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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / May 2007OTP: Car batteries
Any of you know how many times a car battery can be jumped before a new one needs to be purchased? My car has been jumped twice since the first of the year and then both times it has gone so long since being started/driven that it needs to be jumped again. Once it is jumped and driven regularly should it be ok? The battery in it is 3 years old. . . . Donna . . . . 1. ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS...... 2. J.K.M.A. 3. C.c..........C.c..........C.c.........C.c..! > The battery in it is 3 years old. > > Donna Hi Donna, When you past 2 years on an average battery, its starting to get risky. If it is a replacement battery with very high cranking amps and lasted two years,, you might get two more years. The next battery you buy on a car you are going to keep,,, get the highest cranking amps you can get on a battery that size. A person does not have to be towed but a couple of times to pay for the best battery or one trip to the garage to be worked to make a person wish they bought a better battery. Harv > Any of you know how many times a car battery can be jumped before a new > one needs to be purchased? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > The battery in it is 3 years old. I'm no expert. But in a similar situation we've borrowed a battery charger from a friend and hooked the battery up to it over night or maybe a little longer. Driven regularly varies so much from person to person. We get in trouble around here in the summer if we make frequent short trips. The AC drains faster than the car charges. With the price of gas, taking a 50 mile drive in the early morning or cool of the evening doesn't seem as practical as it used to. Jo >> Any of you know how many times a car battery can be jumped before a new >> one needs to be purchased? [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Jo I was under the impression that the AC was run off a belt from the engine, not directly from the electrical system...?  Signaturespammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ http://www.marrow.org/ spodosaurus <spodosaurus@_yahoo_.com> Re: Car batteries <f3b5gg$142i$1@otis.netspace.net.au> >I was under the impression that the AC was run off a belt from the >engine, not directly from the electrical system...? The coolant compressor runs off a belt but the fan still runs off the electrical system and can draw quite a bit of power, particularly when you use the max setting for air conditioning. -- Lyn (filethirteen@shaw.ca) remember..."ASA" in subject line http://members.shaw.ca/Lynuplate/ Donna, My old car sat for almost 4 months. I jumped it once and then let it just sit so it would not start next time I tried. Fellow who bought it just hooked it up to a Hot Start box and it started right up. He drove it home (50 miles on the highway) and it's been fine ever since. My battery was around 5 years old. The previous heavy duty battery lasted me 10 years. If you belong to AAA you might have them come and remove the battery and charge it up at their service station for you. I wouldn't do anything until a few days before you take your test for your license so the car will be all ready to go when you are. Ann > spodosaurus <spodosaurus@_yahoo_.com> Re: Car batteries > <f3b5gg$142i$1@otis.netspace.net.au> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > electrical system and can draw quite a bit of power, particularly when > you use the max setting for air conditioning. How bad does your alternator have to be for this to become a problem? Signaturespammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ http://www.marrow.org/ spodosaurus <spodosaurus@_yahoo_.com> Re: Car batteries <f3cpdu$1jne$1@otis.netspace.net.au> coolant compressor runs off a belt but the fan still runs off the > electrical system and can draw quite a bit of power, particularly when > you use the max setting for air conditioning. How bad does your alternator have to be for this to become a problem? If your alternator is putting out the proper voltage and amperage, the only issue would be how long you ran the car. It takes a significant amount of time to recharge the battery after it starts your car, and if you are using the fan for ac, plus the lights...or daytime running lights the amount of time required will be even longer. When I was driving truck, I noticed that it would take almost half an hour before the ammeter would settle back to normal if I was using all my lights. I'd imagine a car would take a similar amount of time all things being relative. If your alternator isn't putting out the correct values, you need to have it rebuilt or replaced because it will be causing a lot of strain on the other electrical components that are quite (particularly the computer), sensitive to voltage levels. -- Lyn (filethirteen@shaw.ca) remember..."ASA" in subject line http://members.shaw.ca/Lynuplate/ Thanks to all of you for all of your responses and input---I appreciate them so much! Had the car jumped this morning and even the tow truck had quite a difficult time getting it started. He suggested I drive it or let it run for at least 40 minutes and because he had such a difficult time getting it started, he also suggested I get the battery tested as soon as possible. He wasn't convinced that it would hold the charge. He said with his big truck, he shouldn't have had that much trouble getting my car started. OK, so took it over to Sears, since they were opened today and they are also the ones I bought the battery from. They tested the battery and, yep, it was bad. The battery had a full 3 year warranty that just expired in february (figures), but stil had a pro-rated coverage. So, total cost to me was $50.00 including new battery and labor. they only charged me $24.00 for the battery itself and then $29.00 for labor as the way my car is, you have to take out a couple of things to get to the battery to get it out and the new one put in. Also had them check the air pressure in all 4 tires while they had it there. So, new battery and starting off with a full 3 year warranty all over again! I'm just glad to have it taken care of today, as it is supposed to rain and storm for the rest of the week and today it is absolutely gorgeous out! Both the tow truck driver and the fella at sears said that it is far harder on a car to just let it sit for such a long period of time without starting it than it is to start it regularly and let it run for 15 minutes or so. Guess I learned a lesson here. They both said letting it sit for so long is what kills the battery. Donna . . . . 1. ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS...... 2. J.K.M.A. > Both the tow truck driver and the fella at sears said that it is far > harder on a car to just let it sit for such a long period of time [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > . > . Hi Donna, Do you remember how many cranking amps your new battery has? That has a great deal to do with how strong and how long... Harv Hi Harv, I'm not really sure. All I know is that Sears carries the Die Hard brand and they have the regular, the silver, and the gold models---with the gold model being their top of the line model. That is the one I have in my car. It has a 3 year full warranty and then 100 months of prorated warranty, which is why they only charge me 19.99 for the actual battery replacement and then their labor. I have had 3 different people now tell me that leaving a car sit for months on end without starting it is about the worst thing you can do to a battery, so I believe them and have learned a valuable lesson. Don't let you car just sit for 5 months without starting it regularly and letting it run for a minimum of 15-20 minutes each time. Had I had someone do that for me since the first of the year, I probably wouldn't have run into the problems I did. Oh well, live and learn I guess! Thanks, Harv. . . . . Donna . . . . 1. ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS...... 2. J.K.M.A. > OK, so took it over to Sears, The last time I went to Sears was with an electrical problem. Bastards lied about needing a replacement alternator. Said that since my model was so new, there was no rebuilt replacement available and I'd have to pay for a brand new one. Took the car to a hole-in-the-wall independent mechanic and he fixed me up with a new battery that lasted until I stopped driving 6 years later. ... A friend of numnutz tom is in jail for conterfeiting pennies. >> OK, so took it over to Sears, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Took the car to a hole-in-the-wall independent mechanic and he fixed me up > with a new battery that lasted until I stopped driving 6 years later. One of the things I'm grateful for in my life. We have a garage we take the cars to that we absolutely trust. And they have an electrical genius problem person on staff. He is semi retired now, but if its electrical he gets it right. Jo DKGBeeker@webtv.net (Donna G.) OTP: Car batteries <17643-4658ED3C-107@storefull-3118.bay.webtv.net>Any of you know how many times a car battery can be jumped before a new >one needs to be purchased? > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Donna Any battery I've owned has been good for around 5 years. If you start running the car long enough to fully charge the battery...meaning more than short five or ten minute trips, you should be alright. If it keep dying there might be an internal problem with the battery like a loose plate or dead cell and you'll have to replace it. -- Lyn (filethirteen@shaw.ca) remember..."ASA" in subject line http://members.shaw.ca/Lynuplate/ In our experience, it depends A LOT on the quality off the original battery. Mike used to buy cheap batteries from a hole-in-the-wall place in FL just because he liked the place and people. Never lasted more than 2 years. (we had a few heated discussions about this, heehee!) We've had quality batteries recently and they seem to do a whole lot better in all situations, including being recharged and holding that charge, when necessary. Once you have your license back, you might want to take it to some trustworthy place and have them run a battery check to see how good it is. If you have a good, regular mechanic, I'd say go there. You want to get it checked out in the next few months before, sigh...., winter comes back again! SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare Donna, it might be that you are not driving it long enough after the jump, to restore to a full charge and then let it sit for a long period of time. Also except under an emergency situation, when your battery is dead, you should put it on a charger and let it charge. Not doing this will cause damage to your alternator. The next time that you are out and about in your car....take it by the nearest Auto parts store...such as O'Rielys or AutoZone, and they will come out to your car and test it. 3 years for a battery is not that long especially when you are not using it that much. Cindy > Any of you know how many times a car battery can be jumped before a new > one needs to be purchased? [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > 3. C.c..........C.c..........C.c.........C.c..! My car was bought new in 1999, and the original battery just died last year. I was very well satisfied with that! Gwen > Donna, it might be that you are not driving it long enough after the jump, > to restore to a full charge and then let it sit for a long period of time. [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] >> >> 3. C.c..........C.c..........C.c.........C.c..! Gwen, I bought the '99 Buick this year (same as your car) and it still has the original battery in it. It tested at 85% so I'm leaving it in until just before winter when I guess I should replace it. They made them well, didn't they? Ann Yes they did, Ann. And it's a good thing for me. I'll never be able to afford another one! This one still drives and rides like a dream. Gwen > Gwen, > I bought the '99 Buick this year (same as your car) and it still has the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Ann Wow, thanks everyone for all of your input. Here is a little more about my situation. First of all, yes, I do have AAA, so the cost of getting the car started isn't an issue. The battery in the car is the top of the line that Sears sells and I have to dig out the paper work, cause if I remember right, the battery had a 3 year full warranty and then goes to a pro-rate coverage. I know the battery hit the 3 year mark some time this winter (I remember buying it when we had a whole lot of snow on the ground), so I probaly am at the pro-rate thing now. Even though my road test isn't for 2 weeks, the car needs to be started and driven some to get everything working again. I think when you let it set too long sometimes the brakes and such can get a little rusted and need to be used to get them working well again. I want the car to be in good working order when I go for the road test. Friends have volunteered to help me keep it going once I get it started, by driving it and making sure it gets started on a regular basis. I am now physically at a place where I can actually go out and start it myself, even, and then either just sit in it and let it run, lock it up (I have extra keys) and go sit in the lobby and let it run, or just drive it around the parking lots for a bit. (Yes, it has a full tank of gas. Had just filled it before my stroke). If I get it started this weekend, then on tuesday I have someone who will drive it on a half hour to 45 minute trip, which hopefully would allow the battery to charge back up enough. They would then drive it back here which would be another half hour to 45 minutes. Another friend who lives in my building said she would be more than willing to go out and start the car and let it run for a bit any day that I can't get out to do it. Donna . . . . 1. ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS...... 2. J.K.M.A. 3. C.c..........C.c..........C.c.........C.c..! That's good Donna. What it needs are some good long drives. If a friend can take it out on a highway, it would be best. It would be good for you to drive around a parking lot on a Sunday when no one is around, just to get used to driving again. I learned how to drive in a mall parking lot when I was a kid since in those days, malls were closed on Sunday. And there were always a few teenagers with their parents practicing parking and driving, making turns, etc. Go for it! :-)) Carole > My car was bought new in 1999, and the original battery just died last year. > I was very well satisfied with that! > > Gwen Mine is a 2001 and I replaced the battery a few months ago. My new one is guaranteed for 7 years. I have been very happy with all my Saturn parts. I have almost 30,000 miles on my car (yes, that's correct :) and I am going to have to replace the brakes soon, but other than that, the only thing the car has needed was oil changes. Carole > Any of you know how many times a car battery can be jumped before a > new one needs to be purchased? Car batteries aren't actually limited on how many times they 'can' be jumped, but anything more than once in non sub-zero weather is a sign that something is wrong with the cars charging system. > My car has been jumped twice since the first of the year and then > both times it has gone so long since being started/driven that it > needs to be jumped again. Once it is jumped and driven regularly > should it be ok? It may be OK, but the electrical system should be checked out. Needing to be jumped twice in 5 months could be a sign of a loose cable connection or a corroded battery terminal or an alternator that is going bad. > The battery in it is 3 years old. > Donna . > > 1. ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't > all have wings, we call them FRIENDS...... GrampaHugs, Alex, -- Any information is included for informational or entertainment purposes only, is based on my personal experiences & is an expression of my opinion. **************************************************** * Love radiating from 45.10n x 93.30w M/SP Mn * http://home.comcast.net/~apbarna/ * http://goldenmist.org/ahr_faq/index.html * http://goldenmist.org/grampahugs/ * http://goldenmist.org/ **************************************************** There are a lot of things which can affect how long a battery lasts, many of which you can't control. If the battery keeps discharging, it may not be the fault of the battery. There could be a problem with the car's charging system, there could be a short circuit in the car's wiring, etc. Make sure you have a good, and honest, mechanic. The best things you can do is to make sure you buy a quality battery (from a reputable dealer and with a good warranty) and prepare for something going wrong anyway. I carry a portable jump start power pack in my car and check the internal charge regularly (every 3 months or so). That way, I can still get a jumps start if no other vehicle is available. Before you look at the price, check out the current rating, features and any warranty. The current rating is more important than extra features, such as lights, power outlets or tire pumps, though those things can help. Your mechanic could tell you what to look for. A couple of years ago, I gave my girlfriend an emergency kit consisting of a jump starter and a canvas bag with a flashlight, traffic triangle (to put behind a stalled car), a reflective safety vest (for getting out of the car on the side of the road), a tire gauge and some work gloves. I would recommend a similar kit for anyone who drives, and hope that they never need it. Even if you can't do the work yourself, a passenger or passerby can help if you have the tools.
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