2015:
Realized the interstate is 7.5 years old in service. Had issues (no start) and when I took it back to the dealer to check it out, they said it was shot. After reading on BITOG about batteries, charging etc, I sent my Craftsman charger packing and got a new one (Pro-Logix PL2320) and she hasn't had an issue since....

Today:
so I was working on the truck today, only the hood was open (small bulb).
Then I drove 15 miles, half highway and half city, to the hardware store. Came home, worked on the truck again for 30 minutes and left the key in the ON position. No radio or lights on and just the fan on the lowest speed.

Went to start the truck and it wouldn't turn over.
Hooked up the pro logix charger and put on 20A (no start feature) and it said 14% and less than 12v (this was connected directly to the posts since my usual ground wasn't working).


I started it right up, moved her and then shut her down.
Reconnected with negative on proper ground.
said 84% and just over 12v and after ten minutes she's at 87% charging at 20a.


Is this thing shot????
can't believe it went dead so quickly.
thanks

 

With the key on for 30 minutes, there is a lot of draw on the battery.

 

20A is a pretty high rate of charge current, and puts more stress on a battery's lifespan. My charger will do 10A, 2A, or 50A for 10 seconds (engine start) with 3 minutes of cooldown.

Current will 'disappear' in poor connections, especially grounds as they are constantly subject to the elements. As the old proverb goes, "Rust never sleeps".

Perhaps you should send the damaged, wounded Megatron to Unicron to be resurrected as Galvatron...

 

How do you know I have an auto bot and decepticon emblems on my truck? LOL. My five-year-old put them on.

 

I call shenanigans. Being a kid of the 80s, we all know you did it

Now if only I could find that legendary RX7 Japanese Autobot...

 

Was that camshaft?