Weird Battery Failure

[mswlogo]

I just got my tractor back from dealer installing rear remotes and replacing hydro fluid.

I used it for like 1/2 hr spot fixing the road and moving trailer/boat around.

I then went to go hook up the new implement that I got the hydraulic remotes for.

I must have started it 10 times already.

Get the implement all hooked up and go to start and nuttin. I thought for sure it was some interlock it was not.

Flasher just buzzed on and off with no lights.

So I pulled the battery and put it on a charger. The Green Eye was Green.

The Charger thought the battery was charged.

I temporarily hooked up a boat battery and it started right up.

Hmmm, did dealer break my alternator?

So after a few hours on charger I hooked a heavy duty lantern to it. It was real dim. Then it Went bright and then dim again. When it was dim I could hear the battery gurgling.

The battery just crapped out instantly.

Do these batteries typically fail like this?

I think the battery is like 5 years old. with VERY low hours.

Can any recommend good sources for batteries? Besides the dealer.

 

[2458n]

5 years is all I get out my batteries. I think you may have been ready for a new battery no matter what the dealer did.

 

[whistlepig]

For many years we bought DieHard Gold batteries. Last year the two year old DieHard Gold battery failed in her pickup. Dead cell. Yes they can fail that quickly. All $200.00 worth.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

5 years is all I get out my batteries. I think you may have been ready for a new battery no matter what the dealer did.

If you get 5 years out of battery your doing well. I have had batterys test good and still be the problem. prorated warranties usually only help for about a year. In fl. the first good cold spell gets more batterys than anything else

 

[sandyc]

Yup, it happens. With the lack of shock absorbers on tractors, the batteries take a beating. What you describe sounds like a plate broke loose! If you want the best go with an Optima Yellow or red. They are glass mat and can take a real beating,

 

[oosik]

My batteries normal life is 5-7 years. I've been tempted to get an Odyssey AGM battery. They advertise 3X life span - they are 2X the normal price also. I had a gel cell that lasted eleven years. I always keep an extra fully charged battery around - you never can tell when the tractor battery will crap out. The "green eye" is only good if you are into wizardly stuff.

 

[itsjustme]

Batteries can do weird things...5 years is the average life of most batteries in equipment I've owned.

I had a car battery when I was in college that refused to start the car on Mondays. Rest of the week it started great LOL

 

[jaotguy]

that green eye only ties to one cell ... and shows the fluid level and specific gravity for that one cell .... ( just a float in side a green yellow and black tube ) 5 cells can be bad and the green eye will still show OK ....

 

[deerseeker001]

Thats about what I get around 5 years for a battery.

5 years is all I get out my batteries. I think you may have been ready for a new battery no matter what the dealer did.

 

[Coyote machine]

Get an Interstate battery of the correct size and CCA for your application. I was a dealer for them when I owned my foreign auto shop, years ago. Have selling dealer verify date of manufacturering from code stamped into case of battery by factory to verify fresh stock.
I have two in my boat, 1 in each of 4 Toyotas, 1 in my Scag, ATV, Dr. Mower and Dr. mower trimmer. You don't need AGMs in a tractor, especially for the price. Lack of use is as detrimental to life of any battery, regardless of brand.