batterys going flat
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 30
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From: west aussie
batterys going flat
Hi all
I have a problem with loosing volts somewhere. I have put 2 new batteries in my 6.9l f350 dually thinking it was a battery issue but even with the new batteries if i let the truck sit for 5 days before using it, it is down to 11 volts if i drive it daily there is no issue as its getting charged up while driving.
Can anyone suggest where i might be loosing volts i have tried testing most things to see if there drawing power when vehicle is off but cant seem to find anything.
This is a list of additional electronics on the vehicle
Electric brake controller
Led light bar
Electric fan for oil cooler
Uhf
Led interior light
Electric gauges
Any suggestions
Or any other way i can check things
Cheers
Rod
I have a problem with loosing volts somewhere. I have put 2 new batteries in my 6.9l f350 dually thinking it was a battery issue but even with the new batteries if i let the truck sit for 5 days before using it, it is down to 11 volts if i drive it daily there is no issue as its getting charged up while driving.
Can anyone suggest where i might be loosing volts i have tried testing most things to see if there drawing power when vehicle is off but cant seem to find anything.
This is a list of additional electronics on the vehicle
Electric brake controller
Led light bar
Electric fan for oil cooler
Uhf
Led interior light
Electric gauges
Any suggestions
Or any other way i can check things
Cheers
Rod
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
What method of troubleshooting? It's a real pain in the **** with the modern rigs because of all the bells and whistles and computers waking up and going to sleep. You are testing for milliamperes or mA by inserting the positive and negative leads in series with a battery and cable. It can take a half hour or so for everything to shut down to a resting state. Maybe 50 to 75 mA is "normal", less than 1/10th of an amp.
If the parasitic draw is higher than this than some investigation is in order. Basically, start pulling fuses and such till the current "vampire" is located.
Keep the batteries on a charger till you things sorted or they may be ruined. Alternators are not designed for charging severely depleted battery. Here's some outline to get you started:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_runs_down.htm
If the parasitic draw is higher than this than some investigation is in order. Basically, start pulling fuses and such till the current "vampire" is located.
Keep the batteries on a charger till you things sorted or they may be ruined. Alternators are not designed for charging severely depleted battery. Here's some outline to get you started:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_runs_down.htm
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: west aussie
Its an 85 i thought the 6.9l would suggest its not a ps ☺. I am using a multimeter and testing for mA i have found most things that run of the ignition have a around 40mA running through them i have found nothing over 50mA as of yet but still in the process of testing everything.
Cheers
Rod
Cheers
Rod
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 49
From: Tennessee
You do Not have a modern rig ... I like that fact .
.o2 A is the threshold you should look for .
Pull one fuse at a time and look at readings until draw is isolated .
That will show the offending ckt.
If you find nothing , disconnect the alternator / generator .
And see what happens . You could have a faulty voltage regulator that is draining the batteries .
.o2 A is the threshold you should look for .
Pull one fuse at a time and look at readings until draw is isolated .
That will show the offending ckt.
If you find nothing , disconnect the alternator / generator .
And see what happens . You could have a faulty voltage regulator that is draining the batteries .
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 49
From: Tennessee
Its an 85 i thought the 6.9l would suggest its not a ps ☺. I am using a multimeter and testing for mA i have found most things that run of the ignition have a around 40mA running through them i have found nothing over 50mA as of yet but still in the process of testing everything.
Cheers
Rod
Cheers
Rod
They have a 2003 and post in the 1973 section .
Therefore , I ask .
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Hm, so the diodes in alternator get flaky and start backfeeding or whatever? Although in the situation here it sounds like there's nothing out of the ordinary if the current draw is less than 50 mA.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
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Here's a 'cheating' solution for you: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solenoid-Relay-Switch-Continuous-Duty-Golf-Cart-12-Volt-7-1013-/281096539891?hash=item4172a8cef3&vxp=mtrInstall a master relay between the batteries and the big accessories wire. Run a couple of small wires into the cab, to a master switch. When you leave the truck, you turn the switch off and that kills all power(and all drain).
I've got that on my rig, and haven't had any issues for the last 3 years.
I've got that on my rig, and haven't had any issues for the last 3 years.
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: west aussie
Alternator might explain it i shorted the old one out and had a bit of an engine bay fire re did alot of wireing and put in a 2nd hand alternator i had in the shed that was out of a falcon i recon this all might of started when this happened but when it happened i didnt notice it as i was driving it a bit more now it sits fow several days at a time can these ba checked?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,383
Likes: 846
From: Mi'kma'ki
Here's a 'cheating' solution for you: Solenoid Relay Switch Continuous Duty Golf Cart 12 Volt 7 1013 | eBay
Install a master relay between the batteries and the big accessories wire. Run a couple of small wires into the cab, to a master switch. When you leave the truck, you turn the switch off and that kills all power(and all drain).
I've got that on my rig, and haven't had any issues for the last 3 years.
Install a master relay between the batteries and the big accessories wire. Run a couple of small wires into the cab, to a master switch. When you leave the truck, you turn the switch off and that kills all power(and all drain).
I've got that on my rig, and haven't had any issues for the last 3 years.
if you run an aftermarket modern stereo,simply feed the constant line (usually yellow on the radio) a devoted (fused) power feed so you retain your clock and settings.
(sorry,i can't rep ya again yet.)
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