Best car battery and strategies for Florida heat.

[shurur]

I've done some research.
Apparently there are only three battery mfgrs left: Exide, Johnson Controls and East Penn.

The East Penn Deka gets high marks, others are saying just get a 5 year warranty and replace it for free after three years...and wonder how that works with getting it checked regularly and documenting its history...

Both the Mustang and the Audi have 2009 batteries......

The Mustang battery has been drained twice because the car just sat in the heat.
It needed a boost this last time that I came down here for good.

What do you folks do about batteries?
I don't like the idea of buying a new battery every 2-3 years..

Thanks

 

[Brutal Metal]

I use a duralast red top in the Cobra, always on a floating battery tender in my garage..
Sounds like you have something drawing current when the car is turned off..

 

[shurur]

I use a duralast red top in the Cobra, always on a floating battery tender in my garage..
Sounds like you have something drawing current when the car is turned off..

Next to this last time it sat 9+ months nothing attached...but in the heat with no one starting her. This last time was a year+ with the phone charger plugged into the lighter. The battery is a 2009...

A tender is a no go. I live in a apt complex. No more working on my own car either.

Thanks.

 

[YJSONLY]

Unhook the battery cables. Why in the world is a car sitting for 1 year? What about putting it in a storage shed?? Then it will be out of sun and could hook up a batt charger....

 

[shurur]

Unhook the battery cables. Why in the world is a car sitting for 1 year? What about putting it in a storage shed?? Then it will be out of sun and could hook up a batt charger....

Storage was not an option, car had cover.
Someone was going to start it once in a while..but never did...

Battery cells full but for one cell that was down 3/4".

Living in an apt complex. Storage not an option.
Wish I could, then I could work on it too.

I can keep it covered though.

Will probably get a battery booster....maybe a tester.

And now that I'm in FL full time, I can drive her on weekends..but ythe batteries are both 2009.

Still..as I understand it, batteries last only about three years for folks in my situation..

I'm looking for a new battery and strategies going forward.

 

[oldmodman]

I have been buying my batteries at Costco.

Instant cash refund at any time before the end of the third year. At the return desk. No questions asked.

Then just go over to the auto dept and get another.

 

[YJSONLY]

With heat the water level will dissipate. I wonder how a gel cell would hold up? Issue here is price.

 

[Triscrum]

If your not driving it often I would take the battery out when not in use and put it on a tender inside. That's what I do for the Montana winters they really take a toll on batteries also

 

[sunburned]

I get Sears Diehard Platinums for my jeeps. AGM and hold their charge for forever. 5 year replacement warranty too.

 

[03cobra#694]

Batteries here last about 3 years in my DD's, and you can almost count on them crapping out at that time frame. No hint, they just die.

 

[MFE]

It's not the ambient heat all by itself that gets them, it's driving them in the heat, especially if you're idling a lot. With the A/C going and the fans running, the charging systems often can't quite hold up, so the batteries provide the crutch until the engine speed comes up again and the charging systems can run on their own. The frequent charge/discharge cycling is what gets them over time.

 

[rktsci25]

I put a redtop in mine a little over a year ago and haven't had any issues, before that I had an autocraft silver from advance that lasted a little over 3 years IIRC. I'm going to be a bit tweaked if my redtop fails at 3 years, then again I don't have A/C so I should get more time.

 

[VirtualSVT]

yeah straight heat isn't the killer. It's the high underhood temps while driving plus the strain of a overloaded charging system.

I have a redtop that is over 6 years old and works every day. If you're gonna park for awhile pull the battery and put it on a tender. Gotta keep the chemical reaction going somehow.

 

[_Snake_]

Another vote for the Diehard Platinums. They've outlasted every other battery I've had in my F-250, which includes Motorcraft, Interstate, and Optimas.

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

I buy something with a 3 year full warranty and pro-rated after that, 3 years is what you get out of most batteries down here.

I went through quite a few red tops under the warranty, I wont buy another anytime soon, if ever

 

[black92]

I put an Everstart Maxx into my Explorer and it's going strong 5 years later.

 

[SID297]

I've always had good luck with Motorcraft. However, if you want to spend some coin you can't go wrong with Odyssey.

 

[03cobra#694]

I put an Everstart Maxx into my Explorer and it's going strong 5 years later.

But you live in Kansas, not Florida Toto.

 

[03cobra#694]

I put an Everstart Maxx into my Explorer and it's going strong 5 years later.

But you live in Kansas, not Florida Toto.

 

[black92]

But you live in Kansas, not Florida Toto.

Correct. However, it's gets hot and cold here