Battery Maintainer.

[HemiStarPower]

I have a 2013 Ram 1500 SLT 5.7L Hemi. It has the towing package and bigger alternator.

So, my truck sits in a garage anywhere from 5-10 days without being started. Then I will drive it for 2 days, most weeks only 20-50 miles before cleaning it and storing it back in the garage. I get a company vehicle so I use that during the week. Doing my research, I have read that these trucks have a good draw on the battery and that the long times in-between driving is actually bad for the battery. Any input on this?

To combat this issue, and because I got a good deal on it, I purchased the NOCO Genius g3500. Because my truck is tall, Im unable to leave the hood open to connect the charger to the battery. The charger came with two connectors to connect to the battery with a quick disconnect so you can leave it connected to the battery however, the wire was really small and wouldn't reach out the side.

i found an access port and made my own harness and connector to the body using some marine grade connectors.(PICTURES ATTACHED)

so far all good right... WRONG!!!

It registers the battery but shows 100% and then the relay just clicks going from charging mode to not charging. The manual says this indicates a problem with the battery and is not normal. The battery is only 6 months old. I attempted to directly connect the charger to the battery, to ensure it was not my harness and it does the same thing. When I connect the charger to a different battery it shows less than 100% and begins charging. So I know the charger works and my Harness is ok. The reason I chose this charger/maintainer is because your suppose to be able to leave this attached to the battery long term,it monitors it, maintains it and prevents sulfating and other problems.

Has anyone had any experience with this type of Battery Maintainer or any problems trying to connect one to this battery. Appreciate the help, I reached out to the manufacture but have not received a response.

 

[jeepguy_1980]

I have a very similar battery tender. It's just a slightly different model. I too had issues getting it to charge one of my batteries. It was on my Camaro though. The problem was that my battery had too little charge.

Because it's a smart charger and can switch between 6V and 12V, the battery has to be close enough to 12V to start charging it.

 

[HemiStarPower]

Thanks for the reply, should I just put a volt meter on it? The gauge shows fine voltage... I used these spots to connect to the terminal. Do you think this may be the issue?

 

[jeepguy_1980]

Thanks for the reply, should I just put a volt meter on it? The gauge shows fine voltage... I used these spots to connect to the terminal. Do you think this may be the issue?

I would check the voltage with the truck not running. There may be another issue, but that was my experience.

Those terminals should be fine. If you're really worried about it, here is a pretty clean solution for adding wires to the battery terminals.

http://www.ramforum.com/f51/solution_2013_battery_terminal_connections-49242/

 

[HemiStarPower]

Thanks, I checked the voltage where it was connected and I was only getting around 3-5 it was jumping everywhere. I moved the connectors and got a better connection at 12.5v. Everything is working great.

Thanks for the help.