Archived Batteries drained overnight

[corprimo]

Truck ran fine yesterday, went to start this AM in heated garage and batteries down to 5. 6 volts. Sparks when I clipped on battery charger. What would cause that drain - nothing was left turned on that I can find



Dan Heynen

Palmer, AK

 

[p-Bar]

could be a bad cell or two. It is recommended to replace both batteries since they are in a parallel confguration. you can charge each individually and have them load tested.

 

[corprimo]

Batteries are fairly new - Optimas - I do some plowing with the truck ('97), so they do get a work out. I got it started after having two chargers on them for half an hour to plow a couple drives - guage read 14 volts most of the time. I'm wondering if there's something in the electrical system that can cause that much drain in 12 hours. Just curious if others have had similar problems and there's an obvious reason that I haven't thought of.

 

[GAmes]

The first thing that came into my mind was one or both grid heater relays stuck closed.

 

[roadking]

if you leave your keys in the igniton and the key is in the off position not the key out poisition it will kill the battery overnite in my truck

 

[corprimo]

Keys were in the truck, in the garage, but I do that all the time. Maybe I didn't have the switch all the way to off position or something. Must have been something I did, because it's been fine for the past 5 days. Either a mystery or a senior moment...

 

[BHubbard]

If it sparks when you clip on a battery charger,or sparks when you connect the ground terminal, this means that there is a electrical load somewhere on your truck.

I suggest that you turn off ignition,all lights,stereo amps,trailers,snowplows,etc.

Then after there is no spark when you connect the ground,connect your plow wiring,or other non-factory accessories to see if you get a spark then.

Make sure that stuff is grounded properly to the chassis/truck frame.

Let me know if this helps,I am a electrician,and this is what I would do first.

 

[corprimo]

That morning when the batteries were drained, I got a big spark when I connected the charger - I was thinking it was more like a direct short somewhere. But once I charged up both batteries with two chargers (ground wires disconnected), the truck started up and ran just fine. When I parked it in the garage that evening, voltage was 12. 23 and when I checked it a day later, it was 12. 14, so whatever the load was, it either went away or is greatly reduced. Plow is a huge draw, but runs through ignition switch. If it happens again, I'll disconnect as much as I can and pull fuses and start trying to pin it down. In the meantime, it seems to have healed itself - which is scary!

Dan Heynen in chilly Alaska

 

[kenny61]

There was an old thread around here somewhere that leaving the keys in the ignition will cause a power drain

 

[roadking]

try what i said leave the key in the ignition in the off (not key out) close the drivers door the milage stays lit (who knows what else) thats what kills the battery

 

[corprimo]

This is on my '97 - odometer is mechanical. Still could be something in the ignition switch, but no problems for a week.

 

[2-ND TIME]

Batteries draining overnight

Have you got a multi meter or a test light? With the ignition off. You might try to pull the fuse out and see ifone side will have 12 volts the other side between the one side and ground see if you get current draw or with test light you get some illumination ? This will tell you what is still operating? Your alternator could be going or you might not be charging the batteries long enought after you are finished snow plowing? Maybe idle up at??? 1500 for a half hour after check voltage before and after see if it came up ? What key do you use in the ignition, do yo use the single key or is it on a bunch? If on a bunch years ago I have heard that it is hard on the tumblers in the ignition, which will likely be worn out at this point?