Time for a New Battery - Cost + Installation - Sydney

Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 16:49

Just wondering if anyone has had recent experience in with getting a new battery installed. My car/battery is quite old and I had noticed in the last few weeks that when I started it, it sounded a bit flat but put that down to me not using it as much as during WFH. I then went to use it a week after the last 30 minute drive and noticed it was completely dead.

I have a jump starter that will tide me over but I know that's just borrowed time.

I think its the battery, rather than the alternator but I have no way to check. I had a service recently but I'm guessing they don't check the battery or alternator during a service?

Can anyone suggest the best way to get the battery checked, + new battery installed? I've priced the battery at about $154 new (cheapie I guess) but I don't think I could put it in myself. I don't have NRMA or any other roadside assistance.

Thank you for your help :)

Automotive Car Battery Rechargeable Battery

Comments

  • brendanm on 22/11/2020 - 16:53
    +4

    Drive to a battery shop/Supercheap etc, they will supply and fit it.

    • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 17:06

      Thank you :) I phoned Supercheap & the cost is either $200 (small battery) or $240 (bigger battery) plus $15 for installation

  • HA on 22/11/2020 - 16:55
    +2

    Supercheap test it for free, and if any problems will point you in the right direction. Sometimes all it needs is a charge overnight (where you leave the battery overnight) and its good to go in the morning - which is also free.

    • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 17:06

      Thank you :) I phoned Supercheap & the cost is either $200 (small battery) or $240 (bigger battery) plus $15 for installation. I forgot to ask about the overnight charge but I guess I can find out when I get there. Oops!

      • Brodo Faggins on 22/11/2020 - 18:19

        I've done this before - saved me $200 on a new battery.

        My old one was just flat, removed it from my car and took it to SuperCheap for an overnight charge. Battery was still functional, just needed a charge. All for free!

        • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 19:27

          That's pretty good! Do you remember how old the battery was?

      • HA on 22/11/2020 - 18:40
        +1

        Installation is super simple, watched a quick YouTube video and bought a $2 spanner from them and did it in about 10 minutes!

  • ihbh on 22/11/2020 - 17:14

    Weight up Supercheap, etc. costs with NRMA battery cost plus roadside assistance membership (annual/monthly) - have to wait 48 hours, but they come to you with battery options.

    • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 19:25

      Thank you, I will give them a call. I have been thinking about NRMA since my car is older but I wonder if they do the battery even if you aren't a member?

      • gbarlett on 23/11/2020 - 08:18

        They do however you are charged a non member fee on top of the battery cost. Not sure what the fee is.
        installation is free to members.

  • SF3 on 22/11/2020 - 17:39

    How old is the battery or when was it last replaced?

    • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 19:39

      I wish I knew 100% for sure but I feel that its about 10 years old.

      • Euphemistic on 23/11/2020 - 14:09

        It would normally have a date marked on it somewhere indicating how old.

  • hashtagbargain on 22/11/2020 - 17:56

    Consider supporting a local independent auto electrician. I found my guy local and have been referring him to all my contacts. Honest pricing, great service and you get the satisfaction of having supported a small business owner. Good luck!

    • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 19:16

      I would like to find someone honest, I'm not quite sure about my mechanic. Thank you for the idea :)

  • SnoozeAndLose on 22/11/2020 - 18:33

    If the alternator is dead, you can't even drive your car for more than few hundred metres.

    I would buy Supercheap auto gift card and get them install.

    They sometime run promotion for 25% off, don't know if you can wait. May be on back friday?.

    • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 19:22

      I've driven the car twice since it died completely, charging it with my lithium jumpstarter. It drove fine until I turned it off again. I drove for 20 minutes, had a 1 hour stop and it was completely dead again when I got back to it. I've had a jump start maybe about 2 years ago (when I left my lights on) and then 20 minutes was enough to charge it for it to start again the next day.

      Hey a gift card sale is actually a really good idea! It's in its parking spot so I think I can wait! Thank you :)

      • SnoozeAndLose on 22/11/2020 - 19:52

        Your alternator is able to charge the battery is just cant hold charge

        You can get 8% gift card from Suncorp

        and normally they have 20-30% discount on the battery from time to time.

  • Seraphin7 on 22/11/2020 - 18:36

    Seem to recall the last one I got was in the $200 - $250 range including delivery and installation.

    • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 19:24
      +1

      Thank you Seraphin7, its good to know roughly how much it costs. :) guess it hasn't missed a beat since then?

      • Seraphin7 on 22/11/2020 - 19:41

        I get about three years out of a battery. Just become used to this expense on that sort of cycle.

  • Zephyrus on 22/11/2020 - 19:39

    Installation is easy, you just need a spanner to loosen a bolt.

    You can also get batteries from Bunnings, I've found they're quite cheap there.

    • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 19:43

      I found my battery for $154 at Bunnings so I would save $100 on that one. I dont think I need a top of the range one. Is there just that one bolt across the top, and the battery terminals that hold the battery where it is?

      • Tnetennba on 22/11/2020 - 20:02

        Yep, super simple. Just google it for your car, most models will have some kind of video. An idiot can do it.

        • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 21:23

          There's hope for me then lol thank you!

    • RockyRaccoon on 22/11/2020 - 20:11

      Depends on car, you can lose all your settings (Like Radio presets) unless you have something to keep these alive, through the OBD2 port.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2wTgnIwuVM

      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OBD-Vehicle-ECU-Emergency-Power-…

      You can power this from your lithium jumpster

      also Repco has 25% off on batteries

      https://www.repco.com.au

  • Spooked on 22/11/2020 - 21:24

    Ooo thank you I will have a look! The radio has been resetting everytime I turn the car off anyway so it doesnt matter. :)

    Oh its auto club members only and ends today, doh!

  • PoKGuy on 23/11/2020 - 09:45

    What car is it ? (surprised no one has asked)
    Find your battery here: https://www.supercharge.com.au/find-a-battery/

    Do a google / Ebay search to see how much it costs.
    Battery costs depends on size, CCA (cold cranking amps), light/normal/heavy duty, brand, etc…

    Places like Battery World, Supercheap, Autobarn, Repco, will supply, replace and dispose of your existing battery.
    If I get 3-5 years out of a battery, then it's done its job.

  • OzHunterNSW on 23/11/2020 - 12:16

    STOP…… the battery sounds reasonable….. installation is simple.

    You undo one connector, then the other, pull the battery out, then install reversing sequence.

    how hard it that?

    • gbarlett on 24/11/2020 - 09:08

      yeah simple, maybe if the car was carbureted and had ignition points.
      do you know what connector to remove first and why?
      do you know how long you wait before disconnecting the battery after turning the ignition off (if you remember to switch the ignition off)?
      What about cleaning terminals, are you going to install a new battery with dirty terminals?
      What procedure do you follow after reconnecting the battery to ensure you have no issues with the engine management system or other vehicle systems.
      i see a lot of blown modules, display units, instrument clusters and damaged electrical circuits from people changing their own battery and because it aint that hard..

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