Should I perform a preemptive battery change?

I have a battery that will be 7 years old on 9/21/16. I have been using a trickle charger to keep the open voltage between 12.6v and 12.8v (full charge). My question is should I replace it preemptively before winter or just keep using the trickle charger and hope to get a few more years out of it?

 

If you can afford it, i would replace.

 

I'll second that thought if you're worried about it stranding you.

 

I say spare the rod, spoil the child!

 

Mine lasted 7 years, and died without warning.

 

I am replacing mine preemptively this fall. It's original from 2011. Did great last winter, but don't want to trust it through another.

 

My first/last battery lasted for 3 years and was replaced under warranty. I think what caused my first/last battery to fail so early was my replacement billet grill, as it didn't let air flow through as designed and caused an increased temperature, which is more deadly to a battery than cold. I had to get a jump start and I'm trying to avoid being stranded again, so preemptively replacing the battery before winter makes sense, but I might just roll the dice 1 more year. I was going to have AAA do a load test this fall and see what they say.

 

Yeah, I keep hearing anything over 5 years is borrowed time.

 

You got almost 7 years out of it, I say replace it before winter.

 

The more I think about a few winters ago and the freezing temperatures, the more replacing preemptively make sense.

 

If it aint broke, don't fix it.

 

I would rather get the battery of my choice and do the replacement myself on a nice day, rather than being stranded looking for a jump start and my luck it will be the blizzard of the century, with me outside trying to exchange batteries.

 

I'm from MA as well. We had some brutal nights last winter too...my parents live at about 2000 ft elevation and they had a night that was -24 last year.

 

I did. Went AGM; they say it's an 8 year battery. We'll see.

 

I agree. I can get exactly what I want that way.

My mom had a battery die on one of the coldest days last year. I drove up to her house and was watching the temperature drop on the truck's display. Changing a battery when it's -18 and howling wind is not something I care to do again!

 

This is what happened to me too. 7 years is excellent service and pushing it further is a risk. I say replace it.

 

Yeah, that's my worst nightmare, just the peace of mind alone is worth replacing it a little early, plus the extra finger or toe.

 

Where abouts in MA? Berkshire county here.

 

Is it giving any sign of problems? Keeping a constant trickle charge on it is a great way to prolong life. Unless it's acting up, no need to replace. They aren't designed for the same job, but we've gotten decades of service out of solar batteries just by keeping them always charged up to the float point.

 

Essex county, northeastern Mass.