Dead Battery
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Dead Battery
I have had my battery die from usin my lights with the truck off for too long many times before. Every time when I'm tryin to start it with low/no volts from the battery the power locks lock and un-lock really fast several times. Also the Theft Light, and o/d off light both flash very very fast. The truck has 0 electrical problems other than in this situation. I was woundering if this is normal or if its a glitch in the computer or has anyone else experienced this.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
You might be able to jump it but you are pushing your electrical system to the max. What size alternator do you have and is your battery fresh? You might want to consider other options or just leave your truck running.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
The altenator will be 2 years old in January. I had the truck for less than 1 year when it went out and I took it somewhere I trust to have it replaced. I assume they just used an original altenator. My truck is a 97 4x4 offroad 4.6L scab. I do not know what size it would have in it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
I would bet that they used a rebuilt unit. A new alternator from Ford is not cheap. Your 97 probably has the standard alternator in it (you have the 4.6 engine) and you are asking HD performance from it.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
your alternator is capable of putting out about 95 amps. a 55 watt headlight is less than 5 amps so your alternator can keep about 20 head lights going at the same time. more importan tto make sure you got the wiring and switches capable of that load.--- i also agree, dont keep running the battery dead. put another battery in the bed and use it. jmping the truck and operating with a dead battery is not helping your electrical system.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 252
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if you keep deep cylcing your battery (running it dead and charing it) it is going to be junk. Very quickly. Do this 5 times question whether its going to start next time. Regular car batteries do not like to be deep cycled, a battery does not have 50% power at 50% charge, at 50% charged, you have like 5% power.
You should keep your battery charged at 95% or above at all times. If you want lights buy a gas generator.
You should keep your battery charged at 95% or above at all times. If you want lights buy a gas generator.