Factory battery life length

[Chuck FB]

9 minutes ago, bruceb58 said:

If my truck is going to sit for 2 weeks or more, i have a solar panel and a solar controller that suction cups on the windshield. It's a 50W panel and I attach it to the vehicle via Anderson connectors.

 

My experience with  previous new vehicles is that they last 2 to 5 years. I think it all depends on how discharged the batteries have gotten while sitting around either before going into a vehicle or how long the vehicle has been sitting before sold. It's always interesting that the batteries in my new vehicles that last the longest are vehicles I special ordered. They sit around the least before being sold.

 

That's a good rig you have there for maintaining the battery although I realize that would not work well in my situation since its typically parked in a garage or one of the equipment sheds to keep it out of the sun and weather. 

 

I was thinking of that thought as well when you mentioned special ordered vehicles as mine was built in the middle of one month and delivered to the dealer about a month later. I have no idea what the lead time on a battery build to being installed into a vehicle at a factory is but at least its not connected to anything to draw it down and the same theme goes for batteries bought over the counter at whatever retailer as some of them may have batteries kicking around for too long if its not a quick selling item. 

 

One thing I have thought about with the GM conglomeration of that fused assembly that fits over the top of the battery, if an aftermarket battery of the same model type is made to the same dimensions so that the plastic unit fits over the battery correctly as there is no room for error in how the positive connection is locked into place on the cover and the cover even clips onto the edges of the battery if I am not mistaken. Just wondered if anyone had bought a different brand battery with one of these newer trucks and if it fits or is an issue due to that cover.