Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) how to charge dead batteries

[americana]

guys I wish there was a way to erase this lame thread after I get my answer.



I can't find my owner's manual and I've searched this site and dodgeram. info and can't find how to hook up a battery charger.



I think I hook it up to the passenger side battery and hook up both clips directly to the posts on the passenger side battery, right?



Thanks in advance guys and sorry for such a lame question.

 

[LRutigliano]

1) Disconnect the battery from the truck. A battery charger will put 16+ volts into the battery initially and you don't want to fry any electronics.



2) Connect the POS cable to the POS post of the bat. Connect the NEG cable to the NEG post of the bat.



3) Charge away...

 

[grimesja]

FYI,

Mosst of the newer batteries will not recharge if they have been discharged below a certain point. I had to replace both of my batteries twice because we left the hood open and drained the batteries below the established point of no return.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

FYI,

Mosst of the newer batteries will not recharge if they have been discharged below a certain point. I had to replace both of my batteries twice because we left the hood open and drained the batteries below the established point of no return.

HMMmmm - most common vehicle batteries dislike total discharge - but never heard of that one...

 

[americana]

well, these are optima yellow tops (deep cycle) and I've revived them from the dead once before. I got them because I have a company truck and don't drive Olga very often.



What are the odds of frying electrics? It didn't happen last time... was I lucky?



Gary, your thoughts? (btw, Gary, do you miss CA?)



thanks again

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

well, these are optima yellow tops (deep cycle) and I've revived them from the dead once before. I got them because I have a company truck and don't drive Olga very often.



What are the odds of frying electrics? It didn't happen last time... was I lucky?



Gary, your thoughts? (btw, Gary, do you miss CA?)



thanks again

The suggestion to totally disconnect all batteries is a good one - it's quite possible that initial charger voltage - which is rather high, pulsed DC, might rise enough depending upon battery condition, to damage some of the systems that are continuously powered even when the truck is not being used - such as the security system. Yes, it's possible you were "lucky" the other time. :-laf



We left California nearly 5 years ago because we disliked the taxation, crowding, traffic, and increasing Liberal tilt of the state. Sure, we miss the abundance of close by shopping and wide variety of goods offered - virtually ANYTHING we could reasonably want was just minutes away from our door - but we certainly do NOT miss the downside of all that brought with it - the growing gang and drug related problems - and especially now, California is just a good place to be away from!



Now, all the more diverse shopping is nearly a 300 mile round trip - but all the normal necessities are right here - and it sure is nice to have those "downsides" 150 miles away! :-laf

 

[MLee]

well, these are optima yellow tops (deep cycle) and I've revived them from the dead once before. I got them because I have a company truck and don't drive Olga very often.



Maybe a heavy charge for a couple hours to get them humming and then a trickle charge?

Check with the Optima people, see what they say.

 

[CKelley1]

unless you are using a welder or large charger do not worry about it . most small chargers only putt out about 15 amps max. leave the batteries connected and it does not make any difference on witch side you connect to and it will not ruin the batteries to drain them all of the way down except in the wintertime from freeze, with the batteries completely down there is only water in the cells and it appears they will not take a charge as the internal resistance becomes lower the batteries will start to accept more charge. what we do when using welders to charge we connect a voltmeter to the leads and set the welder on the lowest setting keeping the voltage at 14. 2 volts you can bring the charge rate up from 10 amps dead to 150 amps at 75% charge

 

[WestTN]

Some of the newer computerized chargers will not charge a dead battery because they can't sense battery connection and polarity.

 

[CKelley1]

those are the best kind to have, you do not have to watch them, can even leave them on all winter storage and not hurt the battery and as cost drops more of them are going to show up in the market but for now they are not easy to find at places like wal mart or auto zone etc.