Battery Problems...
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New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Fresno
Battery Problems...
I left the lights on for a couple days last week, and when I went to start it, it wouldn't start (No surprise there, obviously). I was feeling lucky a few days later and went to try it again, this time it did start-and it's been perfect ever since. Should I be worried that the battery is weak now? Or am I fine? Thanks! -emily
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
No, your battery should be fine unless there are other problems with it (like it's OLD). It's actually a good thing to cycle your battery from time to time though it's never a good idea to do it when you need to get somewhere. 
If you have any doubts take it by any parts shop (Napa, Schucks, etc) and ask them to do a load test on it.
If you have any doubts take it by any parts shop (Napa, Schucks, etc) and ask them to do a load test on it.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 886
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From: Houston/Hope BC
Hmmm, well, here's a little different take:
Car batteries are specially designed for high initial amps applications and shallow discharges. Cars usually start in five to 15 seconds; to start an enginetypically consumes 5%-10% of the battery's capacity. Car batteries should NOT be discharged below 90% state-of-charge.
(From: http://www.pacificpowerbatteries.com...Q/carfaq7.html)
It been a while since I studied on this so forgive me if its not perfect, but my understanding of why batteries don't last forever is that the metal in one plates chemically migrates back and forth between the plates as it charged/dis-charged. The problem is there is no way to get it to re-deposit back on the same place it came from so the battery plates get "bumpy" (I made that up). So when a battery gets deep-discharged a lot of metal moves and doesn't get back to where it belonged and, hence, shorter overall life.
It has been my personal experiece when totally draining a std car battery is that they are never the same again.
Car batteries are specially designed for high initial amps applications and shallow discharges. Cars usually start in five to 15 seconds; to start an enginetypically consumes 5%-10% of the battery's capacity. Car batteries should NOT be discharged below 90% state-of-charge.
(From: http://www.pacificpowerbatteries.com...Q/carfaq7.html)
It been a while since I studied on this so forgive me if its not perfect, but my understanding of why batteries don't last forever is that the metal in one plates chemically migrates back and forth between the plates as it charged/dis-charged. The problem is there is no way to get it to re-deposit back on the same place it came from so the battery plates get "bumpy" (I made that up). So when a battery gets deep-discharged a lot of metal moves and doesn't get back to where it belonged and, hence, shorter overall life.
It has been my personal experiece when totally draining a std car battery is that they are never the same again.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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This Battery related thread will be moved to the Electrical forum as it is not a 73-79 Truck Specific.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=229258
This could happen with any year truck.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=229258
This could happen with any year truck.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 176
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From: Addison,Texas
(Not even Ford-specific!) Had a '78 (other manufacturer) that ate batteries. There was a very very slow drain in the system somewhere and after a coupla months of daily driving the battery would have to be charged. Afterwards the batteries tended not to hold a charge for too awful long. After awhile they'd just die.
ash
['Shoppeth not at Walmart.']
ash
['Shoppeth not at Walmart.']
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