Tuesday I got my 54 inspected. It passed with flying colors. I drove it home and parked it in the garage. I turned on my optional dome light so I could put my insurance card and registration card in the ashtray where I keep them.

The next morning I get in the truck to go to school, I substitute teach, and I saw the dome light was on! I thought, 'Oh no!' I'll have to jump the battery. But the truck started right up, no problem!

I know the small bulb of the dome light does not draw much juice but I was still surprised/happy that it started easily.

BTW, my truck being a stock standard cab, the dome light is the only thing I added that was not on it originally. I guess after 16 years I still am not used to it!

 

Abe, I didn't realize you were such a darksider. They must have had some good cookies for you to veer from stock so much.

Glad you didn't have to jump.

 

It was a weak moment. I found a nice dome light where I bought some new doors. I knew I had fumbled in the darkness from 1977 through 1998. So I put it in, even had to cut a hole in my new headliner.

 

Abe, you know that dome light will probably cost you points at Pebble Beach, Oh well its to late now.LOL On the serious side Im glad it started right up. A dead battery is a heck of a way to start your day.

 

Was this an LED lamp, or incandescent? A dome light can certainly toast a battery overnight. Maybe it's not supposed to, but.

I was reading a webpage today about alternators and batteries where the author had a few things wrong or glossed, over I thought.

One thing that stood out - said that the average car battery can maintain a twenty-five amp draw for 9 to 15 hours and engine will still start? I doubt this figure. I suspect conflated CCA numbers with actual ampere hours. Big difference.