Battery Again???
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 80
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Thanks everyone and this is my thought too. We only have the one vehicle so I will need to find some time to have her down and a friend to take me to have it tested. I may try in truck test first.
So I charged the battery forever and drove around all day on the highway from here to there and it's still at 12.3v when I get home. I will try to go to napa this week for a test.
I have no aftermarket equipment or sound systems. Just stock everything. Seems like there is a draw somewhere but I can't seem to find it. Suggestions on how to trace something as crazy as this. I would imagine a shop would charge a lot for this. I am running the original alternator but while running is is 14.3 or so at the battery terminals so I think it's still working.
Thanks guys for helping me.
So I charged the battery forever and drove around all day on the highway from here to there and it's still at 12.3v when I get home. I will try to go to napa this week for a test.
I have no aftermarket equipment or sound systems. Just stock everything. Seems like there is a draw somewhere but I can't seem to find it. Suggestions on how to trace something as crazy as this. I would imagine a shop would charge a lot for this. I am running the original alternator but while running is is 14.3 or so at the battery terminals so I think it's still working.
Thanks guys for helping me.
Sounds like its still working to me. Need to get the truck tested for a draw. See if something is running the battery down.
Moderator (Ret.)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9,460
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Thats weird. A shop should be able to do a draw test and test the alternator. Our shop does it. For free. haha So see if you can get them to do that.
I currently run an optima yellow top in my truck. Actually the second one. I just replaced mine again. First one lasted about four years. And i run a lot of aftermarket stuff.
I currently run an optima yellow top in my truck. Actually the second one. I just replaced mine again. First one lasted about four years. And i run a lot of aftermarket stuff.
'08f150stx
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 16
From: Wisconsin
I just read the post about your wife getting stuck. What a helpless feeling when you are away!!! If it were me, and i was not home, I would have EVERYTHING checked so it wouldn't happen again! Good luck, I hope you have found the gremlin!
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,030
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
[QUOTE='08f150stx;1107308]Put a charge on the battery and take the battery in to a parts house for a load test.
Volts are needed, but the power is rated in amp's.
Yes- you need to check the amperage. My wifes car would not start once. I got it jumed and got it home. I used a voltmeter and it showed 12.5 volts. I'm like what the h#%$. I grabbed my load meter and that thing droppped to 4 volts. Many auto part stores (wll I think Nappa at least) carry a hand held amp guage which you simply put on top of the battery cable and will read the charge amps going to the battery. Check the electrolyte in the battery if it has caps. Ifit is low, your alternator may be over charging your battery causing the electrolyte to boil off.
Volts are needed, but the power is rated in amp's.
Yes- you need to check the amperage. My wifes car would not start once. I got it jumed and got it home. I used a voltmeter and it showed 12.5 volts. I'm like what the h#%$. I grabbed my load meter and that thing droppped to 4 volts. Many auto part stores (wll I think Nappa at least) carry a hand held amp guage which you simply put on top of the battery cable and will read the charge amps going to the battery. Check the electrolyte in the battery if it has caps. Ifit is low, your alternator may be over charging your battery causing the electrolyte to boil off.
Last edited by JimFX4; Oct 4, 2011 at 02:50 PM.
Thread Starter
2012 f150 screw fx4
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: Dover, Delaware
Well, NAPA tested the battery and alternator. They both tested good but the battery test said good-recharge. I don't know why as I charged it all night and drove 20 minutes down the highway to NAPA.
I am going to have to figure out how to test for parasitic draw. Google and f150forum search....here I come. Thanks for the advice from everyone.
-Michael
I am going to have to figure out how to test for parasitic draw. Google and f150forum search....here I come. Thanks for the advice from everyone.
-Michael
Thread Starter
2012 f150 screw fx4
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 1
From: Dover, Delaware
Originally Posted by Michael7166
Well, NAPA tested the battery and alternator. They both tested good but the battery test said good-recharge. I don't know why as I charged it all night and drove 20 minutes down the highway to NAPA.
I am going to have to figure out how to test for parasitic draw. Google and f150forum search....here I come. Thanks for the advice from everyone.
-Michael
I am going to have to figure out how to test for parasitic draw. Google and f150forum search....here I come. Thanks for the advice from everyone.
-Michael
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Cary, North Carolina
Stating you run "a lot of aftermarket stuff" may be your identification to the problem. What is the amp rating (cold cranking amps) of the battery? The alternator may not be able to keep up with all of the accessories draining off of the battery. Check into a "heavy duty" type alternator, which has a higher output charge rating.
'08f150stx
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 16
From: Wisconsin