Charging Rate

[Fatboy]

My voltage gauge always seems to be above 14 VDC unless the grid heater is cycling. I checked across the battery terminals with a meter and got 14. 59 on both. Does anyone know the spec for a 97.

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97 2500 Reg Cab, 4X4, AT, SLT-loaded, 3. 54 Red/Driftwood

 

[Midnight]

Thats a good reading. 15v is to high .

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[Missouri Mule]

Your voltage reading is OK. 14. 5 is average.
Looking thru manual(96) for specifications on min-max voltage but haven't found any thing yet.

Driver's manual states that pointer should remain in the normal range while engine is running. If pointer swings extreme left or right and remains there during normal driving,it is time to check electrical system.


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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

[Fatboy]

Thanks for the replys. DC replaced both batteries in August in the last week of the 3/36 no questions asked. Those 60 month Mopar batteries only seem to go about 36.

 

[Joe G.]

Fatboy,

Ya gotta maintain these "maintenance free" batteries or they don't last long. I keep mine topped up with distilled water and they have lasted 153K+ miles so far.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[DavidGardner]

Fatboy
Joe G is right. Use a scre driver to gently pry the lids off your batterys where you would normaly service a regular type battery. Use distilled water (cheap from the grocery store) to service them with. Mine have been in since day one and so far so good. Six years and 98,000 miles.

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95 slt auto,bd exhaustbrake, TST 230/605 plate K&N airfilter, primelok fuelfilter relocator. Who say"s six in row don"t go?

 

[Fatboy]

Joe & David,

Thanks for the replies, So much for "maintenance free". I don't mind checking the cells, it actually gives you a good idea of the health of the battery, as you can spot a cell going dry.

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97 2500 Reg Cab, 4X4, AT, SLT-loaded, 3. 54 bedliner, Red/Driftwood

 

[rhoads]

Most comments are about right-- If you want to make a battery last. mount them on a shock absorber system with highly flexable cables & don't over charge,sign of over charging--loss of water,the other sign you cant see even after failure(except broken term post)(To much strain on a short cable) and the other cause of failure vibartion--which diesels dont do!!
The ideal charge rate is 13. 8 and mounted on jello! to make amaintance free battery last. . 14. 2 max.
Delco used to build alt's years back that you could turn up or down externaly. Now you are nailed to what ever was set by the factory reg ,which in the ram is inside the alt and is not adjustiable. And nobody is going to pull it unless it is peging needel. I dont know
Why-but for some reason i have found in cold climats mine runs in the hi 14's and if i jump out at the fl. state line and put the meter on the same day it is back down below 14 ???? At o and below setting still i can even detect the cycling of the fuel heater and if you have noticed when the out side temps cool down all the gauges run higher(except temp).
My first battery took a dump at 18 mo's, and milage was over 300,000- second battery went at about 500k + and some where around 30 mo.
Did i complain No about avg. for a big rig.
Vibration. .
I bought a new 78 T-bird and it's batt lasted for 7 years and over 90 k ,(less vib's)

 

[illflem]

tdrmbramr,there is battery temp sender under the passenger battery that limits the charge to compensate for the temperature,that's why you see a voltage change when you go south.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by illflem:
there is battery temp sender under the passenger battery

On my 98 it's on the driver's side.

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Bill Lins Wharton, TX 98 2500 QC SLT,12 (the CORRECT # of)valves,NV4500,3. 54 LSD,Manik grille guard,Semi-Psychotty Air,Amsoil everywhere, Reading aluminum utility body and bumper,Optima yellow tops- silencer ring & muffler stolen.