Truck battery

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Returned to our truck yesterday to a dead truck battery, after 90 days idle. We have a 2011 GMC Duramax and the battery is the original since new 5 1/2 years ago. I tried to jump it with no luck. I then took it out, that was quite a chore, and have it at O'Reilly's being charged and load tested to see if it only needed a good charge or if it died. Here's my question for those that have a tow truck with battery experience.....about how long should someone expect a start battery to last?

Jim F

 

[Crewdog]

5 years would be good time to replace standard lead acid as preventative maintenance.

But then i've got a 68 F100 in the garage with a 6 year old optima agm red top battery, might be time to replace that too.

 

[stwendl]

Even so your car is technically turned off, modern trucks have some device draw Sms small current. On my 2013 ram 2500 it is 300mA. If you plan to leave the truck unused for some time out a trickle charger or even a small solar panel in the window to compensate for that loss. To check if your truck has such loss just put an ammeter in series with each battery t measure. Diesel trucks usually have two batteries in parallel for more cranking power. If he batteries have different soc, age or chemistry they will also work with each other causing drainage. Sometimes it can be caused by different temperatures of the battery by way of sun exposure and heating of truck and battery.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

The report back from the load test was "bad battery" so I did replace with a like type. Hooked everything back up and the Duramax Diesel fired right up. Thanks for the tip on the small dash solar panel....funny thing is the truck parked next to me has one laying on its dash.

Jim

 

[stwendl]

You're welcome, but I still like to encourage you to measure your "parking" current draw. You will need to know this to properly size your solar panel to cover night time and daytime energy consumption by properly using a solar panel with right capacity. In my case the losses are about 7Wh per day and I would need to supply this loss during the sunshine hours to break even. But I am sure you know this.

 

[knotflying]

Another option would be to disconnect the positive terminal on the battery during a long layover.

 

[HRowland]

Another option would be to disconnect the positive terminal on the battery during a long layover.

Actually it is MUCH safer to disconnect the negative terminal. If you disconnect the positive while the negative is still connected you risk massive sparks, injury, or fire if you inadvertently touch the wrench to grounded metal. By disconnecting the negative the wrench is already at ground potential so no spark if it touches anything metal.

Likewise, when replacing a battery disconnect the negative first and reconnect it last. Once the negative is disconnected you can touch the wrench from the positive to the chassis with no harm, there is nowhere for the current to flow.

For a multi battery bank, disconnect all of the negatives first.

Howard

 

[knotflying]

Good point Howard, regarding the sequence for disconnecting the battery. In any event the point was by disconnecting the battery you won't have the draw down from all those background things that stay on even when the vehicle is off.

 

[DreadKnot]

My dad has a whole shop full of antique trucks. All of those vehicles have a battery shut off knob located on one of the terminals. This knob does not require any tools; it looks like a round faucet knob. Those are recommended for any vehicle that sits as long as yours does without use. Batteries should last at least five years.

 

[bill46]

Never get 5 years in sunny FL. Too hot under hood. Sure that is possible in cooler climate. I would either disconnect or add a small maintainer.

 

[knotflying]

An on off battery switch may be a convenient approach.