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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Truck battery question
Post Info TOPIC: Truck battery question
cherylbrv


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Truck battery question
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Last night while driving the truck (Ford F550), we noticed the battery light flash on momentarily.  There are 2 batteries and both were replaced 6 months ago.  We plugged in the charger this morning and one was at 95% and the other 65%

The truck has not been hooked up to the RV.  What could be the cause of losing power and how concerned should we be?  We have a 300 mile trip in heavy rain planned for tomorrow and don't want to get stuck on the highway.  Could this be an alternator problem and how can we test that?

For now, we're charging the battery and will look at it again in a few hours to see if it's still losing power.  We did disconnect everything that could be causing a drain when the engine is off, such as the GPS and tire monitor.

Thanks!



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TRAILERKING


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Just because they are only six months old don't mean anything. A one week old battery can go bad. Have them charged and load tested properly to make sure.

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Alie and Jims Carrilite


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Short trips to a store or around the corner will drain the batteries as well. If you start the truck and only drive 5 minutes, the alternator hasn't replaced the current you took out to start the engine. Multiple trips like that over a period of days or weeks can hurt the batteries.

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The Junkman


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Check the alternator too.. might be the alternator is not charging right. .. If the batteries charge up.. and hold a charge.. It might be that.

A alternator overcharging will kill batteries as well...

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bjoyce


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I would also make sure all the battery connections are tight and clean, and maybe check the cables themselves. Since one battery is getting charged and the other not, the alternator is probably working.

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rv-vagabond


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Can you access the cells of your batteries. If so, Check the each cell with a hydrometer to see if you have a bad cell. Auto zone has an easy read hydrometer for batteries that is similar to a antifreeze tester.

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injunear


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  Sounds like you have a dead cell in one battery.

   Wayne



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rv-vagabond


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Now that we know that it was the alternator, I would have the batteries thoroughly checked out being you went all that way running just on batteries. I wish you guys well with getting all the problems you had on your last change of venue fixed. Alfred

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Glenn West


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Does your radio work? Sounds like a stupid question but my wifes car drove me, shops nuts. It would kill a battery in a few weeks. The radio was the culprit.

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LandYachty


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The major auto stores will test the batteries and alternator for free.

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