Replace a starter battery just 'cause it's old?

[sidechoke67]

Would you replace your boat's starter batter just because it is old? I have a 2001 boat that I bought used last year. The starting battery that came with it has "Copyright 1998" printed the label. It seems to be holding a charge fine, but my brother keeps bugging me to change it so I know where I stand, battery-wise.

I boat in NY's finger lakes - never out of sight of shore. I also have a 2nd battery on board - a 720 CCA deep cycle battery for trolling - and should be able to start the boat on it if the starter battery died. So, it seems silly to me to replace the starter.

What do you guys think? TIA..

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Replace a starter battery just 'cause it's old?

That copyright date is probably the date for when the label was printed. Look for the manufacture date or code to tell how old the battery really is. You may be O.K. to finish out the season but even for a boat eight years or more is getting fairly old.

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Replace a starter battery just 'cause it's old?

Stop by a garage and have them load test it........

 

[JB]

Re: Replace a starter battery just 'cause it's old?

Some folks have the notion that replacing stuff improves the boat/engine, even if the "stuff" was working just fine..

That is usually a waste of bux and too often creates problems that weren't there before.

Remember, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." also includes, "If it works, don't replace it."

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Replace a starter battery just 'cause it's old?

Here is some info from batterystuff.com:
Most batteries have a date of manufacture code on them. The month is indicated by a letter 'A' being January and a number '4' being 2004. C4 would tell us the battery was manufactured in March 2004. Remember the fresher the better. The letter "i" is not used because it can be confused with #1.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Replace a starter battery just 'cause it's old?

I've been wondering this myself. My DieHard starting battery is over 5 years old now. Still working fine....