Auxilary Battery?
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 3
Auxilary Battery?
My 78 F250 has the optional second battery. The battery is shot and swollen, but since I don't use it now, I hate to spend $100 on one, but at the same time I don't like the look of an empty battery tray. Is it safe to leave the old battery connected in the condition it is? Any other options?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
From: Crestline, California
If its swollen, remove it! Especially if it is hooked up and getting a charge. That is a "potential" explosion " waiting to happen. No battery should EVER be swollen up! Better to have an empty battery tray that you only have to see once in a while than a messed up engine compartment with battery acid all over it....
Take it out! (my opinion of course! :-)
Dak
Take it out! (my opinion of course! :-)
Dak
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 3
It must have swelled up when it had water.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
If there is no liquid, then you have some cells, or plates that have been exposed to atmosphere and severe corrosion has started. Eventually the plates will short, or touch, and you will have a real problem on your hands. Because you do not have any liquid in there, you probably will not crack the case, or even explode the battery, but you do run the risk of shorting the electrical system, and this can be a fire hazard.
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 3
If there is no liquid, then you have some cells, or plates that have been exposed to atmosphere and severe corrosion has started. Eventually the plates will short, or touch, and you will have a real problem on your hands. Because you do not have any liquid in there, you probably will not crack the case, or even explode the battery, but you do run the risk of shorting the electrical system, and this can be a fire hazard.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Canyon, TX
My 78 F250 has the optional second battery. The battery is shot and swollen, but since I don't use it now, I hate to spend $100 on one, but at the same time I don't like the look of an empty battery tray. Is it safe to leave the old battery connected in the condition it is? Any other options?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Near Providence, RI
Don't mean to hijack the thread but could anyone help me out with some aux. batt. info? I am looking to make my truck into a dual-batt setup, and I was wondering how long the aux. battery cables are (both) and where you guys have them attaching at? (I figure the pos. will go to the same place as the main batt, but wanted to make sure I set these up right i.e. in parallel not in series!)
Also, anyone running Optima batteries? Any real advantage in yellow over red top? I'm looking to run 2 since my truck is set up as a wrecker and has a bunch of extra crap to run.
Also, anyone running Optima batteries? Any real advantage in yellow over red top? I'm looking to run 2 since my truck is set up as a wrecker and has a bunch of extra crap to run.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: northwest,WA
If there is no liquid, then you have some cells, or plates that have been exposed to atmosphere and severe corrosion has started. Eventually the plates will short, or touch, and you will have a real problem on your hands. Because you do not have any liquid in there, you probably will not crack the case, or even explode the battery, but you do run the risk of shorting the electrical system, and this can be a fire hazard.
A dry battery will not cause any problem except environmental (when disconnected)
New User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Delta, OH
MadFrank,
I had a RedTop Optima in my 69 Camaro and it only lasted maybe 6 months. I went to start the car one day and it was dead and wouldn't take a charge. I took it back to sears and the parts guy said they had a ton of people bringing them back dead. Sears stopped carrying them because of this. This was 2 to 3 yrs. ago. Maybe they just had a bad batch or something. Sears replaced it with the top of the line Diehard. I hear good things about Interstate Batteries.
Berry,
Maybe hit up some autoparts stores when your around them to see if they have any old fake batteries they used for display purposes. Maybe you'll get lucky.
I had a RedTop Optima in my 69 Camaro and it only lasted maybe 6 months. I went to start the car one day and it was dead and wouldn't take a charge. I took it back to sears and the parts guy said they had a ton of people bringing them back dead. Sears stopped carrying them because of this. This was 2 to 3 yrs. ago. Maybe they just had a bad batch or something. Sears replaced it with the top of the line Diehard. I hear good things about Interstate Batteries.
Berry,
Maybe hit up some autoparts stores when your around them to see if they have any old fake batteries they used for display purposes. Maybe you'll get lucky.
