D4 Start Battery from Bunnings Exide 900CCA

[Dudela]

Just wanted to share my battery purchase which is an experiment however all going well after a couple of days.

The factory battery failed this week after 5 1/2 years, somewhat disappointing as I had a CTEK charging automatically every other day. Went to start it recently and nothing, checked voltage at 7V. Tried recovering by charging in parallel with another battery which bought it back to >12V would start the vehicle but dropped to 8.55V and would not hold a charge for long.

Looked around and the AGM price is up ~$450 and stumbled on a standard flooded battery at Bunnings (only the Armadale store gets them in WA otherwise have to deliver). The Exide website selects a XDIN88MF Extreme, 810 CCA, SMF CAL but looked around on the site and found the Exide Extreme XDIN88HMF link below with the same dimensions as the factory one with 900CCA and 36mth warranty. If I can get >3 years it will work out ok when compared against the AGM. I use a portable Aux battery so I can use it in and out of the vehicle so no additional loads on the start battery.

Cranking Voltage Health Condition
8.55V Low Voltage (old battery)
10.41V Voltage OK (1st start with battery cold engine been in garage for a week)
10.85V Voltage OK
10.81V Voltage OK
IMG_1038.jpg

Exide Extreme XDIN88HMF Vehicle Battery | Bunnings Warehouse

[drivesafe]

The factory battery failed this week after 5 1/2 years, somewhat disappointing as I had a CTEK charging automatically every other day.

Exide Extreme XDIN88HMF Vehicle Battery | Bunnings Warehouse

Hi Dudela, and 5.5 years is not bad for a starting battery.

The Bunnings price is pretty good when you compare it to the $1,000 to $1,100 the Land Rover Dealers are charging!

You could go through 3 of those Bunnings batteries and still be in front.

[Macadamia]

I just bought a SS88TI for $375 based on recommendations here. My car came from a dodgy as **** Melbourne second hand dealer with a 650CCA battery which I had been using for the last four months. It was surprisingly not having battery/power problems... yet. I think only because the battery was brand new and holding charge well but it probably wouldn't have survived a snow trip.

[Dudela]

I just bought a SS88TI for $375 based on recommendations here. My car came from a dodgy as **** Melbourne second hand dealer with a 650CCA battery which I had been using for the last four months. It was surprisingly not having battery/power problems... yet. I think only because the battery was brand new and holding charge well but it probably wouldn't have survived a snow trip.

The battery you purchased looks like the best deal for an AGM, I dont have the Stop/Start on my model so part of the reason I did not go for this type of battery. Although if it was available in my area I would have been making a decision between the Bunnings and the SS88Ti.

[kelvo]

The battery you purchased looks like the best deal for an AGM, I dont have the Stop/Start on my model so part of the reason I did not go for this type of battery. Although if it was available in my area I would have been making a decision between the Bunnings and the SS88Ti.

I don’t think any Australian D4s have stop/start. The SS88Ti is rated for multiple starts and quicker charging, so if used in a ‘non stop-start’ application it will be getting an easier life. I’ve had one in my MY14 D4 for about 12 months now.

[DiscoJeffster]

The battery you purchased looks like the best deal for an AGM, I dont have the Stop/Start on my model so part of the reason I did not go for this type of battery. Although if it was available in my area I would have been making a decision between the Bunnings and the SS88Ti.

All Australian D4 were fitted with, or retrofitted free of charge with AGMs due to the constant current draw and the fast charge times. For a lot of vehicles that do short runs, AGMs are best placed to last and start able to start the car. While you can fit a standard flooded type, if you don’t maintain it and drive longer trips, you may find it offers a short life. Still, at half the price, it’s a close call.

My AGM is about 4 years old since I last replaced it and is down to about 75-80% capacity according to the ECU. I monthly stick it on a multi-stage charger.

[Dagilmo]

down to about 75-80% capacity according to the ECU.

How do you check that?

[DiscoJeffster]

How do you check that?

There’s a State of Charge option. I’ve interpreted the fact it won’t rise above the figures I’ve quoted it indicates the health of the battery. I’ve watched it slowly drop over the years

[Tombie]

What’s with all the guff hanging off of the negative terminal.

Shouldn’t do that on the D3 upwards. Always earth to an earth point.

[Dudela]

What’s with all the guff hanging off of the negative terminal.

Shouldn’t do that on the D3 upwards. Always earth to an earth point.

I purchased this new and apart from the Matson battery monitor the battery compartment is as per the factory. In saying that I never looked all that closely before will open up and have a look tomorrow to see as it looks like a one of the circuit goes from the negative back the negative.