Battery replacement time?...

[SilverSport]

interestingly to me...picked up this 2005 GMC Yukon Denali last week...starts just fine...got it home and placed on my Deltran Battery Tender and brought battery to full capacity...driving around the last few days and no issues starting or running anything.

Today I decided to get a better picture of battery health...checked with my multimeter and got a strong 12.8 volts...then I hooked up my Cen-Tech (Harbor Freight) battery load tester...initially shows just like my multimeter until I checked it with a load test...shows just outside the yellow area (but only just) and 11 volts with a load...

does that mean the battery should be replaced???...the battery looks brand new (Autozone Duralast Gold) and I've copied down the embossed codes but haven't been able to decipher the actual date code...if it fails the load test I'd prefer to err on the side of caution and just replace...

what say the Forum???...any thoughts or experience you care to share is appreciated...

Bill

 

[intheburbs]

Auto parts stores test batteries for free. I'd defer to their equipment.

 

[OR VietVet]

The old rule of thumb was that when you load test a battery, if it stays above 9.6 volts for 10 seconds, it is good. If I saw 11 volts, I would not worry. I know my battery is great and I have seen it on my DVOM, drop to 10.6 volts during cranking.

 

[mountie]

If driving in a warm climate.... 3 years max.... get a new one.

 

[SilverSport]

for peace of mind and that I was able to get one at Costco (Interstate) for $99 when everywhere else wanted $40 more...I changed mine out yesterday...

thanks for sharing everyone...more tools for the toolbox (knowledge)

Bill