question about batteries

[bgddydg]

Hello, I have a 2012 ram 3500. I was gone on a trip for 10 days, went to start my truck to run a few errands and it was NOT starting. being reasonably bright , I figured out it was the batteries. I thought it was odd that my key fob would not come out of the ignition while the battery was dead. after I started charging it, I was able to get the key fob out. after an 1 hour and 20 minute charge, it did start and I drove around a bit to recharge the batteries. I am wondering if folks think that is Normal for the batteries to run that low after only 10 days, seeing as my wife and I tow a 10k fifth wheel ,and camp quite a bit, not too much interested in having battery problems.( the oe battery in my 1999 v10 lasted 7 YEARS!!) The truck is still under warranty and I am thinking I am going to really press my RAM dealer to replace both batteries.... any thoughts from you fine ram owners?

 

[seafish]

Better also ask them to figure out what part/accessory is drawing down the batteries…that is NOT normal for a 10 day period.

 

[Hoefler]

On my 08 and my 2010, the batteries died around 2 years old, get them tested, I bet you have a bad one if not both.

 

[Road Dog]

It's not normal and "driving around a bit" won't charge them either. The batteries are around 80Ahr each so with a 15A charger it'll take a full day to charge them up (since you have to back off as the battery gets close to full).

Either they're not charging properly (alternator/regulator issues) or there's a draw that running down the batteries (even a glove box lamp that doesn't turn off), or the batteries are bad.

 

[TJJEEPER]

My 2012 sat from New Years weekend until last weekend and started with no issues. It's garaged in a heated (and cooled) shop which helps. When it does go out it's typically a minimum of 100 miles towing. 20k and I'll bet 18k is towing.

Something isn't right, bad battery(s) or something draining them while sitting.

 

[EHoxie]

One of the batteries in my 2012 3500 went bad when it was just over 2 years old. Only covered by the 3yr 36 month warentee and I was way past that on mileage. The OEM batteries don't have the same quality they did years ago

 

[bgddydg]

wanted to let all readers know my ram dealer tested batteries and found them both to be BAD and replaced both of them for me... thanks to this forum for the info, as I used all of the replies, and they found nothing out of the normal as far as electrical draw goes, just both batteries were defective... thanks to all for the advice!