Battery replacement yes/no

[GeorgianBayGuy]

My 09 RS VENTURE GT still has its original Yusa battery from new. I tried to get my dealer to install a new one last fall but he refused (!) saying it passed the load test perfectly. Well guess what, it worked flawlessly last winter. While I appreciate an honest dealer, I'm demanding a new one and can use the existing for one of my small outboards. Am I nuts or is there something to my spider sense? (I believe mainainance is cheaper than repairing)

Looked hard at the lithium batteries at the show but at $350.... It doesn't seem worth it.

Thinking sticking with Yusa and the stronger +300 cranking amp version.

Thoughts?

 

[derrickps]

I do not know but if it is passing the load test and is holding a good charge why change it. If it starts to lose charge slowly then i would change. Not sure i would fix if not broken in this case.

 

[thrasher]

Stick with the high output Yuasa. Battery is five years old. Might as well be proactive and not reactive, and not stuck on a very cold morning while your friends ride away.

 

[GeorgianBayGuy]

Well I hate breaking down. I change the impellors in my boat's I/O every 2 years. The YUSA rep at the snowmobile said 4 years was the operational widow. I am planning to run Northern Ontario in Feb and it can be cold. 3 cyl 1000cc..... Etc etc.

Going to happen, just looking for pointers.

 

[grizztracks]

I'm still running the original battery in my 2008 Nytro. No plans on changing it yet.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Still running the original Yuasa battery in my 05 Vector. 16k miles.

 

[tool_guy]

I've changed the battery on my 2011 Venture. I found that it took a little longer to crank over especially on cold mornings. It's easy to do on your own. No need to have a dealer do it.

 

[MrSled]

Check to be sure the connections are good.. if it load test ok, then trickle charge it and be sure to turn off sled with key not the kill switch for long term storage it will drain the battery...

 

[GeorgianBayGuy]

OK. Can anyone give a reason for Gel over a Regular battery? If so what brand is the one to go for?

 

[Irv]

Still running the original Yuasa battery in my 05 Vector. 16k miles.

Still using mine in my 08, and was thinking about replacing it, but glad to read your's and Grizz's post as I think mine is still in good shape as well. (battery tender every month and it charges quickly)

 

[J1635]

Batteries do and WILL wear down over time acid changes, plates corrode and so on, assuming you take care of it properly by trickle charging in the summer etc etc then theres no reason you cant get 5 years at least, 8 years on the FAR end of the scale, i myself wouldnt go more then 8 years, after this year ill be replacing mine in my 06.

as far as oem vs aftermarket, stick with yuasa, it weighs more but its got more juice for those cold days.

I dont like the lithiums, all my cordless stuff thats lithium just doesnt perform properly in the cold, you can get 2 yuasas for the price of 1 lithium

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Still running the original Yuasa battery in my 05 Vector. 16k miles.

FYI.....I use Optimate 3 chargers.

 

[GeorgianBayGuy]

Bought one the other day. The wise guy in the parts department told me the most important aspect installing a new battery is reading the instructions, specifically putting the new battery on a trickle charger for 12 hours after adding the acid and not just installing it in the machine. My kind of advice.

 

[derrickps]

I have never needed to add acid to a battery i have purchased. When you buy a new battery the shop should have it ready to go when you pick it up. The battery shop i deal with does this but all they sell are batteries.