Battery dies with headlights
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 33
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Battery dies with headlights
Ok, so I am an idiot, I left my headlights on this morning when I came in to work, and someone had to give me a jump at lunch time.
Questions that follow:
1. Is 4 hours of headlights enough to make a good battery go dead?
2. Is there some kind of aftermarket thing I can do that will kill the headlights if they get left on for some period of time (so it behaves more like my jeep)
(95 aero)
-- Absinthe
Questions that follow:
1. Is 4 hours of headlights enough to make a good battery go dead?
2. Is there some kind of aftermarket thing I can do that will kill the headlights if they get left on for some period of time (so it behaves more like my jeep)
(95 aero)
-- Absinthe
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Originally Posted by xlt4wd90
All the Aeros I've seen will sound an alarm if I leave the lights on and open the door, and they were older than 1995. Is that an option available only on certain models?
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
There are aftermarket battery minder options that will cut out the power to the accessories and lights if the battery level drops below a certain level, BUT they also kill the settings in your accessories like the presets in your radio, ECU memory, etc.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> Is 4 hours of headlights enough to make a good battery go dead?
Absolutely! In cold weather you do not even need an hour.
Absolutely! In cold weather you do not even need an hour.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,227
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From: The OC
Check for water first and fill as necessary. Use a charger or drive it for an hour to bring the charge up. If it does not come back, you needed a new battery anyway. 4 hours should not kill a good battery.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
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From: Kiev, Ukraine
I've solved this problem easily!!!! Installed Bosch 180 amp. alternator with small pulley.... Gauge reads 14.5 V at Idle... and 15.1 if I rev my engine up. My battery is bad... I gonna replace it next mounth. But no problem with start (it is -4 dgr C here)...
I want to install additional battery... I work in company, that owns many trucks and we have a rule, to replace batteries every 2 years. It is possible to get a good 180 a*h battery for free.. so I want to install it under the van. I want to install auxially heater in my aero. I have some parts of Webasto Air top 2000 and I will assembly it next week. So I need a good battery.
I want to install additional battery... I work in company, that owns many trucks and we have a rule, to replace batteries every 2 years. It is possible to get a good 180 a*h battery for free.. so I want to install it under the van. I want to install auxially heater in my aero. I have some parts of Webasto Air top 2000 and I will assembly it next week. So I need a good battery.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Installing a more powerful alternator will not fix a dead or weak battery. Headlights draw a lot of power. Even in warm weather, a battry will not last very long. In my dad's Dakota, we had to use it to light up a storage shed while we were loading and sorting stuff and getting it ready for shipment. The batteries were too dead to start the truck after just 45 minutes.
Last edited by khantyranitar; Nov 19, 2006 at 02:01 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
I can disconnect battery with headlight on at idle and i have no voltage drop! The alternator has special module inside to prevent too hight voltage... so I can start the engine towing my van with dead battery (3 V)....
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
Justin... But the bigger alternator provide more power then use headlight. So battery does not die. Old truck with carburator may run up to 400 miles without the alternator, new fuel injected trucks kill the battery if alternator is disconnected in 100 miles... With headlight battery dies in 2 hours.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
Absinthe! Just recharge your battery.... Ones, seatheater of my aero was not connected properly and I left it on tonight... Battery was 3 volt only.... Old Gaselle towed me.... The ignition was on... when it was 6 volt on battery engine started, but ran roughly... but after 20 miles trip the battery was 11 V and it was enought to start. I revolted my battery in garage of my company....