Car batteries are pricey

[Toofast28]

Been off work a few weeks, truck sat 2+ weeks without moving. 2011 Avalanche, 35k miles. When I finally drove it, the voltage meter was reading high. Stopped at my buddies auto shop to see what he though. He hooked up a couple meters, battery (original) is low, alternator is pushing 16 volts trying to make up for it. He recommended a new battery, $175. I'm only 34, and even I can remember when batteries were more like $50.

Oh well, I'll get it swapped out this afternoon and hope that fixes it.

Note: did turn over pretty hard/slow after sitting 2 weeks, and I know battery life is 4-6 years, so not totally unexpected. They're just damn pricey. I think the GPS constantly running (normal) while it's sitting hurt the battery, in addition to it's age. Sounds like a good reason to get a battery tender for next time it sits.

 

[GDPossehl]

You probably could have gotten one for around $100 at walmart. I think a 78 series would work for your ride. Life expectancy on aftermarket batteries are more like 3 years though.

 

[getbent4x4]

You have a battery draw, probably not even a bad battery. btw walmart has 1 yr batteries (most think they should last the same amount of yrs, just less warranty) for $48.88. Your buddy is buddies with your wallet.

 

[Toofast28]

It's an H6, and I don't shop at Walmart for anything. Got an interstate. Priced various ones at autozone, their cheapest was 160 with only a 2 year warranty, had one for $220 with 5 yr warranty.

 

[Toofast28]

You have a battery draw, probably not even a bad battery. btw walmart has 1 yr batteries (most think they should last the same amount of yrs, just less warranty) for $48.88.

The GPS is the battery draw, factory, thing runs all the time on every GM I've seen with it.

 

[jkwilson]

16V isn't from a bad battery. Voltage regulator is bad.

 

[exmaxima1]

Been off work a few weeks, truck sat 2+ weeks without moving. 2011 Avalanche, 35k miles. When I finally drove it, the voltage meter was reading high. Stopped at my buddies auto shop to see what he though. He hooked up a couple meters, battery (original) is low, alternator is pushing 16 volts trying to make up for it. He recommended a new battery, $175. I'm only 34, and even I can remember when batteries were more like $50.

If the alternator is "pushing 16 volts" it will destroy a battery in short order. Sounds like the regulator is bad, and ruined your battery.

FWIW, batteries are very reasonable at Menards here in the Midwest. Just bought a premium Exide on sale for $79 a few weeks ago. Current price is still under $100, and even less if you use the 15% off bag.

 

[Toofast28]

The battery was reading 450 amps, supposed to be 650

 

[theoldwizard1]

He recommended a new battery, $175. I'm only 34, and even I can remember when batteries were more like $50.

He is not much of a "buddy". Interstate batteries at Costco are about $100.

 

[Falcon67]

The decent batteries are just not cheap. If it's an AGM, they run $160~230 around here. That's all I use in the hot rods.

 

[Toofast28]

Before
After

It was the battery, regulators are all digital now, it sensed low battery, pushed more to it to try to "fix" the battery, was never going to.

Bad regulators typically read 17+ volts according to my mechanic.

I suspected the battery all along due to age, cold weather, sitting for an extended period.

 

[Toofast28]

He is not much of a "buddy". Interstate batteries at Costco are about $100.

An H6 will not be found for $100, $175 was with tax & core (I'll get that back when I drop off the old one). I just googled, you can find em $140+ core (and likely shipping) so basically the same price if not more.

 

[kevinwilly]

The battery was reading 450 amps, supposed to be 650

Nobody is doubting that the battery was bad.

But even with a completely dead battery, you should NEVER see more than about 14 volts being fed from the alternator. If it was constantly feeding 16 volts it may have been what killed your battery. Not the GPS.

 

[SARG]

It's an H6, and I don't shop at Walmart for anything. Got an interstate. Priced various ones at autozone, their cheapest was 160 with only a 2 year warranty, had one for $220 with 5 yr warranty.

Except I thought Everstart & Interstate are made by the same company ... (JCI)

 

[Slowgsr]

Keep a battery maintainer on it,

 

[Toofast28]

Except I thought Everstart & Interstate are made by the same company ... (JCI)

Then I got the interstate with a 6 year warranty for the same price or less than the 2 yr warranty everlast.

 

[Toofast28]

Keep a battery maintainer on it,

That's the plan if it's going to sit, already ordered it (needed one for the riding mower over the winter anyways).

 

[tonyciambrone]

I agree with others, that's not how a working voltage regulated alternator should behave.

 

[JJThrasher]

I could have bought an OEM Delco battery for $65. Granted I would have sold it to you for more and charged to install.

Also a bad battery can cause high system voltage. Just depends on how it failed.

 

[tdkkart]

UGH!!! Some of these answers.........

 

[bczygan]

It's an H6, and I don't shop at Walmart for anything. Got an interstate. Priced various ones at autozone, their cheapest was 160 with only a 2 year warranty, had one for $220 with 5 yr warranty.

"A fool and his money are soon parted", my mother used to say.

Everstart Maxx-H6
5 Year Warranty Program (3 Years Free Replacement + 2 Years Prorated)
730 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps)

$117.93†

Bill

 

[Toofast28]

I think a lot of you are unfamiliar with PCM controlled charging systems. They'll push higher voltage if they sense a need (like a bad/low battery). The old "dumb" charging systems used a fixed regulator that was constant around 14V.

 

[JerryB]

Just replaced the NAPA 75 month battery in my 2006 Ford Explorer. Old battery died from a sulfated cell. It lasted exactly 75 months. Replaced with a NAPA 84 month battery. Total end price, including tax, core etc. was $130. They installed it (for no charge) as I was wearing dress clothes. Store manager initially said he didn't know if they had time to install it, but quickly revised that when I offered to go to the NAPA store in the next town (~20 miles) instead of buying it from them.

Recently, my wife's '94 Prelude was cranking slow. Battery tester (free at NAPA) showed it was good, just low charge state. She makes lots of short trips. I put my trickle charger on it over a couple of days and it is now working fine.

I do agree that the OP's 17 volt charge reading is really suspicious, and the price his friend charged is pretty high.

 

[four.cycle]

in the larger picture:
30 years ago a big battery for that rig would have run about $65-$80 (high CCA, long warranty.)
today that battery is about $140-$160.

last battery I purchased at O'Reilly's Auto Parts was $125.

prices are no more inflated than anything else you buy retail. for that matter, auto parts (in general) have not increased in price as much as many other consumer items. (or did you really expect to be able to buy Autolite spark plugs for 79 cents apiece into perpetuity?)

... and the days of the super-long warranty periods on automotive batteries are long gone and will not be back. big class-action lawsuit took care of that. you're lucky (in most cases) to be able to get a two-year warranty from most parts retailers.

(and I don't shop at Walmart either.)

 

[Bluedodge]

"A fool and his money are soon parted", my mother used to say.

Everstart Maxx-H6
5 Year Warranty Program (3 Years Free Replacement + 2 Years Prorated)
730 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps)

$117.93†

Bill

Agreed. An H6 is a 34 series.

$94 at Menards for an Exide. 800 cca. Throw it in their 15% off bag and it drops to $79.

 

[My Old Tools]

A good thing we have zero inflation isn't it. That's what Social Security told Grandma.

 

[thool]

Next time, go to interstate and ask for a blem or reman. They run about half the price of their other batteries.

 

[redmondjp]

Next time, go to interstate and ask for a blem or reman. They run about half the price of their other batteries.

An excellent idea, IF you have such a location nearby.

I have been happily been buying all of my car batteries at Costco for the past 20+ years, except for oddball sizes, like the Group 49 battery I recently purchased at NAPA for my 1997 Passat diesel ($130). Most batteries at Costco are still in the $80-100 range and are now made by Interstate.

 

[countryroad82]

Boy it's funny how some guys are quick to judge on pricing. As for the OP doesn't have his area or anything to tell where they're at. Yes I feel it was priced about $30 more than I could get the same battery but who am I to judge and at the end of the day the trucks fixed so who really cares. As for the comments of buying a Neverstart battery, yeah there's a reason I call 'em Neverstart.

 

[jkwilson]

I think a lot of you are unfamiliar with PCM controlled charging systems. They'll push higher voltage if they sense a need (like a bad/low battery). The old "dumb" charging systems used a fixed regulator that was constant around 14V.

No. A PCM system performs exactly the same as a conventional regulator, except it takes engine operating parameters like temperature and throttle position into account. You still aren't going to see 16V under any circumstances without a hardware failure.

 

[Steevo]

I think I paid that much for two new 72-month batteries for my Dodge Ram last summer.

 

[YukonXL04]

Next time, go to interstate and ask for a blem or reman. They run about half the price of their other batteries.

That's what I do. Get a blem for $60 bucks. Brand new battery with the sticker worn through a little lol.

 

[bczygan]

Next time, go to interstate and ask for a blem or reman. They run about half the price of their other batteries.

We have an Interstate distributor and I called them. If the size you are looking for is available, they told me it is going to be one that sat on a shelf for a year. Price was within a few dollars of the Walmart one with 5 year warranty.

Went with Walmart because of available warranty locations.

Bill

 

[vwgtivw]

TooFast I've seen a lot of bad batteries in the newer vehicles cause this glad you got it fixed right. Some shops would have steered you towards an alternation then told you the battery went bad because of the alternator.
By the way my cost (which is way lower then jobber) for an 84 month Napa(Deka) battery is $122 for a regular acid battery or $155 for an AGM style battery, so you did good.
The days of under $100 batteries are pretty much over(unless you want junk). The new Acid Glass Mat batteries which are in a lot of new cars are starting at $150 my cost and list for about $225.

 

[WhiffySpark]

No. A PCM system performs exactly the same as a conventional regulator, except it takes engine operating parameters like temperature and throttle position into account. You still aren't going to see 16V under any circumstances without a hardware failure.

Yes you can. If you have an under charged battery it will sense it and kick it up. You need to take a lap scope and watch the ripple to determine if you have a bad battery.

Same thing can happen if you're battery wire is shorting out. Alternator will put put out 15 volts but be perfectly fine

 

[theoldwizard1]

I just googled, you can find em $140+ core (and likely shipping) so basically the same price if not more.

Walmart EverStart Maxx $118 5 Year Warranty Program (3 Years Free Replacement + 2 Years Pro Rated)

Sams (Energizer) and Costco (Interstate) don't post prices online, but I will bet they are less than Walmart and have the same warranty and same 730 CCA.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Just put 2 new Motorcraft batteries in the F250 at work, just a tick under $300 for the pair.

 

[theoldwizard1]

No. A PCM system performs exactly the same as a conventional regulator, except it takes engine operating parameters like temperature and throttle position into account. You still aren't going to see 16V under any circumstances without a hardware failure.

Yes you can. If you have an under charged battery it will sense it and kick it up.

The alternator is capable of producing more than 16 volts (not at idle). Whether a modern "charging system" (including the PCM) will allow it is a different story.

I know Ford PCMs try to keep the battery voltage down below 15V even if the battery is heavily discharged (they have proprietary algorithms to determine "state of charge"). Makes the batteries last longer.

Also those battery "blankets"/sleeves help prevent the engine heat from getting to the battery. Heat will actually kill a battery faster than cold.


Want you OEM or replacement "flooded" battery to last longer ?

1. Pull the caps and top off the fluid at least once a year. Most city water is fine, Use distilled if you are on a well.
2. Clean the outside of the battery with baking soda and water and a parts brush at least once a year. Rinse well with fresh water.

 

[Toofast28]

TooFast I've seen a lot of bad batteries in the newer vehicles cause this glad you got it fixed right. Some shops would have steered you towards an alternation then told you the battery went bad because of the alternator.
By the way my cost (which is way lower then jobber) for an 84 month Napa(Deka) battery is $122 for a regular acid battery or $155 for an AGM style battery, so you did good.
The days of under $100 batteries are pretty much over(unless you want junk). The new Acid Glass Mat batteries which are in a lot of new cars are starting at $150 my cost and list for about $225.

He didn't want to even look at the alternator til we tried a battery. It was nearing 5 years on the battery, amps reading 450 instead of 650, going to need a new one soon regardless, and it's supposed to drop below zero starting next week, so let's try a battery first.

If it was the alternator I'd still have to get a battery soon anyways, but if it's the battery then I'm already done. No brainer.

 

[ishiboo]

Been off work a few weeks, truck sat 2+ weeks without moving. 2011 Avalanche, 35k miles. When I finally drove it, the voltage meter was reading high. Stopped at my buddies auto shop to see what he though. He hooked up a couple meters, battery (original) is low, alternator is pushing 16 volts trying to make up for it. He recommended a new battery, $175. I'm only 34, and even I can remember when batteries were more like $50.

Oh well, I'll get it swapped out this afternoon and hope that fixes it.

Note: did turn over pretty hard/slow after sitting 2 weeks, and I know battery life is 4-6 years, so not totally unexpected. They're just damn pricey. I think the GPS constantly running (normal) while it's sitting hurt the battery, in addition to it's age. Sounds like a good reason to get a battery tender for next time it sits.

By "the GPS" I assume you mean OnStar. It will run for 1-2 weeks (I forget) and then it goes to sleep to prevent it from draining the battery.

Your idea of the "PCM" going above a safe charging voltage to "compensate" is completely wrong. It should not be doing that.

No. A PCM system performs exactly the same as a conventional regulator, except it takes engine operating parameters like temperature and throttle position into account. You still aren't going to see 16V under any circumstances without a hardware failure.

Basically, this.

Yes you can. If you have an under charged battery it will sense it and kick it up. You need to take a lap scope and watch the ripple to determine if you have a bad battery.

Mmmm, not to 16v it won't. Or at least shouldn't.

He didn't want to even look at the alternator til we tried a battery. It was nearing 5 years on the battery, amps reading 450 instead of 650, going to need a new one soon regardless, and it's supposed to drop below zero starting next week, so let's try a battery first.

If it was the alternator I'd still have to get a battery soon anyways, but if it's the battery then I'm already done. No brainer.

It's not the alternator, it's the voltage regulator... wherever that functionality is happening.

16 volts is too high for a flooded lead acid battery. At like 15v or less it will start off gassing. What were the water levels? PCM or not, that's above equalization charge voltage and should not be happening. If the battery tested at 450CA, it's sufficiently functional to accept charge. If Ford thinks 16v is acceptable, they're idiots.

At that voltage, your new battery will be damaged. Nobody should accept low battery life or having to add water all the time. So it's not a "no brainer" when you see 16v to replace the battery first. Perhaps it is a dead battery and a ****** charging system, but I think something's up.