Original battery still going after 20 years! L4300DT

[buck12]

Yep there seems to something about original batteries. They tend to go for years whether tractor, lawnmower, ATV, etc but the replacements regardless of what you buy only last a couple of years.

 

[JWR]

You still did not say how many hours on the tractor. My opinion is that lead acid batteries' life is mostly dependent on the number of discharge/recharge cycles it sees. I'm betting you have relatively low hours on it. Regardless, 20 years is up in the "Record" category for sure. I've gotten 10 years out of a Ford truck battery (and even then replaced it preemptively not wanting to start into a 11th winter with it..) but it was also a very low mileage truck.

Of course there are a lot of other factors that put a battery outside the qualifications for a good long life... like extreme mechanical vibration/shock, over heating, abnormal deep discharge, etc. Aside form those extenuating factors I believe the life mainly hinges on number of charge/discharge cycles which builds up scale and debris around the plates, begins to fill up the acid cavity, etc.

 

[SDT]

Yep there seems to something about original batteries. They tend to go for years whether tractor, lawnmower, ATV, etc but the replacements regardless of what you buy only last a couple of years.

The potential problem with OEM batteries is dealer abuse which shortens the life considerably.

Dealers allow stock tractors, cars, etc. to sit on their lots for months or years and NEVER charge the batteries unless the unit will not start. Long periods of nonuse, or worse, repetitive starting to move without allowing the alternator to fully charge the battery, shortens the life of a cranking battery, especially if it is allowed to fully discharge, which is not uncommon in such situations.

When buying a new tractor, I require the battery to be replaced if the if the tractor has been on the lot for months (or the dealer cannot demonstrate that it has not) or if the engine is slow to crank upon demonstration.

SDT

 

[HAR]

I replaced my OEM battery after 10 years (2009) as weather and temps in VT are unpredictable, and I did not want to find out that the tractor would not start on a day that I truly needed it. I had the battery crossed over to an Interstate battery, and that one is still going strong now, nearly 11 years later...I will probably replace it this year, again, not to temp fate...when you amortize a battery over 10 yrs, it is cheap insurance to replace them....anything after 5-6 years is a gift!

 

[mguitas]

Colder ambient temps reduce the chemical reaction rate thus diminishing available current but also tend to increase battery lifetime.

That's what they say at the battery factorys , the cold don't hurt the battery, the heat from the summer knocks the crap out of them. Then when it won't start in the winter, they blame it on the cold.

 

[ultrarunner]

That is amazing... longest I have heard to date... 16 years on the BX I believe... I store the tractor in the basement walkout... so the temp is generally in the 50's year round.

 

[ultrarunner]

I just finished reinstalling the battery in the tractor. I was able to "rejuvenate" the battery to over 70%, increase the CCA and lower the internal resistance by using this method: How To RENEW CAR & TRUCK Batteries & SAVE BIG MONEY! - YouTube I've used this method or a variation of it on several batteries now and it's worked. You will need a charger with a high amp start or charge setting.

We called this cooking the battery in the car business with a high amp charger and timer.

As the battery cooks it is emitting Hydrogen... very flammable so an open area for safety to prevent to high a concentration.

All of the new chargers I have seen have protective circuits... which would prevent current from flowing if no voltage is detected...

 

[Chewwy]

That's what they say at the battery factorys , the cold don't hurt the battery, the heat from the summer knocks the crap out of them. Then when it won't start in the winter, they blame it on the cold.

It probably helps that every tractor I’ve had or am familar with has had its battery in front of the radiator and not in the engine compartment like most cars and light trucks.