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So I haven't started my truck for about 2 1/2 weeks. Tonight I needed to move it, and boy did I get all scurred! I watched my battery voltage drop below 10v, and my FICM was at 44v to 45v. This is the longest I have let my truck sit with starting, and I did not have it plugged in.
I am thinking that this is mostly just due to me letting her sit. Its been below freezing here, and lately in the 40's. Normally the FICM is at 47.5.
After letting her sit and idle for a few minutes, she got back up to 47.5v on the FICM, and 13.8v to 14v on the battery.
I guess I am just writing this to see what you ya'll think.
I'm thinking you should load test your batteries unhooked and individually. My truck sits for weeks to a time here in Maine and the temps drop into the single digits and many times below the doughnut for days at a time and the numbers never look much different than using the truck daily in the warmer spring/summer/fall times.
Then put a battery tender on it if you're letting it sit that much. Also monitor the FICM. If it's under 45 it's time to rebuild it. 48v is ideal and most common.
Today, I drove her down to work, and while driving 55 mph the whole way (37 miles), my FICM was at 47.5 and that's where it has been since I have owned the truck. Battery voltage was at 13.8v while driving.
Mine does the same thing every morning and most other start ups and has done this since I've been able to monitor with my scangauge, so about 2.5 years at least.
47.5 during KOEO and crank, 43 -44v first minute or so of idle.
Battery voltage right at 12 KOEO, then 10 - 11.5v during first minute or two after start up
When alternator starts charging, all is good.
I am not sure at what point the Alternator's field excites, haven't researched it either. But once it does all voltages go to normal.
My truck sits all week now that summer has ended and doing a voltage test after sitting for the week, the batteries show 12.43 to 12.50 volts which equates to 75% to 80% of a fully charged set of batteries. 12.73 volts = 100% charged.
Somewhere there is a bit of a voltage drain.
These days I put a battery charger on before I use the truck after sitting for the week. I think a battery tender is in my future.
For longest battery life, batteries should be kept at 100% state of charge.