Battery drained while sitting in cold

[luca_brasi]

My truck has been starting fine all summer. But now it will barely crank when I start it up in the cold. It was about 30 degrees this morning so its not like I'm in subzero temps. On Sunday day this happened so I put a battery tender on it, and it read 55%. I charged it up to 100% and then fired the truck up. I let it run for about 20 minutes then turned it off.

This morning I went to start it. I turned the key and all the lights work and the chime sounded. I waited for glow plugs and then turned to crank it and got a really slow whine that got slower and slower until it won't turn at all.

How can my batteries be depleted after only sitting for two days from a full charge? Will it help if I install insulation blankets over them? Or is there another problem involved?

The truck has 201k miles. I'm using Rotella T6 15-40.

[kendallcschm]

Originally Posted by luca_brasi

My truck has been starting fine all summer. But now it will barely crank when I start it up in the cold. It was about 30 degrees this morning so its not like I'm in subzero temps. On Sunday day this happened so I put a battery tender on it, and it read 55%. I charged it up to 100% and then fired the truck up. I let it run for about 20 minutes then turned it off.

This morning I went to start it. I turned the key and all the lights work and the chime sounded. I waited for glow plugs and then turned to crank it and got a really slow whine that got slower and slower until it won't turn at all.

How can my batteries be depleted after only sitting for two days from a full charge? Will it help if I install insulation blankets over them? Or is there another problem involved?

The truck has 201k miles. I'm using Rotella T6 15-40.

get some more powerful/newer batteries.. this happened to me and i needed new batteries.. check and see if you got something plugged in somewhere

[luca_brasi]

Originally Posted by kendallcschm

get some more powerful/newer batteries.. this happened to me and i needed new batteries.. check and see if you got something plugged in somewhere

I have Super Start batteries, about one year old and well within warranty. Are these ****? What brand do you recommend?

[luca_brasi]

I just checked the label on my batteries and sure enough they're labeled 675 CCA at 0 F. That's just way to low. My fault for not checking them out when I bought them.

[jjohns816]

Sears diehard platinum 65 series is an Odyssey relabeled and a lot cheaper. 900+ cca.

[kendallcschm]

Originally Posted by luca_brasi

I have Super Start batteries, about one year old and well within warranty. Are these ****? What brand do you recommend?

could get optima redtops like this one:

Amazon.com: Optima 8004-003-FFP RedTop Group 34/78 Starting Battery: Automotive

Amazon.com: Optima 8004-003-FFP RedTop Group 34/78 Starting Battery: Automotive

800 CCA and easy to find in any auto parts store

[madpogue]

^^^^ Those Optimas are BELOW the recommended minimum of 850 CCA per battery. Plus, you can get TWO group 65 850 CCA 84-month batteries for about the price of ONE of those Optimas.

[jermcd]

say no to the Optimas! Thats just my openion but ive never heard good things from ppl who own them. I last replaced mine at sears, highest cca I could find!

[luca_brasi]

How much are the Sears batteries?
What about going OEM with Motorcraft?


Sent from my iPhone using AG Free

[OptimaJim]

luca, I would strongly encourage you to hold onto your money at this point and take a closer look at the batteries you already have. Fully-charged, your batteries should measure about 12.6 volts. If you have a period of 12-24 hours, I would suggest fully-charging and totally disconnecting them from your truck. Measure the voltage at the terminals, don't rely on a charger's percentage. Your batteries should hold close to their fully-charged voltage when disconnected for 12-24 hours. If they hold voltage when disconnected, but drop voltage when connected to your truck, there is likely a parasitic draw in the truck that is discharging your batteries. This video explains how to measure parasitic draw- Tech Tips 7: Does my battery need to be replaced? - YouTube

If your batteries don't hold voltage and turn out to need warranty replacement (and dual batteries should be replaced at the same time), take advantage of your warranty- that's why it's there.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
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