Left ignition on
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Elder User
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From: Bay Area, CA
Left ignition on
Well today I left the ignition on, and the batterys were dead when I got back. I was wondering if the glow plugs were hot the whole time, and If I should throw a charger on the battery? How are the batterys linked? Do I only have to charge one? Thanks, Im hoping I didnt hurt the truck.
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Elder User
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From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by cookie88
The GP's cut off after a minute or so. The batteries are in parallel, and you will have to charge them both.
Don't worry, it'll be ok.
Don't worry, it'll be ok.
Oh wait.... do I disconnect it from the truck first?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
It won't hurt anything to charge them on the truck (assuming proper ventilation, etc.). They will charge simultaneously, as they are wired in parallel.
On edit: Did the truck start? If it did the alternator should have charged the batteries on its own....
On edit: Did the truck start? If it did the alternator should have charged the batteries on its own....
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I ran both of mine dead recently cranking it in the cold (3 bad glow plugs discovered). The batteries are only 1 year old. I have 2 battery chargers and gave them a charge......or so I thought. The next day I didn't drive it much and the 3rd day it was dead again. I took several days to charge the batteries by letting them charge for a bit and then backing-off as to not cook my batteries. I also left them on trickle charge at night as it was below freezing on those days, as well as plugging the truck in. After new glow plugs and new glow plug relay the truck starts just fine.
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I hate to abuse a charger by asking it to charge two batteries simultaneously. And I even have a big charger! What I do in this case is disconnect one battery and then charge the disconnected one. Then reconnect it and disconnect the other one and charge the one I just disconnected. Then reconnect it, and I'm good to go. (This takes forever, of course...) Though by never having both batteries disconnected simultaneously you don't lose your radio programming, etc.
There are those who say that if you ask your alternator to charge a stone-cold dead battery (not to mention two of them!) it will die an earlier death from overheating; alternators being designed to maintain a charge on a battery, not to charge one up from dead. Not sure if that's true with modern alternators, but if you have the time and the battery charger, why risk it?
Duncan
There are those who say that if you ask your alternator to charge a stone-cold dead battery (not to mention two of them!) it will die an earlier death from overheating; alternators being designed to maintain a charge on a battery, not to charge one up from dead. Not sure if that's true with modern alternators, but if you have the time and the battery charger, why risk it?
Duncan
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From: Cleveland Area
I heard alternators are not designed to charge a battery, let alone 2, to a full charge. So I periodically charge them both, simultaneously, in my truck. The charger does not read that there are 2 batteries, only the amount of amps that are being drawn. Dual Optimas, and they are great!
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by The Grinch
I heard alternators are not designed to charge a battery, let alone 2, to a full charge. So I periodically charge them both, simultaneously, in my truck. The charger does not read that there are 2 batteries, only the amount of amps that are being drawn. Dual Optimas, and they are great!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: SHELTON, WA
Originally Posted by Black88GT
The guy at Kragen told me that these trucks have 2 alternators.... Is that true?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: SHELTON, WA
Originally Posted by bigpowerstroke
Some trucks are equiped with two alternators, mainly the ambulance models, or unless you ask for it from the dealer
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