Battery light
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
Battery light
Ok guys, I have a question for you. I live in south Louisiana, and I've been scrambling to get everything ready to head for higher ground if this storm comes this way. I just got the camper pulled out, aired out and ready to go. I just ran to the grocery store to stock up, and on the way home the battery light came on. I didn't notice any change on the gauge. The question I have is that I dont have any way to get it fixed this late in the week. Is there any chance it might be ok to get me about 80 miles or so? My best guess is the alternator, cause the batteries are optima red tops only 6 months old. I chaeced all connections and everything seems tight.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
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From: Concord NC
At night, it will pull the batteries down fast. You will probably be ok for just 80 miles. Check you connections and make sure all is tight. Try to get the alternator replaced before the storm if you can. Good luck with the storm.
Not a liberal...
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,635
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From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
I agree with Barry. I'd put a new alternator in tomorrow to be safe. Here in the Houston area, all of the roadside signs are flashing that a hurricane is imminent, and to make plans now. The whole Gulf Coast needs to be ready. Where in South LA are you?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
I'm currently in Houma. I just went to try to get it checked, but the only store close by wouldn't do it cause it was already dark. I'm gonna try to get a new alternator on in the morning. Hopefully they will have one. The stores around here never seem to have anything in stock. I wanted to check tonight but they were closing. It was strange though, the round trip to the store is about 15 miles. And I didn't notice the gauge move even the slightest bit. And with the lights on you would think it would have. But I don't really trust those factory gauges anyway.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Rochdale MA
You can do a quick test to see if it is the alternator. Take a meter and measure the voltage, at the batteries, with the truck running.You should see 14 volts or so. Have some one put the head lights on and see if the voltage drops then.
Best of luck to you and your family. May you all be safe.
Best of luck to you and your family. May you all be safe.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Rochdale MA
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
I've been watching the projected path all day. After they moved it East of Lake Charles this morning, it's been looking like a direct hit, or just west of Houma.
I can tell you that after a couple of hundred miles with the battery light flashing on every once in a while, it killed my batteries (not Optima), so if the local parts house doesn't have the alternator, map out and call the parts stores North of you and plan on making a short stop at one of them. Have the tools ready and it won't take long to change in the parking lot. If you think an alternator is hard to find now, after a hurricane it will be tougher and you'll have less time to mess with the truck.
I hope your place comes through this OK. Is 80 miles far enough?
I can tell you that after a couple of hundred miles with the battery light flashing on every once in a while, it killed my batteries (not Optima), so if the local parts house doesn't have the alternator, map out and call the parts stores North of you and plan on making a short stop at one of them. Have the tools ready and it won't take long to change in the parking lot. If you think an alternator is hard to find now, after a hurricane it will be tougher and you'll have less time to mess with the truck.
I hope your place comes through this OK. Is 80 miles far enough?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
No, I doubt 80 miles is far enough, but I work for the parish here, so I cant go too far. I have to come back as soon as it passes. I just went out and tested it. Its not perfectly accurate (pos analog meter) but it looks to be around 13 volts with the lights off and on. Still it seems a little low. I'm gonna do my best to get a new one in the morning. The storm could still turn, but I don't want to be stuck here if it doesn't.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
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Delvac1 lots of luck to you my friend, be safe, and hope it will miss you guys.
and like everyone said, get tools readdy for the replacement, and get one asap , you dont want to get stuck with dead batts and alt, somwhere you dont want..
and like everyone said, get tools readdy for the replacement, and get one asap , you dont want to get stuck with dead batts and alt, somwhere you dont want..
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
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From: Rochdale MA
Analog meters are tough the scales sometimes are off. Especially if they have been dropped a few times!! 13V is a bit on the low side. If you start running ac and other electrical it will drop a bit lower. Please forgive my ignorance but here a parish is a church. Is it the same there?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
Analog meters are tough the scales sometimes are off. Especially if they have been dropped a few times!! 13V is a bit on the low side. If you start running ac and other electrical it will drop a bit lower. Please forgive my ignorance but here a parish is a church. Is it the same there?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
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From: Rochdale MA
OHH. Here the cities and towns are seperated into countys. Each city and town has a police dept and the countys have a sherrif's dept also. The sherrif's dept in each county is mainly for the prison's.
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Senior User
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From: Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
Yeah its pretty much the same thing as a county. I thought about clearing that up after I hit the post quick reply button. Most people that aren't from around here don't know what a parish is, so don't feel bad.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
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From: Rochdale MA
Thanks. Chris explained it to me. Here the Catholic churches are broken into parishes or areas. The cities and towns are grouped into countys. I am in Bristol county, but the next town over, Rochester, is in Plymouth county.
On another note if the storm hits and any of you need anything please let me know and I will try my best to ship the necessities out to you.
On another note if the storm hits and any of you need anything please let me know and I will try my best to ship the necessities out to you.