing makes me more mad than an engine that won't crank when I need it! Usually because of my lack of taking proper care of it

 

[Soundguy]

some places sell a lil thing you hook a 9v bat to and plug ion the cit lighter...

 

[pacerron]

some places sell a lil thing you hook a 9v bat to and plug ion the cit lighter...

Right... One weak battery begets another weak 9V battery backup
Time to check your house smoke alarms too

 

[JDgreen227]

some places sell a lil thing you hook a 9v bat to and plug ion the cit lighter...

Soundguy and pacerron, you just reminded me of something....I have a pair of Sears battery charger/maintainers that put out 2 amps at 12 volts. They come with a output cord that has two plug in cords that interchange...one uses standard battery charger clips and the second is a cigarette lighter plug....was planning to use a regular charger set on 2 amps and your posts made me think of my charger/maintainers....thanks much !!! The clips could be used in the engine compartment but the lighter plug setup is more convenient.

The things you guys teach me here...THANKS !!!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a cord that has two male cigarette lighter ends on it about 15' long. I have done this by plugging it into another vehicle or even my jumper pack.

Not sure if a maintainer or charger will work. Many new ones need to sense a load from a battery to stay on.

Chris

 

[JDgreen227]

I have a cord that has two male cigarette lighter ends on it about 15' long. I have done this by plugging it into another vehicle or even my jumper pack.

Not sure if a maintainer or charger will work. Many new ones need to sense a load from a battery to stay on.

Chris

Thanks also for your input....the 12 volt charger I have used in the past is about 15-16 years old...it is an automatic type and can be set to output 10/2/50 amps.

 

[pacerron]

Thanks also for your input....the 12 volt charger I have used in the past is about 15-16 years old...it is an automatic type and can be set to output 10/2/50 amps.

Just be sure you plug it all the way in to the aux socket on the dash before you leave. The little center male pin really does have to touch the contact in the back of the aux socket, as my wife discovered a couple times:laughing:

Our charger/maintainers have indicator lights that show what is going on.
She'd come to the house and say "no lights on the charger" After a couple
hikes back to the barn in the snow with her to push the plug in a bit more and the lights come on, that problem was solved for her by the extra hike experience:thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

I have a cord that has two male cigarette lighter ends on it about 15' long. I have done this by plugging it into another vehicle or even my jumper pack.

Not sure if a maintainer or charger will work. Many new ones need to sense a load from a battery to stay on.

Chris

i agree.. a smart charger not seeing a battery likely won't charge. and a dumb charger on a low load circuit may put out way too high of voltage. ie.. 15-17v ( near open circuit.. ) unless it is a nice (clamped) one... the cabling to another vehicle idea is promising though..

 

[RichZ]

I've gone to Advance Auto Parts for my last few batteries, and they put them in for free, so why should I bother. Before they put in the battery, they have the little gizmo that Soundguy mentioned, a little 9 volt transistor battery that plugs into your cigarette lighter, and keeps the system engergized, so you don't have to reset everything. I was real happy with that.

 

[crazyal]

I usually don't worry about having to reset things. It gives me a chance to see if any new radio stations have popped up. My battery in my 2000 Tundra has finally died. My neighbor is going to pick up an interstate to replace it. I looked around and the price has shot up, maybe doubled in the last 5 years. I think the EPA and OSHA are really clamping down on companies that use lead.

 

[Depmandog]

We had a Honda Odyssey for 10 years. I recall having to input the radio deck security code after replacing the battery. Without the code, the radio was useless, an anti-theft deterrent device. Besides that, the only other thing was a reset the clock time. IIRC, all of the station presets saved.

I suspect our new Pilot will be the same.

Good idea with the 9v device. I didn't realize they existed.

 

[Soundguy]

I usually don't worry about having to reset things. It gives me a chance to see if any new radio stations have popped up. My battery in my 2000 Tundra has finally died. My neighbor is going to pick up an interstate to replace it. I looked around and the price has shot up, maybe doubled in the last 5 years. I think the EPA and OSHA are really clamping down on companies that use lead.

big time. i priced the 78 series batteries that are dual terminal.. as they work in any of my trucks or tractors.. they have jumped about 30$ in a few years..

 

[JDgreen227]

big time. i priced the 78 series batteries that are dual terminal.. as they work in any of my trucks or tractors.. they have jumped about 30$ in a few years..

I use the 78 series in my GMC, recall paying about $75 at Wally World 3 years ago, I bet batteries have not gone up anywhere as near as tires have.

 

[Soundguy]

I use the 78 series in my GMC, recall paying about $75 at Wally World 3 years ago, I bet batteries have not gone up anywhere as near as tires have.

that wallyworld 78$ battery is closer to 98$ now.. I just got one a while back!

tires are funny.

i had been paying about 145$ per tire on my yukon.. but hated the dealer, and the tires rode bad and lumped and knotted.. but wore good. I was in a pinch on time a while back and took the wifes yukon to walmart. got tires for 89$ each.. the rode perfect.. but are wearing fast.. but then again.. i like the ride..a nd the tires was significantly cheaper.. thus the faster wearing may actually average out if you look at price vs miles. if so. and the money is a was on price per mile.. i'd rather have the good rid vs the bad ride..

( tire kingdom is the main dealer around here.. I hate them.. poor service.. )

 

[JDgreen227]

Car is a 2004 Lesabre, GM mounted the battery under the rear seat (passenger side) and it uses a special venting system...

Mr. Monkeywrench quoted me a price of $245....hoping I can find another brand cheaper but it has to have the vent system.

 

[Dmace]

If you have an Advance Auto Parts near you, they have a battery for $136.99 plus you get a $50 coupon for future purchase and Free installation. Couldn't hurt...
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...toCraft-Gold_2130009-P_2916_R|GRPBATTAM2_____