How long did your stock battery last?

Red500

Red500

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fwiw: for the guys who use a maintainer all the time - I think it will mask an aging battery. You'll leave on a ride not knowing the battery only started the buggy with a surface charge, you'll get miles away from the trailer and it'll fail suddenly. Or so you'll think. When in reality, it had been failing for quite a while but that was just an illusion.

I know maintainers have the reputation of prolonging battery life but I'd rather know the battery can hold a charge from week to week without artificial support, that way the battery will fail in camp instead of miles out. If you have a high parasitic draw, a maintainer will hide that too.

Just my humble opinion, as you were -
You are absolutely correct, but I never ride alone, and always carry a small set of jumper cables. I know it is going to fail soon, but the longer I can wait to tell the wife I have to spend money the longer I have to live.
 
PJon

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5-1/2 years now and still going strong. I did have to put it on a charger for an hour this past summer after it hadn't been started for about 3 months. I keep a jump pack with me just in case.
 
EMAW

EMAW

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3 wheel bearings? You mud a lot?
Not really, we’re retired and we have enjoyed traveling to ride in multiple states….
I have no problem replacing a w/bearing, if it’s questionable or a weak battery with no parasitic draw. 21st century product production is all about quantity not so much quality! IMO
 
Scoop

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fwiw: for the guys who use a maintainer all the time - I think it will mask an aging battery. You'll leave on a ride not knowing the battery only started the buggy with a surface charge, you'll get miles away from the trailer and it'll fail suddenly. Or so you'll think, when in reality, it had been failing for quite a while.

I know maintainers have the reputation of prolonging battery life but I'd rather know the battery can hold a charge from week to week without artificial support, that way the battery will fail in camp instead of miles out. If you have a high parasitic draw, a maintainer will hide that too.

Just my humble opinion, as you were -
I run 2nd batteries and an isolator on both machines. Both are always maintained and I can always jump the primary from the aux. The chance of both failing miles from camp (due to masking by keeping a maintainer on them) is likely astronomically low, and the isolator will keep a one from killing the other. Meh.
 
Dirtstiffs-1000

Dirtstiffs-1000

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I run 2nd batteries and an isolator on both machines. Both are always maintained and I can always jump the primary from the aux. The chance of both failing miles from camp (due to masking by keeping a maintainer on them) is likely astronomically low, and the isolator will keep a one from killing the other. Meh.
Agree, didn't think it worth mentioning.
 
CID

CID

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I run 2nd batteries and an isolator on both machines. Both are always maintained and I can always jump the primary from the aux. The chance of both failing miles from camp (due to masking by keeping a maintainer on them) is likely astronomically low, and the isolator will keep a one from killing the other. Meh.

Agree, didn't think it worth mentioning.
Not everyone has dual batteries.
 
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Scoop

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Not everyone has dual batteries.
Not everyone has fire extinguishers in thier homes, either. You have to make wise choices and be prepared for the unexpected. 😉
 
CID

CID

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Not everyone has fire extinguishers in thier homes, either. You have to make wise choices and be prepared for the unexpected. 😉
Where's the fun in that? - Safety Third - :cool:
 
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