Sudden no start/ huge electric draw

[Montanashawn]

I started up my 90 cummins normally. Drove it and the trailer across the pasture, so it was running for about 5 minutes. Shut it off, decided I wanted to park the trailer a little differently. I went to restart, and had a bunch of clicking, but no start. The voltmeter shows a huge draw, but that is kind of normal with the intake heater. The battery is a bit old, but has never shown any sign of weakness. Do batteries just up and suddenly die? What could be creating such a huge electrical draw?

 

[Tuesdak]

Do batteries just up and suddenly die

Yes. Check for a loose cable. Load test batteries then look at starter. I have had batteries go “Bang!” and internally go open.

lack of battery power will drop the volts. It may not be a big draw. Turn headlights on , are they dim?

 

[HPSimpson]

Yes they do, how old are your present batteries?

 

[Montanashawn]

I had to leave the house. I don't have a load tester. I do have a couple of chargers. I think I'm going to drag a generator out to the field and throw a charger on the battery this evening and see what it shows. Thinking maybe the battery was getting weak and/or the relay for the intake grid heater is stuck on. That heater may have been stuck on for five minutes or so, and drug down the already old battery. It's about 8 years old I think. Could be 10. I won't be heart broken if it does need a new battery.

 

[Montanashawn]

It was indeed the battery. I was stunned at how suddenly it died. When I load tested it,mit would drop to 7 volts immediately.

 

[DavidC]

It was indeed the battery. I was stunned at how suddenly it died. When I load tested it,mit would drop to 7 volts immediately.

Mine did that even with a tender on it.