trailer battery
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 150
Likes: 3
trailer battery
just curious, im getting 13.4 volts max at trailer batt terminals,
while truck is running at idle, fully warmed up(2012 f350)
its a new marine starting/deep cycle battery
kinda think my old battery had a short life due to inadequate charging,
not sure really -- it lasted 3 years
is my 13.4 volts normal?
is adequate charging more a function of drive/running time?
while truck is running at idle, fully warmed up(2012 f350)
its a new marine starting/deep cycle battery
kinda think my old battery had a short life due to inadequate charging,
not sure really -- it lasted 3 years
is my 13.4 volts normal?
is adequate charging more a function of drive/running time?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
just curious, im getting 13.4 volts max at trailer batt terminals,
while truck is running at idle, fully warmed up(2012 f350)
its a new marine starting/deep cycle battery
kinda think my old battery had a short life due to inadequate charging,
not sure really -- it lasted 3 years
is my 13.4 volts normal?
is adequate charging more a function of drive/running time?
while truck is running at idle, fully warmed up(2012 f350)
its a new marine starting/deep cycle battery
kinda think my old battery had a short life due to inadequate charging,
not sure really -- it lasted 3 years
is my 13.4 volts normal?
is adequate charging more a function of drive/running time?
Steve
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 150
Likes: 3
don't know for sure, but it gets a lot of use during the day,
pull up to job truck is shut off, run acc. in trailer 5-10 minutes,
then drive 10 minutes to next job, same cycle roughly 10 times a day
could tell lights in trailer getting progressively dimmer over past couple years, lights nice and bright again with new battery
pull up to job truck is shut off, run acc. in trailer 5-10 minutes,
then drive 10 minutes to next job, same cycle roughly 10 times a day
could tell lights in trailer getting progressively dimmer over past couple years, lights nice and bright again with new battery
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
don't know for sure, but it gets a lot of use during the day,
pull up to job truck is shut off, run acc. in trailer 5-10 minutes,
then drive 10 minutes to next job, same cycle roughly 10 times a day
could tell lights in trailer getting progressively dimmer over past couple years, lights nice and bright again with new battery
pull up to job truck is shut off, run acc. in trailer 5-10 minutes,
then drive 10 minutes to next job, same cycle roughly 10 times a day
could tell lights in trailer getting progressively dimmer over past couple years, lights nice and bright again with new battery
What kind of accessories is battery powering during work?
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
One of the things you will find is water usage increases as batteries age and once cells goes dry the battery is permanently damaged. It's full potential never comes back, if routine maintenance is ignored. Using AGM batteries is pricey, but is one way to avoid having to deal with water loss and they have much better tolerance for severe discharges.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 150
Likes: 3
thanks for info,
yes i will check voltage in am and then in pm after work
--
sealed battery no level to check
--
running inside trailer lights- about 10 bulbs total
and 2 flojet pumps rated at 8 amp each average
and very ocasionally run inverter/charger unit to power vaccuum, microwave etc...
yes i will check voltage in am and then in pm after work
--
sealed battery no level to check
--
running inside trailer lights- about 10 bulbs total
and 2 flojet pumps rated at 8 amp each average
and very ocasionally run inverter/charger unit to power vaccuum, microwave etc...
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
With the usage described, there is no way the battery could remain reasonably charged, give the duty cycle of the re-charge method.
Overnight re-charging is in your future if you want to keep this battery healthy for more than just a few days.
It also would be wise to consider using a "deep cycle" type battery.
You're asking too much of it without feeding it enough.
Gonna' die.
Pop
Overnight re-charging is in your future if you want to keep this battery healthy for more than just a few days.
It also would be wise to consider using a "deep cycle" type battery.
You're asking too much of it without feeding it enough.
Gonna' die.
Pop
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
With the usage described, there is no way the battery could remain reasonably charged, give the duty cycle of the re-charge method.
Overnight re-charging is in your future if you want to keep this battery healthy for more than just a few days.
It also would be wise to consider using a "deep cycle" type battery.
You're asking too much of it without feeding it enough.
Gonna' die.
Pop
Overnight re-charging is in your future if you want to keep this battery healthy for more than just a few days.
It also would be wise to consider using a "deep cycle" type battery.
You're asking too much of it without feeding it enough.
Gonna' die.
Pop
Steve
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 150
Likes: 3
well I guess we were in agreement on the batt.
the oem batt was a marine starting batt,
I replaced it with this marine deep cycle batt
Optima BlueTop® Sealed Starting/Deep Cycle AGM Battery Group Size 27 | Product Details | Pep Boys
but I should mention I did get 3 years and few months service out of the oem batt,
I suppose that is not too bad, but ill hope for a bit more out of the new one
one interesting thing of note on the new batt is the static voltage is 13.1 vdc
the oem batt was a marine starting batt,
I replaced it with this marine deep cycle batt
Optima BlueTop® Sealed Starting/Deep Cycle AGM Battery Group Size 27 | Product Details | Pep Boys
but I should mention I did get 3 years and few months service out of the oem batt,
I suppose that is not too bad, but ill hope for a bit more out of the new one
one interesting thing of note on the new batt is the static voltage is 13.1 vdc
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
well I guess we were in agreement on the batt.
the oem batt was a marine starting batt,
I replaced it with this marine deep cycle batt
Optima BlueTop® Sealed Starting/Deep Cycle AGM Battery Group Size 27 | Product Details | Pep Boys
but I should mention I did get 3 years and few months service out of the oem batt,
I suppose that is not too bad, but ill hope for a bit more out of the new one
one interesting thing of note on the new batt is the static voltage is 13.1 vdc
the oem batt was a marine starting batt,
I replaced it with this marine deep cycle batt
Optima BlueTop® Sealed Starting/Deep Cycle AGM Battery Group Size 27 | Product Details | Pep Boys
but I should mention I did get 3 years and few months service out of the oem batt,
I suppose that is not too bad, but ill hope for a bit more out of the new one
one interesting thing of note on the new batt is the static voltage is 13.1 vdc
A true RV battery is not labeled "starting" as the plate construction in a true deep cycle is much heavier than a starting battery which has thinner plates to increase plate to acid contact area. Unless they are AGM batteries, they are not sealed. Three years on any starting battery is certainly acceptable.
Steve
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 150
Likes: 3
yup its a heavy sucker, 53 lbs, the old battery was maybe 25 lbs
guess that's part of the difference between a starting vs deep cycle batt.
tried it a bit, voltage drops to about 12.8/12.9 with lights on for 10 minutes,
then recovers back to 13/13.1 when lights off (no truck connected)
but I guess I will attempt some better charging times one way or another,gota remember to plug the thing in
thanks
guess that's part of the difference between a starting vs deep cycle batt.
tried it a bit, voltage drops to about 12.8/12.9 with lights on for 10 minutes,
then recovers back to 13/13.1 when lights off (no truck connected)
but I guess I will attempt some better charging times one way or another,gota remember to plug the thing in
thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
I suspect those dimming lights after a couple of hours will be a good reminder that you need to plug it in every night.
Be sure that you have a good-quality three-stage automatic charger or you will still be buying batteries more often than you might otherwise.
Spend some money on the charger. It'll pay dividends in the form of reduced battery costs.
Pop
Be sure that you have a good-quality three-stage automatic charger or you will still be buying batteries more often than you might otherwise.
Spend some money on the charger. It'll pay dividends in the form of reduced battery costs.
Pop
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 4
From: Texas
Yep, get a good quality battery charger--the truck charging is not sufficient for how you are using it.
If you are interested in longer batter life, replace the 10 lights you are using with LEDs--costly, but you will be happy with the battery charge lasting longer. Nothing you can do about the FloJets, they are just going to suck the battery down.
Might also consider 2 6-volts in series...
Joe
If you are interested in longer batter life, replace the 10 lights you are using with LEDs--costly, but you will be happy with the battery charge lasting longer. Nothing you can do about the FloJets, they are just going to suck the battery down.
Might also consider 2 6-volts in series...
Joe