Truck battery replacement interval

[hidalgo]

Is there a calculation or schedule to help determine the best battery replacement interval for trucks, or is quarterly load testing and result trending the best option.
We are currently replacing batteries on our small fleet
(fire department) every two years and I would like to extend that period.

 

[evelrod]

My dad was a firefighter for 43 years and I recall they had rather primitive aux batt chargers that caused batts to die in short order. With todays electronics and specialized charging systems such as the one I use on my motorhome, it is not at all uncommon to have my batts last 5 years or more. Battery quality and type play an equal role in how long they last but, my bet is your aux charging system needs updating.

Rod

 

[hidalgo]

Thanks Evelrod, I have held the Chief Engineers position for the last 15 months and am trying to develop some best practices to take off from where the past Chief Engineers' preventative maintenace procedures left off. My past discipline was as an Industrial maintenance foreman specializing in mechanical drives and have seen many cases of cost savings from the results of scheduled inspection, specific testing and trending of results to prevent basing replacement intervals on gut feelings or component performance from 10 or 15 years ago. Like you say the current charging systems and storage cells are far superior to those of one or two decades past. What I am trying to find is some supporting opinions to put at ease those on the department who can not comprehend the aspects of testing and trending to determine replacement needs.

I have instituted fluid testing and trending for the engines, tranfer cases, driveline transmissions and pump transmissions, so I am not up against a brick wall, but I have more experience in this area and was better prepared to provide supporting data and case histories.

Our fleet consists of newer Macks and Peterbilts one older ('68)Ford 750 GPM pumper and a Dodge utility van as our oldest pieces of equipment, so fortunatly our front line units use the latest in mobile electrical systems. Hence my hopes of saving tax dollars by not replacing the batteries until they display some sign of deteriorating performance through
testing and trending.

 

[GregLocock]

I haven't got the faintest idea whether it is a good way of testing batteries, or if it would work on truck batteries, but a friend of mine developed and now sells the following device, and is (or at least was, last time I saw him) quietly getting seriously rich.

http://www.csiro.au/csiro/achievem/manuf25.htm

Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[evelrod]

hidalgo---I can say that the battery maintenance can be quite the challange. The aux charge/maintenance system I have installed on my motorhome 3 batteries has successfully kept them in top shape for the last 3 years and I see no problems in the near future. The system I use and several competitive systems (equally good I am told) are available at most RV supply houses and dealerships. It is possible that one of them may suit your needs, quien sabe! I have seen a system similar to the one Greg has indicated (perhaps the same one???) and it sounds like the solution to your problems if it works as promised.

It is a tough call to "...to put at ease those on the department who can not comprehend..."!---I am a firm believer in 'zero defects policy' as I have been in charge of several large corporate PM programs that resulted in substantial savings by preventing a number of total shutdowns due to mechanical breakdowns. Not 100% but, a big improvement over 'runn it till it breaks' philosophy. You have your work cut out for you. Best of luck.


Rod

 

[TheBlacksmith]

Many batteries come with a "warranty" Typically this involves a free replacement period, followed by a pro-rata. Also most cars are sold or traded at a certain age. The battery guys don't want to give away batteries, so you can be pretty sure the battery will last until the average trade-in - the 3-4 year the OEM battery lasts. Once you get past the infant mortality (free period) most batteries, properly maintained should last out the warranty period. So what? - I would look at replacing the batteries between 75 and no more than 100% of the warranty period. I have had most 60 month batteries last over 5 years, but I'm not counting on getting a to a fire on time either.

Blacksmith

 

[hidalgo]

Thanks Smithy, you make a good point to consider the manufacturers warranty period, 75% of which would be an increase already. That should put some minds @ ease.
I agree with you. Any reputable company does not make warranty claims that will put them out of business. Monitoring and trending the batteries through this period should verify battery condition.

Thanks for your time and input.