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Car batteries constantly draining
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kfunnyman
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Nov 10, 2010, 6:26 PM
Post #1 of 8
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Car batteries constantly draining
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1948 Desoto; Still 6 volt. It seems like I'm going through batteries every 3 or 4 months. (Duralast from Autozone with 2 year warranty)All of the batteries are draining to the point whereas when I bring them in to get charged, they are useless. Autozone gives me a new one. No charge. Nevertheless, "Houston. We've got a problem!" I had the generator rebuilt 2 weeks ago. Battery replaced today after only in for 2 1/2 months. Thanks.(In advance.)
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 10, 2010, 6:30 PM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: Car batteries constantly draining
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Time to start check for a draw on the system. Hook a test light in series bewteen the batt neg post & neg cable and if it lights up, start pulling fuses until you kill the light. That will be the circuit that is the problem child..
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 14, 2010, 1:53 AM
Post #3 of 8
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Re: Car batteries constantly draining
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Yes with everything Sidom said:
Own a 6v machine and it's always on a floating trickle charge. Walmart sells them! Schumacher and about $21 bucks. Your call but I've bought my LAST battery from them and wouldn't care if it was FREE! - Meaning never again! 1/3 failure rate is a bit too much for me!
To add - stop buying batteries from a chain cheapo stores ( not impressed with Autozone and could be local?) that doesn't handle them right as many get mishandled which wrecks them before YOU got it.
They are NOT usually techs but it's place by place like anything,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Nov 14, 2010, 2:06 AM)
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kfunnyman
User
Nov 15, 2010, 10:13 PM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: Car batteries constantly draining
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Thanks for the advice from both of you. What brand(s) of battery do you recommend? Thanks.(again)
(This post was edited by kfunnyman on Nov 15, 2010, 10:14 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 15, 2010, 10:53 PM
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Re: Car batteries constantly draining
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I've had good luck with what NAPA sells so far and don't really know who makes batteries for their nameplate? Also Delco, and Interstate.
It's unsaid most of the time but their are grades of lead used in them - plus the area below the plates as they flake like dandruff with age so the more space there the better.
There are battery specialty stores here - One named "BatteriesPlus" ( I'll give them a plug - www.batteriesplus.com ) can find anything. Gel cells are big bucks but it's like jelly inside not plain electrolyte liquid. Those tolerate a bit of abuse and can even be use upside down!
I'd get a quick disconnect for a car that isn't used too often and still keep it on floating trickle. By "floating" I mean that type charger only works when it senses the need and shuts off and on all by itself so you don't have to watch it at all.
Remember - batteries for cars don't like going discharged and can freeze and crack if low enough on charge! Charged they can take way below zero Fahrenheit temps. CCA = cold cranking amps which is what a battery can put out at 32F I think - maybe lower. When cold they have just a fraction of amps they have when warm.
More: Batteries don't like excessive heat either. Fussy suckers!
Tom
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Nov 15, 2010, 11:00 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 15, 2010, 11:18 PM
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Re: Car batteries constantly draining
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To add to that: This would be the best battery from BatteriesPlus I could just find if the pics, specs, and info shows.
Only issue would be mounting it...........
click to enlarge ShareThis - Optima 6V Red Top Starting Battery - 8010-044
- Optima Red Top Starting Batteries provide up to 15X more resistance to shock and vibration which are leading causes of battery failure. Truly sealed and maintenance free so you never have to worry about acid leaks and corrosion. Unique SPIRALCELL® design offers an overall life up to twice as long as conventional wet batteries.
- Item number: 8010-044
- Weight: 19.0500 lbs
- Voltage: 6V
- Capacity: 50AH
- CCA: 800
- Primary Applications: Industrial Starting Application
- Replaces: 8010044, DGS8506 , GNB8506, OPT8010-004 , OPT8010-044, OPT8506 , SC6A
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kfunnyman
User
Nov 23, 2010, 9:40 AM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: Car batteries constantly draining
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Sidom and Tom.
THANKS for the great advice. Found the short, bought an Optima battery, thus life is good! Just in time for Thanksgiving! Happy Holidays!
Kevin
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 23, 2010, 10:07 AM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: Car batteries constantly draining
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Glad it all worked out and thanks for the report of success. I haven't bought one of those just yet as they are VERY pricey but many benefits. It shouldn't be liquid electrolyte inside but rather a gel so adding or checking water is over AND the corrosion from the spits they can make or acid. This exact type should be able to be upside down even! Should last at least twice as long so can be $ well spent.
Side note: I have a truck with electric/hydraulic plow so all the gear is on the plow set up. 850lbs thing and the good strong regular battery in it will flash the "Bat" light for a second sometimes. That motor for plow has to be some kind of strong way beyond a starter motor. You must see them around - Fisher's Minute Mount. Hope I don't need it this year - laugh. I'm really thinking about for that but it must mount securely as 3/4 ton trucks ride like a coal cart on a cobblestone road.
May be a repeat but check out and get the Shumacher battery charger/maintainer as it's the only one for 6v I've seen that will still float. By float I mean it will only come on as needed they totally shut off so you can put it on and forget it. Own four right now and may get another. The vehicle I use the most doesn't matter but some go to bed for the Winter and some I don't use much. Have one on an electric start generator that can power most of the house I live in. I just don't want to fight with pull starting a generator in the dark that only gets tested that it's working a couple times a year. What a Godsend to have one in an extended outage.
I recall you said once you were in NH so you know what an ice storm can do. So many trees down the power tisn't coming back anytime too soon in many cases.
No matter. Glad you found the source problem and got the battery and are all set. Happy Thanksgiving to you,
Tom
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