battery check

[Dan Aseere]

We all seem to be unhappy with the battery life of a Viper. For a winter project I removed the rear wheel and removed the battery. Both batteries on both cars have a Di-hard gold, I think is Sears best, that are 2 years old. Both were about a pint and one half low on water. Also a chance to re-paint (Rustoleum) the pan. I cut a piece of thin rubber and put it under the battery and this seems to cut down on the pan rust. Should extend the battery life.

 

[RapidTransit]

I thought all new (last 20 yrs)batteries were maint.free and sealed. How did you know the electrolyte level? All the batteries I have cannot be serviced

 

[LaViper]

I have a Sears Platinum Series Battery,(Cost appx. $200.00) 880 cca. & it's the best battery I've bought in yrs. Any Lead / Acid battery should not "Spill" fluid. Most people Overfill 1 or more cells, then when engine is running & battery is being charged, it will overflow,spilling fluid,(water & acid). The top of any battery should always be DRY, if not you will experience a loss of voltage,causing weak cranking RPM's & low battery life, no matter what Brand.

 

[Dan Aseere]

Any battery I have owned has caps. They say maint. free but all get low on water. I top off with distilled water and generally will get 8 to 10 years out of a battery. I have 4 hobby cars and have had this experience with all.

 

[fqberful]

While I'd never recommend die-hard to anyone, some people have luck with them. Too many failures and 1 explosion is enough for me.

The best thing to place under the battery is a product called battery-mat ... It's available at most parts stores and even wally world. The fabric is treated so any spills will be captured and neutralized. The weave is fairly open so water can wick in both directions and it helps keep the rust down. I use this in *all* my vehicles with really awesome results, including my 06 Coupe. If the battery holder has a temp sensor in the bottom, remember to cut a hole so it can stick through and make physical contact with the battery.

--FQB

 

[JohnnyViper]

good to know about those battery mats, i pulled my dead battery out on thanksgiving

 

[Dan Aseere]

Checked the web site for diehard batterys and they recommend checking water level every 2 months and top off with distilled water to bottom of hole. I think the recharging we do on our cars sitting in the garage causes the water to evaporate quicker than normal use. Any battery with a removable cap will use water.

 

[eurowalt]

hey guys just use a battery tender!!!!! Works like a champ on my bikes and viper. Always ready to go and prolongs the life of the battery too. Try it.

 

[ACRSNK]

hey guys just use a battery tender!!!!! Works like a champ on my bikes and viper. Always ready to go and prolongs the life of the battery too. Try it.

What he said.

 

[AZTVR]

While I'd never recommend die-hard to anyone, some people have luck with them. Too many failures and 1 explosion is enough for me.

Just DieHards, or all of the brands that Johnson Controls makes? That doesn't leave much choice?

However, I think that the DieHard Platinum is not a Johnson Controls battery; but is an Odyssey battery which has an excellent reputation and is an AGM battery; so, no liquid water to worry about.

 

[jdeft1]

hey guys just use a battery tender!!!!! Works like a champ on my bikes and viper. Always ready to go and prolongs the life of the battery too. Try it.

Great on the lawnmower too if you have a rider......