Batteries

[Skyco]

I knew I never should have read this thread on battery life
In the last two weeks I've had to buy 4 batteries- first the 2 6v golf cart batteries at my camp bit the dust- dead cell in one, then the battery in my old 96 Civic (standby car) did the same, yep dead cell.
I also found the battery in my Honda EU3000 generator dead, thats the second time thats happened in 2 years and it is run every month.
Then yesterday the small riding mower battery I have wired to start the Onan generator on my toy hauler dies....so I've spent over 200 bucks on batteries this month:confused2:
I'm not even gonna replace the Honda generator battery again- it starts easy with the pull rope.
I will say the batteries in the Civic and the RV lasted way longer than I expected...the RV generator battery was 7 years old, not bad for a $25 battery.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Bummer about the battery. It seems some vehicle eat through batteries faster than others.

This is true. All of the company cars we had were Caddies before the GM bail out. Now we have Lincolns. Anyway they would discharge a batter in a week if they set at the airport while folks were out on flights. Same thing with my mechanics Mountaineer. He rides a motor cycle in the summer and it will go dead in about a week just sitting.

I have also dealt with this for years with my dad and uncle having Corvettes. Just last year I finally got them both to agree to let me put battery maintainers on them. So far so good as long as they plug them in.

Chris

 

[brin]

I second Spyder's suggestions. There are some good, quick tests you can do with a cheap multimeter that take a lot of the mystery out of electrical problems. And, like he said, TBN could get you using it in no time.

Bummer about the battery. It seems some vehicle eat through batteries faster than others.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SPYDERLK View Post
You can get one for less than $10 [ala $2.99 on sale] at Harbor Freight. Easy to learn to use. A great cheap tool to trouble shoot tractor electrics. A good investment. If you had one members could talk you thru it quickly.
larry

Iplayfarmer you and Larry were right....Turns out I did not thoroughly clean the battery terminals...I took the battery to Autozone this AM and they checked the battery and it was fully charged and fine...so I bought a new one of the terminal cleaning brushes, a set of fuses and a tester and came back and used the terminal cleaning brush on all terminals , installed the battery and she fired right up...Duh ! Makes me feel really dumb...thanks for the help....:thumbsup:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...came back and used the terminal cleaning brush on all terminals , installed the battery and she fired right up...Duh ! Makes me feel really dumb...

It always seems to be the dumb little stuff that gets us. I once replaced a battery because it wouldn't take a charge only to find out when I came back home that I had the charger set on 6v instead of 12v. I've spent hours chasing a short when the fuse is blown. I spent a whole evening troubleshooting the fuel system in a 4 wheeler when all it needed was a spark plug. (It sparked when it was out of the engine.)

 

[brin]

It always seems to be the dumb little stuff that gets us. I once replaced a battery because it wouldn't take a charge only to find out when I came back home that I had the charger set on 6v instead of 12v. I've spent hours chasing a short when the fuse is blown. I spent a whole evening troubleshooting the fuel system in a 4 wheeler when all it needed was a spark plug. (It sparked when it was out of the engine.)

Isn't that the truth ! and in my mind I was already thinking the worse..starter, solenoid, some broken wire in a hard to find place etc. ..I guarantee I will sure keep the terminals clean from now on ! I would have hated to have that happen to me when I had the tractor 5 miles away on the farm...that is a long walk back home...:laughing:

 

[SpringHollow]

There is a terminal spray you can get that will keep them from corroding - basically "lacquers" them. I believe some people use vaseline but i would check on that first. Fluid Film is another one that people use.

Ken

 

[brin]

There is a terminal spray you can get that will keep them from corroding - basically "lacquers" them. I believe some people use vaseline but i would check on that first. Fluid Film is another one that people use.

Ken

Thanks Ken..I will stop back in Autozone and pick some of that up...it will be a good preventive maintenance thing for me to do to avoid being stuck at the Farm where I have no access to a charger or electricity..

 

[Willl]

battery maintainers

Curious as to what brand maintainer your using.

I've been happily using the Batterytender.

Is there something better ?

 

[SPYDERLK]

....Turns out I did not thoroughly clean the battery terminals...I took the battery to Autozone this AM and they checked the battery and it was fully charged and fine...so I bought a new one of the terminal cleaning brushes, a set of fuses and a tester and came back and used the terminal cleaning brush on all terminals , installed the battery and she fired right up...thanks for the help....:thumbsup:

Glad youre up and running. :thumbsup: ... That $2.99 multimeter would have identified that problem instantly ... just by making measurements with the lights OFF, then ON. I dont believe a standard "tester" is as sensitive.
larry

 

[dcyrilc]

Curious as to what brand maintainers your using.

I've been happily using the Batterytender brand.

Is there something better ?

I'm not sure what brand I use without going to the farm and looking. We got out first one from the dealer who sold us our quad and it works well. I simply go back and get another one from them as I need and can afford them. I one I use comes with both battery cable type ends and a permanent mount style. Both ends have about 3 feet of cable and the permanent mount one has a cap for the end to keep dirt out when not plugged into the tender. The tender itself has 5-6 feet of cable.



Never mind. Dummy me just looked at your link after posting. I'm using the same one you are.:laughing:

 

[brin]

Glad youre up and running. :thumbsup: ... That $2.99 multimeter would have identified that problem instantly ... just by making measurements with the lights OFF, then ON. I dont believe a standard "tester" is as sensitive.
larry

I have a 43 range Sears Multitester that I inherited from my FIL ..it is about 20 yrs. old and I have not clue how to use it ..it has a big dial with Ohms etc. and to lead wire ...one red on black and I read the instructions, such as they are and it is all Greek to me...like I said anything electrical is foreign to me..

 

[dcyrilc]

I have a 43 range Sears Multitester that I inherited from my FIL ..it is about 20 yrs. old and I have not clue how to use it ..it has a big dial with Ohms etc. and to lead wire ...one red on black and I read the instructions, such as they are and it is all Greek to me...like I said anything electrical is foreign to me..

For testing the battery, set the multimeter to volts DC. Place the red lead on the battery positive post and the black on the negative post. Take this reading both with the tractor lights off and again with them on. There should be very little change in the voltage.

This might make for the makings of a good thread title. "How to use a multi-meter".:thumbsup:

 

[Willl]

"How to use a multi-meter"

Copying and pasting your quote into youtube brings many good tutorials on MM usage.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have a 43 range Sears Multitester that I inherited from my FIL ..it is about 20 yrs. old and I have not clue how to use it ..it has a big dial with Ohms etc. and to lead wire ...one red on black and I read the instructions, such as they are and it is all Greek to me...like I said anything electrical is foreign to me..

Those analog meters are great but the cheap digitals are throw away and less intimidating. I would reserve the one you have til you learn a little and actually need its analog capability. Keep an eye out at HF and you can get the CEN-TECH 7 function digital multi meter -Item# 92020 on sale for less than 5 bucks. It has lots of capabilities but the Volt function is extremely valuable and easy to talk thru while doing harmless play in a functioning electric circuit. I have one. If you get one I have some ideas to show yourself whats happening in just a few minutes.
Post back if you get one.
larry

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Those analog meters are great but the cheap digitals are throw away and less intimidating. I would reserve the one you have til you learn a little and actually need its analog capability. Keep an eye out at HF and you can get the CEN-TECH 7 function digital multi meter -Item# 92020 on sale for less than 5 bucks. It has lots of capabilities but the Volt function is extremely valuable and easy to talk thru while doing harmless play in a functioning electric circuit. I have one. If you get one I have some ideas to show yourself whats happening in just a few minutes.
Post back if you get one.
larry

Once again, I will second Spyder's comment. Get a cheap meter. In short order you'll learn it. Then you may find you want some of the functions from the good one.

 

[Pops15]

Curious as to what brand maintainer your using.

I've been happily using the Batterytender.

Is there something better ?

From what I hear those are the best. I asked a some buddies that have motorcycles, scooters, tractors, plow trucks, and cars that sit for extended periods what they use. Both said the Deltran tenders are the best, and both did allot of research before buying. I bought mine on ebay for allot less than they are on Deltran's website.

 

[Willl]

Just picked up 2 more 'Juniors' @ Battery Plus for 26.99 a piece. :thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Curious as to what brand maintainer your using.

I've been happily using the Batterytender.

Is there something better ?

I got one at Harbor Freight for my dads and it works great. The one I put in my uncles is from WalMart. I believe its a Shumacher. Both work great and the HF one was only like $12 on sale. The Walmart one was about $20.

1.5 Amp Three Stage Onboard Battery Charger/Maintainer

Walmart.com: Schumacher SpeedCharge Battery Maintainer and Charger: Auto Electronics

I agree, get a HF multi-meter. I picked up 5 when they where on sale for $2.99. I keep one on each boat, one in the shop, and still have 2 new in the package.



Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...I picked up 5 when they where on sale for $2.99. I keep one on each boat, one in the shop, and still have 2 new in the package.



Chris

Good plan to have extras. I have never been able to find fuses for these "disposible" units. I screw up every now and then and try to test ohms on an energized circuit or something like that. It's funny how the fuses are easy to get to and easily replaced, but I haven't found replacements anywhere that I shop.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Good plan to have extras. I have never been able to find fuses for these "disposible" units. I screw up every now and then and try to test ohms on an energized circuit or something like that. It's funny how the fuses are easy to get to and easily replaced, but I haven't found replacements anywhere that I shop.

I did just that very thing. Only problem was it was on my $75 meter, not a $5 HF unit. It still works on volts and ohm's, just not amps.

Chris