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I haven't driven my '97 PSD for 3 days, this AM once again barely enough juice to activate the starter solenoid. Once again disconnected the batterys and checked for draw w/analog volt meter and it registared about 1/4-1/2 volt.
Pulled the batterys and had them checked and passenger side was bad, drivers side was good but 31/2 yrs old. Replaced them both.
Question:
Will one bad battery drag the other down? Does a diesel engine need both batterys to start the engine?
This dead battery thing is driving me nuts. In dash gauge indicates that the system is charging.
Will one bad battery drag the other down? Does a diesel engine need both batterys to start the engine?
Good questions Roger. I have wondered about that as well. I replaced both batteries this past year just because.
I think, and others will correct me if I'm wrong, two batteries are needed because of the compression ratio of the diesel engine. Two batteries are needed to turn over the starter and overcome the compression.
Yes one battery will drag the other down, and yes ID moose it takes a lot of juice to to crank these heavy, higher compression engines, but most epecially to crank the engine after cycling the GP's. The GP's suck a lot of Bat power for 10-20 seconds depending on temp then you have to crank this big old engine that is a lot of draw.
kawa if one batt was bad and down a 10 volts the other batt is going to try and keep it up at 12 so the one battery can drain the other battery dead. Also a bad battery can cause the voltage regulator to burn out of your alternator if left to long. (on our trucks it would more likely take two bad batteries for that)
Kawa, wouldn't hurt to get charging system checked, you can have voltage on guage but not much amprage. You can get inductive amp meters that you just lay on the heavy batt. feed wire and it will read amp. I haven't seen them at any stores but a tool dealer should have them. It's been awhile but I think $50or less,very handy though
I think that all of you guys are absolutly correct. CowBoss, the bad battery was registering 10 volts, just like you said. I have a shunt Amp meter and at idol it reads, (I foreget, but I think) around 20 amps.
I charged both new batterys and connected them this AM and everything not only worked but worked faster, louder but with more gusto.
Thanks for all of your replys, advise and comments they were and are greatly appreciated.
I don't know what he is talking about ,it is twelve volts period. The batteries are connected on the pass.side terminal.Power is drawn from both equally not one backing the other.