Frustration with replacement batteries

When I bought my Skidoo Grand Touring the battery lasted 7 or 8 years. When I bought my 350 Honda ATV the battery lasted about the same length of time. Neither battery saw one iota of routine maintenance or upkeep. They sat outside in the garage in the off season with not so much as a recharging.
Now, I've had to finally replace them. The replacement battery lasted about 2 years on the snowmachine and 3 years on the ATV. These batteries also saw frequent charging to maintain them along with a battery saver connected when not in use. The ATV battery was also brought into my basement during the winter off-season so it wouldn't freeze.
So what gives with these things? Are you guys experiencing the same short-lived life span too?

Yes, I am experiencing the exact same thing with my 350 Honda ATV! I never did anything for the previous battery and it was fine until it completely died after probably a decade. The replacement gets babied and I still find it dead sometimes. Piece of junk! I wish Northstar made ATV batteries.

Funny you mention it had to replace the jeep battery yesterday barely 4 years old and without any warning up and died.

Made in China !!

My original battery (AGM type) for my King Quad lasted only a couple years, but that was because of improper initial activation by the dealer (Suzuki even put out a service bulletin to dealers about it). My replacement is still in the machine 8 years later. I believe that batteries are one of those things that you get what you paid for.

Batteries don't just die...most time they are murdered.

Buy cheap, get cheap. Now I didn't say inexpensive I said cheap.

For the guys with the battery chargers/tenders that are having to battery die on them two questions.
1) What is the amp/Hr rating on your battery?
2) What ampere is your charger( or what is it set to), and is it a bulk charger or a three/four phase charger?

I have watched very carefully but I have almost bought exclusively Canadian Tire Cheap batteries now known as Certified and Walmart Every ready and Energizer and I am almost positive that they last only half the time.

I guess I was lucky back a while. I got a real good price on an 86 Honda 350. No spark. Couldn't figure it out. So into the shop it went for a complete check and repair. Well it turned out the sprag bearing had exploded and taken out the stator winding. It needed a new battery too, It was like $130. I've only ever charged it once in 7 years, still going strong. Not sure of the brand offhand. How much are you guys paying for these batteries now?

Cheers

YUASA batteries are made in Japan and sold at Honda dealers for use in their products,exclusively. The rest are Chinese garbage,especially,the ones sold at Canadian Tire and WalMart. Our Honda dealer said that their batteries should only be charged using a 2 amp trickle charge or less and don't be in a hurry.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

Our Honda dealer said that their batteries should only be charged using a 2 amp trickle charge or less and don't be in a hurry.

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There is the best advise you can get. 10% of the Amp/Hr rating or "less".

We have 200 and 100 Amp/Hr batteries in the Tacoma and 4Runner. They only get 6 and 2.5 amp trickle charged when sitting for weeks. In 15 years we have only had two batteries in the 4runner.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

YUASA batteries are made in Japan and sold at Honda dealers for use in their products,exclusively. The rest are Chinese garbage,especially,the ones sold at Canadian Tire and WalMart. Our Honda dealer said that their batteries should only be charged using a 2 amp trickle charge or less and don't be in a hurry.

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I bought a Yuasa and the charger specifically made for it from the Honda dealer. Overrated for sure.

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Originally Posted by rf2

I bought a Yuasa and the charger specifically made for it from the Honda dealer. Overrated for sure.

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Yep! We don't build batteries in Canada,anymore. Sometimes,we have to make the best of a bad situation and accept the lesser of evils.

Replaced the battery 3 times in less than 10 years on my king quad. Finally the last one the dealer asked if I wanted a better battery for an extra $20, and this one works great. Even when my brother used it up north when temps were below -30 it started no problem. I also disconnected the winch cable as the winch wasn't working anyway and dealer also said that they are hard on batteries so not sure which helped the most but no problems since.

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Originally Posted by cantgetright

Replaced the battery 3 times in less than 10 years on my king quad. Finally the last one the dealer asked if I wanted a better battery for an extra $20, and this one works great. Even when my brother used it up north when temps were below -30 it started no problem. I also disconnected the winch cable as the winch wasn't working anyway and dealer also said that they are hard on batteries so not sure which helped the most but no problems since.

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Winches and accessories are hard on batteries( and Alternators)because they can use a lot of amps. All the extra lights, coolers, Radios, Antenna tuners, onboard air compressor, and stuff are hooked to an 8A4D house battery that is isolated from the starter battery. My front winch is the only accessory that is hooked to the starter battery, because the voltage drop is too much if it was hooked to the 4D in the rear.

Looks like a Yuasa battery will set you back at least $150 so one has to wonder if its not more economically feasible to buy an el cheapo for $30, then change it out every 2 years. I'm OK with my Honda 350 as it has a secondary pull start system so even with a stone dead battery it'll still start. Now, yanking over my Skidoo Grand Touring is another matter.

Might be the lead issue. Over 80% of lead is now from recycled sources. Prices up and grade quality down. Can't confirm this fact but have heard there is no current lead mining in progress at this time. All supplies are recycled and surplus. The cheaper the batteries, the longer I can keep lead bullets and fishing weights.

Corporations selling as a health and environment issue rather than a corporation income issue. Sell more batteries while lowering overhead.