Battery Blues

xjwisconsin

NAXJA Forum User

Location

sturgeon bay, wisconsin

• Dec 2, 2012

• #1

1998 4.0, ax15, np231 d30,8.25
Running optima red top, 5-90 mains.

Got to work a little early today so I decided to stop at a nearby park and listen to the radio. Turned the ignition off, accessories position then. Sat about a half an hour with the radio on and an iPhone plugged into the radio to charge. Remembered about twenty min into sitting there that my climate controls were still running. Shut them off. Half hour total I go to turn the engine over. Got about a half a turn and then nada.

1. Did/ is my battery crapping out?
2. Should I put it on a trickle charge tonight?

 

CharlesS

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Quezon Province, Philippines

• Dec 2, 2012

• #2

Optima batteries have a specific procedure for charging....

http://www.optimabatteries.com/us/en/support/battery-care/charging/

 

xjwisconsin

NAXJA Forum User

Location

sturgeon bay, wisconsin

• Dec 2, 2012

• #3

Well sir, thank you I had no idea. I will take a peak at my charger when I get home.

Was the drain on theoretical par with the load?

 

88trailcrawler

NAXJA Forum User

Location

OC SoCal

• Dec 2, 2012

• #4

xjwisconsin said:

I decided to stop at a nearby park and listen to the radio. Sat about a half an hour with the radio on......

Click to expand...

Your lucky the cops didn't roll up on you!

 

ParadiseXJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Paradise, CA 95969

• Dec 2, 2012

• #5

88trailcrawler said:

Your lucky the cops didn't roll up on you!

Click to expand...

I think Sturgeon Bay might be a bit different than OC. :eyes: Thankfully!

 

xjwisconsin

NAXJA Forum User

Location

sturgeon bay, wisconsin

• Dec 2, 2012

• #6

Thankfully, yes. I lived in Ocean Beach years ago, lets just say your parks are, um populated with a different type of wildlife.

the view I was enjoying yesterday (old photo, same scenery).

 

88trailcrawler

NAXJA Forum User

Location

OC SoCal

• Dec 3, 2012

• #7

Very nice.

 

NW-ZJ-SCOTT

TEXAS-JT-SCOTT

NAXJA Member

Location

NE Texas

• Dec 3, 2012

• #8

Could be a sign your battery is not as strong as it once was, But my experience is the heater will drain a battery faster then headlights.

 

dsdtdemon

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Pleasant Hill, CA

• Dec 3, 2012

• #9

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you have to have the ignition on to have the heater on, which I've read/believe drains the battery much fast than just having the accessories on. 20-30 mins seems to be about right.

 

xjwisconsin

NAXJA Forum User

Location

sturgeon bay, wisconsin

• Dec 3, 2012

• #10

Thanks guys, I was one click from actually starting the ignition, Ive allways thought of that as accessory. I was going to take the battery in to autozone and have it tested. I have left parking lights on for 8 hours and still been able to start the rig. I just wasnt sure how much more draw the radio and the blower really took.

 

Ecomike

NAXJA# 2091

NAXJA Member

Location

MilkyWay Galaxy

• Dec 3, 2012

• #11

The blower is a LARGE load!!!!! About 20 amps on mine IIRC.

 

5-90

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Hammerspace

• Dec 3, 2012

• #12

xjwisconsin said:

Well sir, thank you I had no idea. I will take a peak at my charger when I get home.

Was the drain on theoretical par with the load?

Click to expand...

Probably - the HVAC fan is a big draw.

Although, I don't think it's supposed to be powered with the key in ACC. It should be "Hot in RUN" only, as far as I know...

 

N

NotMatt

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Wenatchee, WA

• Dec 3, 2012

• #13

Sounds about right for a typical optima. I'm a little biased because I've seen and had so many of them fail prematurely. I've run accessories, stereo, etc for HOURS on a good lead cell battery and not had a problem firing it right up, even after draining said battery all the way and recharging many times previous. Optima after discharging it once and recharging? Forget it, might as well throw it away.