Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #16  
Old 05-02-2011, 06:35 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
Blinded by the light
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,674
Send a message via AIM to FireRanger
Default Re: 24 hr trickle charged battery...still dead

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidY View Post
After trickle charging over 2-1/3 days on the weekend, I had managed to start up the truck and drive around town for about an hour.

Dave
What's you're point? I'm sure we'll be back here shortly, perplexed about how the battery is dead again. Let us know how long it lasts before it dies again.
__________________
(Formerly)
FireRanger
2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 05-03-2011, 11:28 AM
Doctor Wily Doctor Wily is offline
Science!
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 369
Default Re: 24 hr trickle charged battery...still dead

You know,

I bought a battery for my dodge dakota last summer. Brand new Duralast battery; real nice and strong. Damnedest thing is i havn't driven the truck in months, it sat all winter long, and I went out to start it one day and the battery was completely dead! It only sat all winter long (it was only like 6 or 7 months!)

When a battery is discharged the sulfuric acid id turned into good old fashioned water (H2O). when a battery that is discharged (and full of water) sits outside all winter it can freeze (will freeze) and when that happens the casing and plates can be damaged.

So, first off, 2A trickle is a SLLLLOOOWWWWW rate. It doesn't surprise me at all you had to charge it for a weekend to get it to do much of anything. It took my battery 16 hours to charge at a 10A rate.

Second off, i doubt there is any magic reason the battery died. The computer in the truck draws milliamps of current and after a long time of sitting it will draw the battery dead. It's part of life. If you are concerned about parasitic draw, use a test light or meter and find out of it is there or not. easy.

You're catching a bit of flak on this thread mainly because you are jumping to a conclusion without supporting evidence. Just do your tests and if the evidence shows you there is a problem you're good to go.

I think you should give that batt a good charge and then take it to autozone or other type of place and have em do a load test (as suggested previously.) That will give you an answer about the condition of the battery. If it is a serviceable battery you could check the electrolyte with a battery hydrometer too.


Good luck and keep us posted on your findings!!

Cheerz,

Wily
__________________
Current: 2000 Ford Explorer XLS 4x4 Automatic 4.0L SOHC

Gone but not forgotten ~ "Ghetto Blue" my 1994 Mazda B2300 5 Speed Standard Cab 4x2.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 05-03-2011, 05:20 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
Get off my lawn
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,059
Default Re: 24 hr trickle charged battery...still dead

All good sound advice. A battery that has to be force fed just to start an engine will kill a perfectly good alternator. Only if this battery can pass a load test can you be confident that your alternator isn't in any danger of being abused. Starting a car and driving it is not a load test.
__________________
08 4.0 Sport 4x4
Stock
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Battery dead after 4 to 5 day non use of truck Hawkeye59 Electrical Tech 30 01-28-2012 02:59 PM
Not staring.power locks dont work.battery is not dead. ryantautkus Electrical Tech 1 09-30-2010 05:50 PM
Dead Battery svtmusic 4-Cylinder Tech 1 07-29-2010 05:42 PM
Alternator not staying charged 00RedRangerXLT General Tech 10 03-16-2010 07:57 AM
new battery dead in two days need help Tingler 4-Cylinder Tech 6 02-22-2010 10:05 AM