Battery issue?

HEMIMANN · Jul 27, 2022

Sherman Bird said:
Batteries go dead for a multitude of reasons. I understood that most if not all battery companies use recycled lead as opposed to unused lead. I do not know this to any degree of certainty, and have no idea whether that would even matter. I do see different brands go through periods of high failure rate. Since I do auto repair, I do see many batteries go bad on a weekly basis. I also do a battery test for free on any car or truck that comes in for service. You'd be surprised how often the battery tests bad and has only 30% capacity and still starts and runs the vehicle. You'd also be surprised as to how much better the vehicle runs with a new battery.

I usually see better service length with Motorcraft brand batteries. Delco seems good as well, regardless of application. I see many of the box chain store brands fail, especially O'Reilly.

If they can't get all the sulfate plating off the lead before re-melting, the resulting impurity would hurt ampacity for sure. I've never read about how well this is done and by which manufacturer. I generally stick with the few USA batteries now - Odyssey, Trojan, X2 (combined with Odyssey), East Penn.

Johnson Controls moved to Mexico some years back, quality went way down as documented by a number of articles then. I think they make Interstate and AC Delco, plus others. Haven't kept up.

HEMIMANN · Jul 27, 2022

turkeybird56 said:
AGM helps but Heat is the enemy. My truck 4 years old and I am just about ready to go to Autozone and Get a Platinum Duralast AGM. Battery starting to show signs of not maintaining full charge. Alas, only 100 here for weeks in a row.

ADDED: I also have AGM on my Honda MC, and I do have a Battery maintainer that I plug in even in summer if bike gonna sit a lot, just too hot, all IMHO...

BOIRD - do you know or think a conventional flooded cell wet lead-acid battery would wear out sooner?

turkeybird56 · Jul 27, 2022

HEMIMANN said:
BOIRD - do you know or think a conventional flooded cell wet lead-acid battery would wear out sooner?

Honestly, do not know. I have the stock in MY 19, which was a April 18 Build, so U know that battery like 4 1/2 years old, and I know I need to change out. Just trying to wait till a lil cooler, which is why I carry my Lithium jump pack in truck on any trips, till I get off my tailfeathers and change out battery.

Sherman Bird · Jul 27, 2022

turkeybird56 said:
AGM helps but Heat is the enemy. My truck 4 years old and I am just about ready to go to Autozone and Get a Platinum Duralast AGM. Battery starting to show signs of not maintaining full charge. Alas, only 100 here for weeks in a row.

ADDED: I also have AGM on my Honda MC, and I do have a Battery maintainer that I plug in even in summer if bike gonna sit a lot, just too hot, all IMHO...

I've cured chronic problems of frequent lead/acid battery failure by replacing with AGM for both myself and several customers.... especially customers who worked from home during the recent viral problem, and they seldom drove their cars.

HEMIMANN · Jul 27, 2022

turkeybird56 said:
Honestly, do not know. I have the stock in MY 19, which was a April 18 Build, so U know that battery like 4 1/2 years old, and I know I need to change out. Just trying to wait till a lil cooler, which is why I carry my Lithium jump pack in truck on any trips, till I get off my tailfeathers and change out battery.

Might have to wait til October. We getting heat back next week. Hooray.

turkeybird56 · Jul 27, 2022

If we R lucky ^^^^^^. Sure wish "some" of the rain that fell in ST Louis fell here. Our lakes are down 7-11 feet, and no rain in sight.

Tireware · Jul 27, 2022

Batteries are not what they used to be. I just replaced my factory battery Monday 7.25.22. I first went to start in the morning and would barely turn over. I took it to autozone and would check good -.. this went on for a couple months and Monday was dead.. While driving the battery guage would fluctuate some but would keep going.. Monday it went dead and my battery charger could not jump it.. I checked the voltage with a VOM and it read 12 v.. I assume a cell or others were burnt out.. Bought new 750 amp battery and all is good. Deciving symptoms

RamDiver · Jul 27, 2022

This link is a great read on the use of dielectric grease.

Dielectric Grease vs Conductive Grease

2020PW · Jul 27, 2022

These new AGM battery’s are horrific. Why did acid bath batteries last so long in the past? We still use acid bath battery in mobile industrial equipment that we constantly are being drained and recharged. They never have the water checked and never get charged as recommended. Never have the issues like the AGM batteries.

14.4v alternator is putting out the power, 12v battery is holding it.
You need to load test the battery.

100A 6/12V Battery Load Tester

Amazing deals on this 100 Amp 6/12V Battery Load Tester at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

RamInfo · Jul 27, 2022

Yeah, the OP needs to start with a battery test.

Regardless of cost or source, they all get tired after a while. My 2016 has a build date of January 2016 and (touching wood) is still on the OEM battery. But it is signaling that replacement is due. Truck sat for 5 weeks in Jan/Feb as I was out of country. When I returned the truck fired right up, but as I backed out of the garage a number of dash indicators lit up, so I drove it back in and put a 2A charger on overnight—next day, all was well. Had the same experience recently after leaving the truck parked at a friend’s place for 10 days--slow radio boot up and a couple of dash indicators that cleared after a few miles of driving, and after 80 miles of freeway driving home all was well again. I’ll be swapping it out before winter hits, once I figure out what I want as a replacement…

best,
DG

DILLIGAF · Jul 27, 2022

Get Yourself an Odyssey H8 problem solved.

Elvira · Jul 27, 2022

GTyankee · Jul 27, 2022

My 2016 Ram eco-diesel, build date 12/18/2015
Battery showed no regular signs of going bad

The only indication that i had was when i used the remote to attempt to start the truck.
It worked normally if i inserted the FOB into the ignition switch

I checked the EVIC & voltage was not quite right
It just happened to be on a Sunday
I normally use a Battery Specialty Shop for my battery purchases, closed Sundays of course.
Drove to Costco, picked up an oversize Interstate,
They would not install Batteries in their shop, WTH !

Firestone was the only thing open & i had to get it installed, so i could have any other Gremlins tested, because i had a 5 AM job on Monday, it was easy job, maybe 400 miles total.
Trucking companies don't call you too much when you have break downs

2020PW · Jul 27, 2022

DILLIGAF said:
Get Yourself an Odyssey H8 problem solved.

FYI, there’s only 2 or 3 companies that makes batteries. They are all the same just in different labels, recommend shopping by getting the best warranty for the lowest price.

You could take it to a local shop and have them rebuild it. Yes they exist.

EdGs · Jul 27, 2022

Well, found out that the battery has a 3 year warranty.

Load test was good as well. Alternator tested good.

Upon closer inspection, there was some shizzle forming under the positive clamp (couldnt even see it at first, but definately there) so a cleaning, and terminal treatment are in need.

Just from me messing around, the light has gone off. I will get it all corrected tomorrow as I had other stuff get in the way (story of my life).

Thank you all for the input, this site is really awesome because of you all.

When it does come time to change, that Odyssey H8 looks interesting. Thanks @DILLIGAF. If prices keep going up, might have to sell a kidney.....lol.

DILLIGAF · Jul 27, 2022

EdGs said:
When it does come time to change, that Odyssey H8 looks interesting. Thanks @DILLIGAF. If prices keep going up, might have to sell a kidney.....lol.

Yeah I hear ya, But the cheaper batteries dont seem to last with my winch setup and our -50 winters.

Ill give a honest opinion after a year and next time I go play in the mud. Im not one to hold back when something sucks. even if it cost an arm and a leg!..lol...

But the fact an H8 fits in our trays with minor trimming is a big bonus. Costco has great deal on AGM H8s as well and the exchange policy at Costco cant be beat !

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Sherman Bird · Jul 28, 2022

HEMIMANN said:
Might AGM architecture resist heat breakdown better? I know AGM does better in the cold up here - retains more CCA due to the higher surface area of the thinner lead plates.

Heat breakdown is but one enemy of a car battery. MUCH worse for a car/truck battery is vibration due to a missing or improperly secured battery hold down, a missing one being worse. I've personally and professionally installed AGM's in vehicles which suffered excessive repeat battery failures. Usually, infrequent use kills a battery more quickly than other factors.

RamDiver · Jul 28, 2022

The AGM battery in my standby generator is a PITA to maintain. I need to trickle charge it monthly and bring it inside during the Winter months or the float voltage drops off.

As you said, Sherman, lack of regular use is a killer.

The generator is run monthly (-/+) but has no built-in charging ability and I refuse to spend huge $ to add the feature.

Richard Harter · Jul 28, 2022

Scottly said:
Average life of a battery in Florida is 2.5yrs. Cold temps will temporarily reduce battery power output, but heat breaks them down and destroys them. Florida sucks for battery life...always has.

Even in Arizona, where it gets kind of hot, I got almost 5 years out of my last battery before I replaced it. It wasn't even showing signs of being bad but I was going on a 4000 mile road trip towing the travel trailer and didn't want to chance it on the road. Could it be more the humidity or salt air that poses the greatest problems for batteries/charging systems in Florida? While I do agree that heat is much worse for a battery than cold there could be other factors at play.
Canyon

Marshall · Jul 28, 2022

My 14 has original battery still, but I only have 79000km on it yet and it sits in the garage.
Voltages don't sound bad, but a load test may show something.
I had a 3 ton with about 20 yrs on the battery.
The wife's car needs a battery charge if it sits for more than 2 weeks and battery tests fine, 2 yr old, Battery is still in warranty and had them load check as I don't have one anymore, wrote a bill for 36.oo to check it ( Honda battery / dealer)

Battery issue?

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