"Sealed" Batteries - Have we been conned?

[Crazy Dazz]

Like many people, I still have functioning lead-acid batteries that are almost a decade old. The batteries on my boat are ancient, but they keep working and because I have multiples, they keep doing the job. Just keep topping them up and charging them.

I've just disposed of a bunch of batteries, all relatively new, and all expensive models, all useless, and all supposedly "sealed".
Except they're not.

They still have vents, which means that gasses and some vapour still escapes.
What they are is non-refillable.

From what I could tell, from the translucent models, they were all low on water. I toyed with the idea of drilling holes in the top, but couldn't think of what to use as plugs.

Supposedly technology has moved beyond the need to top up batteries, and perhaps for some it has, but clearly not for these.

[roddy1960]

I've pretty much always used Century batteries but lately I've not done that well out of them . They're a sore point for me . Next time I might try something else ..like Delkor or whatever .

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

I've pretty much always used Century batteries but lately I've not done that well out of them . They're a sore point for me . Next time I might try something else ..like Delkor or whatever .

yeah, me to. Not as good as they once were.

[falconhell74]

If you want a truly sealed battery you need to get an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by falconhell74

If you want a truly sealed battery you need to get an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery

Make sure they are suitable for automotive general use or for your vehicles specs., seen plenty of numpties using the wrong type AGM battery wondering why they fail prematurely.

[Electrolyte Burns]

If they were looking low then it's entirely possible they were being overcharged.
Sealed batteries should not go as high in Voltage when charging.

[arronm]

No use telling us. Tell Ford.

[Itsme]

The average car battery life span these days is about 4 to 6 years, if you get more then consider yourself lucky.

How often do owners check the Alternator, wiring, battery, cables & connections for maintenance? it would have to be the most abused bit of equipment in a car for regular maintenance.

Cheers.

[Franco Cozzo]

For what ever reason my LV Focus kills batteries every 12-18 months ever since I bought it new off the showroom floor, may be because of diesel engine though with vibrations, tight engine bay, heat etc.

Retrofitted the big-*** DIN85L into it which has another circa 200CCA capacity about 2 years ago, its starting to get a bit slow to crank in mornings.

The thing with non sealed batteries is 99% of people didn't maintain them anyway so its a moot point.

I'm big on Century - anything with the yellow and blue case is Australian made, but I've moved to ACDelco, out of all the cars I've replaced batteries on - AC Delco have consistently lasted the longest.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

The thing with non sealed batteries is 99% of people didn't maintain them anyway so its a moot point.

I've been using them for a RAP system, in my case they do get checked regularly.
With the older Century 200amp "Truck and Farm" I usually get 10-12 years out of a system like this because they can be maintained.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

I've been using them for a RAP system, in my case they do get checked regularly.
With the older Century 200amp "Truck and Farm" I usually get 10-12 years out of a system like this because they can be maintained.

They still have a range of non sealed industrial batteries:

https://www.centurybatteries.com.au/.../8d-n200z/info

https://www.centurybatteries.com.au/...ery/c1275/info

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

They still have a range of non sealed industrial batteries:

https://www.centurybatteries.com.au/.../8d-n200z/info

https://www.centurybatteries.com.au/...ery/c1275/info

Yep that's them, look a little big shorter now, They were originally called, "T and F", then heavy equipment now just HDuty. Big wide 11 platers perfect for solar, wind.

[DJR-351]

Just replaced the house bank on the boat, 8 x Trojan 105s 6v 225ah Deep-Cycle Flooded, next time i'll be giving AGM's a shot......

For the engine i bought 2 Century 780 Marine Pros N70ZM, supposedly maintenance free, will see, previous ones where 6 year old Century 720 Marine Pro's......

[GO FURTHER]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

The thing with non sealed batteries is 99% of people didn't maintain them anyway so its a moot point.

I'm big on Century - anything with the yellow and blue case is Australian made, but I've moved to ACDelco, out of all the cars I've replaced batteries on - AC Delco have consistently lasted the longest.

Listen and learn from this man, he's an auto electrician by trade, and he knows his stuff.

[asimplelife]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I'm big on Century - anything with the yellow and blue case is Australian made, but I've moved to ACDelco, out of all the cars I've replaced batteries on - AC Delco have consistently lasted the longest.

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

Listen and learn from this man, he's an auto electrician by trade, and he knows his stuff.

Well I have and bought an ACDelco AU22R520SMF today over the Delkor 22EFR-520, Century and SuperCharge Gold.

No special deals from a VIC R&F batteries for $172.
I just didn't have time to go shopping but I noted the following better prices online;
This great price at Grow Energy Cheltenham $125
And Victorian Battery Company in Mt Waverley? $148

[asimplelife]

Originally Posted by asimplelife

Well I have and bought an ACDelco AU22R520SMF today over the Delkor 22EFR-520, Century and SuperCharge Gold...

I've bought 2 of these ACDelco AU22R520SMF in recent years for my fleet of AU falcons :(
I also have an older one of these and a few other brands like Lion, Century and RACV. None of the cars get driven much (surprise) although they all get started and run at least every couple of weeks. And if a battery sounds a little sad, I give it a recondition with a Projecta battery charger, which always seems to provide an improvement.

Anyway, I have to say these 2 newer ACDelco's don't feel like they are going to last as long as the other older batteries. Which is disappointing. So I'll be trying another brand next time.

[arronm]

Batteries are now sealed like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJdPTLZees0

This is the century battery I use to buy. They dont make it anymore , they are now FULLY sealed. Now I will buy AGM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4StoOMsrBw


Not like this anymore.

[XP6]

"I'm big on Century - anything with the yellow and blue case is Australian made"


Yep, I refine and blend the custom lead alloys they use for the plates

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by XP6

"I'm big on Century - anything with the yellow and blue case is Australian made"

Yep, I refine and blend the custom lead alloys they use for the plates

Yeah agree, like I said earlier, those 11 platers are better than any so called "Solar Battery" others are selling at 3 times the price.

Double thumps up to Century for still being Aussie made.

[XR815]

Originally Posted by XP6

"I'm big on Century - anything with the yellow and blue case is Australian made"


Yep, I refine and blend the custom lead alloys they use for the plates

Same here. all our replacement batteries are Aussie made Century

[gregaust]

http://www.lionbatteries.com.au/

I had a bad run of century many years ago, 3 in 6 mths ..

Had a few of these lion batteries now last just on 10 yrs

[roddy1960]

Currently I have a new Century in the XR6 . (67 MF) with 640 cold cranking amps. The one in it when I bought the car in 2016 was a Delkor 22EFR 520 . No worries yet of course as it's only about 4 months old .

In the AU it's on it's third Century in the past five years. Last year I put a 67 in it , same as XR6 now. I have pretty much always used Century but if either of these fail too quick I'll consider something else . I reckon at least three years isn't unreasonable . Hopefully that'll happen with the current ones . My Honda has a Delko in it. Had the car since late 2016 and has not shown any sign of a problem .

[gregaust]

I've also got a couple Optima red tops . Oldest is 8 yrs now , other is near 5 yrs

[arronm]

Century is 36 mths warrenty. New for old.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by arronm

Century is 36 mths warrenty. New for old.

36 months warranty really only covers manufacturers defects, a battery should last a LOT longer that three years.

I have not read all the replies, but I had the exact same thoughts the other day when I serviced one of my cars, which was fitted with a 'sealed' battery before I bought it a few weeks ago.

I scratched my head and cleaned the battery posts, inspected and cleaned alternator wiring connections and left it. Did not really like it, as I normally check my batteries, top them up and I also add Inox battery conditioner to my batteries, and generally I get up to 10 years and in some cases longer.

My 2007 BF GT still runs it's original battery that it rolled out the showroom with, starts first press of the starter button without issues. I am waiting for it to fail but so far still going without even looking like failing.

[Citroënbender]

Some of the SSB "sealed" batteries I've got, look like they might have accessible cells under the top cap. It's tempting to see if an older one can be prised open without significant damage.

[ozpacman]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

My 2007 BF GT still runs it's original battery that it rolled out the showroom with, starts first press of the starter button without issues. I am waiting for it to fail but so far still going without even looking like failing.

Mate that's an amazing run!

[OzJavelin]

I have nine older motorbikes and all have AGM batteries in them.
If the charging system 100% and they don't have any issues with power drain then the AGM batteries can be OK .... but usually aren't. They don't like being left for long periods even disconnected(?) and they definitely don't like to be discharged.
I hope battery tech for electric vehicles is exponentially better than these things ..

[XByoot]

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

I have nine older motorbikes and all have AGM batteries in them.
If the charging system 100% and they don't have any issues with power drain then the AGM batteries can be OK .... but usually aren't. They don't like being left for long periods even disconnected(?) and they definitely don't like to be discharged.
I hope battery tech for electric vehicles is exponentially better than these things ..

Old bikes?? Come on out with it! What bikes are you into?

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by XByoot

Old bikes?? Come on out with it! What bikes are you into?

Depends on your definition of old? "Vintage Japanese" which means 1960s/1970s/1980s: 1969 Honda CD175, 1971 Suzuki T500, 1973 Suzuki GT380, 1974 Suzuki GT380, 1978 Suzuki GS750, 1979 Suzuki GS550, 1979 Suzuki GT185, 1981 Kawasaki Z650, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ750 .. and a 1994 Kawaski ZR550.

The latest one - GT380 - just on club rego this week .. https://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11475510