Deep drain while jumping
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Americas' hat (Canada)
Deep drain while jumping
The other day I had to jumpstart my dad's 80's Chevy Camper Special. It's got a 350 with dual batteries. Sitting for 2 weeks in atleast -20 froze it. If we had access to a plug, it would have been plugged in, but it was sitting at the airport.
While jumping the battery off my truck, I noticed that my battery gauge dropped real low. Lights dimmed, idle dropped, ABS light flashed on. I hammered the throttle in the hopes that it wouldn't die. Once he stopped cranking his truck, everything went back to normal as the alternator was working just fine. After 5 cranks, he finally got his engine running.
Now.... Was my battery crapping out before or after the jump? I've just never seen a battery die like that while jumping. I could understand if it was a 9V trying to jump start a diesel.... but I have a bigger battery with more CCA than his. So, is my battery toast? Can I rely on it?
While jumping the battery off my truck, I noticed that my battery gauge dropped real low. Lights dimmed, idle dropped, ABS light flashed on. I hammered the throttle in the hopes that it wouldn't die. Once he stopped cranking his truck, everything went back to normal as the alternator was working just fine. After 5 cranks, he finally got his engine running.
Now.... Was my battery crapping out before or after the jump? I've just never seen a battery die like that while jumping. I could understand if it was a 9V trying to jump start a diesel.... but I have a bigger battery with more CCA than his. So, is my battery toast? Can I rely on it?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
I would definitely have the battery tested.
Yours' was the bigger battery but he had two.
You were trying to start a system that needed >1000 amps with a 6/7 hundred amp battery.
Did you allow the batteries in his truck to charge for a while before cranking it?
My guess is NO.
You may want to have your alternator checked also as you definitely drew everything it could provide.
Yours' was the bigger battery but he had two.
You were trying to start a system that needed >1000 amps with a 6/7 hundred amp battery.
Did you allow the batteries in his truck to charge for a while before cranking it?
My guess is NO.
You may want to have your alternator checked also as you definitely drew everything it could provide.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Americas' hat (Canada)
We did give it about 4 minutes in between each crank over.
The alternator still seems fine as I haven't had an issue yet.
The battery level shows 1/4 of a charge after starting but then climbs right back to normal.
The alternator still seems fine as I haven't had an issue yet.
The battery level shows 1/4 of a charge after starting but then climbs right back to normal.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 116
From: St James, Missouri
Wouldnt hurt to have it checked. But I once jumped a diesel ambulance with my old 98 4.6
f150. The lights got really dim every time we tried to crank it over. Soon as i hooked the cables up the alternator full fielded and started whining. We got it started though and i had no issues with my truck.
f150. The lights got really dim every time we tried to crank it over. Soon as i hooked the cables up the alternator full fielded and started whining. We got it started though and i had no issues with my truck.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
andydunks
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Dec 1, 2014 08:54 PM
76F250HighBoy
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Nov 1, 2005 04:14 PM
