Do you know anything about Batteries?

[holstein05]

I need help. For the regulars, you may recall some battery questions a couple of weeks back. I'm still fighting the batteries. 2 nights ago, the batteries were completely dead, so I put them on a 2 amp slow charge for 24 hours... that brought them up to enough to run the hood light when I open the hood, but barely unlock the doors. Then last night I put them on a 15 amp charge. This AM one of the batteries is boiling, and still, hardly enough power to open the door locks. So I took them off the truck, and used the wifes volt meter to check the voltage. They read 8.86 and 8.5? What does that tell me about the batteries? OR could my problem be elsewhere, like the cables or something?

I hate begging, but I need some answers, as I would really like to hear the truck purrr again.

Thanks

[bugman]

It sounds like you have a couple of shorted cells in the battery. I believe it is time for some new ones.

Jim

[Hook'em Horns!]

A 24-hour charge and only the hood light? 15-amps and boiling, you’ve got a short between cells in 1 or both batteries.

I see that you have had the batteries checked in the past but; many generic low-end service centers (Wallyworld Auto Service) have not a clue about diagnosis under the diesel hood. Pull the batteries and check each one independently under load (no voltmeter).

You first questioned the quality of Wally’s product, but realize the number of different battery mfrs is a very short list with different labels applied. Like laundry soap, a battery is a battery. Regardless of label rating/warranty (48, 60, 80 month and so on) anything after 2 years in use is liable to fail with the exception of Gels. The standard on all is 12-month free replacement and pro-rated thereon. Like most auto related warranties, they are relying on most people trading every few years.

[navistar45]

on my two newest trucks, i run top end batteries. on my older stuff, that i seldom take long trips in, i buy walmart stuff. i have been doing this for nearly 8 years, and generally dont get more then 3years out of wally's batteries, often two. the good news, they replace them under warranty, and i dont have to eat new batteries. the problems you are describeing, sound's just like what i go through when it's time to replace them. one battery goes first, then takes the other with it, sooner or latter. if you are looking for a nice top end battery, i have had good service with motorcraft batteries. similar amp batteries were costing about another $60.00 , per pair.

[drcampbell]

Bring them indoors, top them off with distilled water and charge each one independently before making any pronouncements.

Unless they've been frozen, I'll bet one of them comes back to life after charging.

[holstein05]

If your weather is anything like mine this Saturday morning, I am truly thankful for your time. You all should be out enjoying the Saturday, but instead took time to field my question. Thank you all.

I realize that there are only a few manufactures, but I have just about had enough bad experiences with Walmart to start putting higher cost batteries in my truck. Consumer reports rates Napa (Performance Select 8465)as having a good battery so I am thinking about using some X-mas money towards that. (or should I say using all my X-mas money plus some)

I am going to take these and have them checked once more. Good or bad, I am ready to change battery manufacture. Then, I am going to check the alternator and start looking to see if anything is drawing on these while the truck is sitting over a period of a few days.

Any more advice is certainly welcome. thanks again.

[Hook'em Horns!]

I have not checked to see what brand is used at Wally's lately but, I did replace one of my original Delcos recently from cousin Sam's and it was an Interstate (which is one of the big 3 mfrs) with the cheapest price in the area for a like capacity.
Doc's right though, typically only 1 in the pair fails at a time and drains the good one.

[roofeditor]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bugman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It sounds like you have a couple of shorted cells in the battery. I believe it is time for some new ones.

Jim </div></div>

ditto

[yaric008]

Wait... your wife has a volt meter?

[Hook'em Horns!]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YARIC008</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wait... your wife has a volt meter? </div></div>And, she keeps it locked up too! My kind of woman. Lucky guy. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

[roofeditor]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: drcampbell</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bring them indoors, top them off with distilled water and charge each one independently before making any pronouncements.

Unless they've been frozen, I'll bet one of them comes back to life after charging.
</div></div>

If the water has gotten low and the cells were exposed and charged at the same time they don't come back.

[AlH]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hook_em_Horns</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Like laundry soap, a battery is a battery. </div></div>

Not true for soap or batteries !

Anyway- personally I don't screw around with batteries, if they are more than a couple of years old the very first sign of trouble I replace them, not worth the risk of getting stranded even ONE time IMO. My originals lasted 7 years and I'm 5 years into the replacement set from Sam's Club which were Champions, no problems yet with them.
BTW- in my opinion screw around enough with bad batteries and you get to repair/replace an alternator too, it costs WAY more than a pair of batteries.

[travisa]

get some deep cycle ones, worth the extra money

[sdan27]

even if you can bring on of the batteries back, you should replace both of them because the older battery will end up killing your new one.

[Hook'em Horns!]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sdan27</div><div class="ubbcode-body">even if you can bring on of the batteries back, you should replace both of them because the older battery will end up killing your new one. </div></div> [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif[/img]Yeah, I have seen that happen too.

Not realizing a problem exists by driving frequently with short durations of non-use, leaves a bad battery with a short in the system too long, weakens the good battery and sometimes the alternator.

Replace the bad battery and the weakened battery draws down the new one, and the cycle repeats itself lending to the thought of poor quality brands of batteries purchased when this is not the case at all. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img] Considering the enormous volume of batteries purchased and sold nationwide by Wally World/Sam’s on a daily basis, would you think that anything but the largest of mfrs could even come close to supplying their needs?

Add in the occasional alternator to the cycle and the nightmare grows with a "Why Me?" syndrome to follow.
Check the levels in each cell, charge properly and a proper check should show how weak each one is, and then make your $ decision. Maybe you can point this out to the staff and convince them to warranty both and you'll be able to start fresh.

Long-term battery testaments (over 2 years) usually stem from both installed new as a set regardless of perceived superior ($$) brands purchased.