Long-life batteries

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Mon 5 Sep 2005 23:09
Long-life batteries - Steptoe
Sorry if this is an old chesnut, but as a newish member haven't seen it come up yet.

My Volvo 740 purchased in 1998 is still on the battery I aquired it with. The friend I bought it off didn't fit it, so battery must be at least eight years old, only time it has failed to start car was once when I topped it up, guess I diluted the volts.

I don't suppose this is a record, (does anyone keep cars for this long these days?) so when should I start saving for another battery. The car has only done 230,000 miles so I hoping to keep it for a few years yet.....

Steptoe

One mans's junk is another man's treasure
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Mon 5 Sep 2005 23:45
Long-life batteries - Vincent de Marco
only 230,000 miles ? o n l y huh ?
so that's the answer - such a huge mileage, long distances, little stop&go trips, yes - that might be it.
- - - - - - -
I am the only Pole over here.
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Mon 5 Sep 2005 23:59
Long-life batteries - Colonel Panic
The PANASONIC one in a Mazda I had lasted about 7 years from new, and I just remarked how well it was doing when it went totally dead a week later, so be warned!
Sorry for any typos Im very long sited
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Tue 6 Sep 2005 00:30
Long-life batteries - Aprilia
They're just babies. The Hoppecke batteries (Mercedes branded) factory fit by Mercedes in the mid-eighties - early nineties regularly lasted 10-15 years. I dare say they are a few 15+ year old ones on the road right now. Sadly the company was taken over by an American concern and the more recent batteries don't last as long.
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Tue 6 Sep 2005 06:08
Long-life batteries - THe Growler
I agree. Quietly enjoy your satisfaction about how well your battery has done by all means but do not mention it to others. You may be repaid the following morning, as I was recently, with a litany of rattles and grunts as it gurgles its last.
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Tue 6 Sep 2005 08:10
Long-life batteries - Steptoe
I was hoping to hear that my battery (branded Volvo, don't know origin) was merely middle-aged, however aware of the risks I am incurring by even thinking of it, for some months have been carrying a portable charger/starter.

Vincent hit the nail on the head; in it's long life the car has had one concientous owner (then my pal and myself) who used to tow a caravan between Scotland & Norfolk, had main dealer servicing done in both countries ( hence the battery ) and racked up the first 180,000 miles
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Tue 6 Sep 2005 12:03
Long-life batteries - artful dodger {P}
My last car, a Nissan Micra, that I bought new in 1988 had the orginal battery for 13 years. When I finally changed it the recommended replacement was only two thirds the size. A battery expert commented that this was the minimum capacity and the orginal was over rated, hence its long life. In modern cars there is frequently not sufficient space for a higher capacity battery to be fitted due to space considerations. I would always recommend asking if there is a higher capacity battery of the same size as this will extend the time before a replacement is needed.

For the record there was a debate in Honest John's column in the Saturday Telegraph a few years ago on the longest a battery had been fitted to car. IIRC it was won by a Rolls Royce built in 1913 and still using the orginal batteries.
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