New battery question

I just got my new battery for my fish finder. It is marked on the top 04 15 11. It sounds like I got an old battery. Is this an expiration date? Is there any way I can check it to find out if I got a battery that is in good condition? Thanks Ken

I should add that when I hooked it up to my new Genius charger it showed a 25% charge level.

That's the manufacture date. If you maintain the battery it should serve you just fine. Try not to drain it all the way down because some trickle chargers will not kick on if below a certain low voltage.

I'd return it.  You don't know how long it has been sitting on a shelf in a discharged state.  And storing in a discharged state will lead to sulfation which will reduce battery charge.

http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/articles/139-kayak-fishing-how-to-articles/1538-sla-batteries-demystified.html

-Allen

One for and one against. Is there a load test etc that can be done to figure out if this battery is in new condition? I emailed the vendor to ask about the date but no response yet. Is it normal for them to arrive fully charged? Thanks ken

Is it SLA battery? I would look for a Napa auto parts store or similar place. Same battery I use which is a 7.2 a is around 25 bucks.  Yes it should be fully charged.

One for and one against. Is there a load test etc that can be done to figure out if this battery is in new condition? I emailed the vendor to ask about the date but no response yet. Is it normal for them to arrive fully charged? Thanks ken

You could buy a battery tester, but they are a lot more than the battery itself.  They should arrive fully charged.

-Allen

Sorry for thread jack,
But I found a vender willing to sell me these batteries at a price where I can offer them at the$15.00 ea.
I will get a pic and info on brand, than start a post to see intrest.
Sorry for thread jack.
I agree with Allen, should be full and a little more current date code..... return it.

Return it. The vendor should keep fresh bats in rotated and in stock. That battery has been around for too long and you should take it back.

Good automotive 12V batteries can last like 6-7 yrs, the cheaper ones sometimes go in 3, I've never seen a length of service quote for the little ones we use, like when you buy a 72 month car battery,

With all that said it's 2 years old already, probably worth it to return it.

Good automotive 12V batteries can last like 6-7 yrs, the cheaper ones sometimes go in 3, I've never seen a length of service quote for the little ones we use, like when you buy a 72 month car battery,

With all that said it's 2 years old already, probably worth it to return it.

Lifetime is a also a function of charging profile.  An auto battery spends it life mostly charged.  You'd get a much shorter lifespan if you were deep cycling it often or storing it in a discharged state.  Similar to SLA.

-Allen

First they offered to give me a 50% refund. I explained that I was concerned the battery was sulfated and I bought from them because they said they only sell batteries with fresh date codes. I needed an exchange for a fresh battery or a refund. They said they will refund my money and I can keep the battery. Hopefully the battery will work well enough until I can get a replacement for it. With BSS3 next weekend I don't have a lot of time to be running around or waiting for an online shipment. Ken