Batteries for my Dozer

[EddieWalker]

The batteries where able to move around in their compartment, so maybe excessive movement and vibration led to their demise, but my guess is that it was more just not using it enough to keep them charged. I bought two Motorcraft batteries that I secured to the tray so they are now nice and solid. I had Continental before, so we'll see if there is any difference.

I'm looking into a solar maintainer to keep them charged, but don't want to have to disconnect them if I don't have to.

Can I use two 12 volt solar chargers, one on each battery and leave the cable that connects the positive of one battery to the negative of the other battery still attached?

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

I recommend AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries. Vibration resistant, no corrosion and never have to check or add water.

This old Dumper sets for months at a time and it fires right up. It has an Optima that is eight years old.
View attachment 357627 View attachment 357628 View attachment 357629 View attachment 357630 View attachment 357631

That's a great looking dumper!!!! I can see where it would be very handy getting to hard to reach areas!!!!

Eddie

 

[3930dave]

I'm looking into a solar maintainer to keep them charged, but don't want to have to disconnect them if I don't have to.

Can I use two 12 volt solar chargers, one on each battery and leave the cable that connects the positive of one battery to the negative of the other battery still attached?

Eddie

Yes, you can leave the battery interconnect cable in place. On something that sits a long time, I like to disconnect the final positive cable that goes to the starter, at the battery. You don't have to do this, to use the solar panels, I just like to do it to ensure that no small drains are on the battery.

On my 3930, I use something like this:

Battery Disconnect Switch

Might be a little light though for your dozer, I've never used one on a diesel that size. Main thing you have to make sure is that the knob/bolt is tight before you try to start - I remove the knob/bolt when parked - just spins out to remove.

Motorocraft is a decent battery, and having them securely bolted down will help. I know traditional flooded lead-acid batteries don't last as long in extreme heat, I suspect that a lot of those failures are due to electrolyte boiling off. Up here, I have to check battery electrolyte level at least once a year, and one vehicle is more like twice a year. Top up with Distilled or DI water as needed.

If you buy/borrow a DMM, check the voltage across the 2 batteries with the dozer running to get an accurate reading of the charge voltage. Some alternators will run a little higher voltage than others, by nature - mainly what this does is boil electrolyte off faster, necessitating more frequent top-ups.

If your solar panels are higher output than about 5 or 6 watts, watch the electrolyte level closely. If you don't use a solar voltage regulator with higher output panels, you may end up overcharging with what I'm guessing your sun levels to be.

Rgds, D.

 

[Xfaxman]

That's a great looking dumper!!!! I can see where it would be very handy getting to hard to reach areas!!!!

Eddie

Thanks. Yep it is very handy. Perkins diesel, 4 speed and 4 wheel drive.

 

[aczlan]

I'm looking into a solar maintainer to keep them charged, but don't want to have to disconnect them if I don't have to.
Can I use two 12 volt solar chargers, one on each battery and leave the cable that connects the positive of one battery to the negative of the other battery still attached?

Yes. That should work fine.

Aaron Z

 

[xtn]

I can't say enough good things about the Optima yellow-top batteries. They can handle many deep discharge cycles without distress. So even when you DO let them run down and have to jump start or recharge them on a regular basis, they aren't being ruined by it. Plus all the other good Optima qualities. Expensive though.

xtn

 

[Bob Rooks]

Sorry but that's just wrong.

Cold temperatures reduce the available power in a battery (significantly) but do not shorten the battery life as long as they are fully recharged. Bringing batteries into the barn will not help unless it's a heated barn. Fully charged batteries do not freeze and split just because it goes below 32 degrees...or even zero or 20 below. Their cranking ability will decrease and the vehicle will be harder to turn over (due to thickened oil) but the cold will not kill them.

A fully charged battery sitting in equipment at -20F will be perfectly fine. However, if it is heavily used for cranking a cold engine and not given a full recharge, then it is no longer a "fully charged battery" is could be susceptible to freeze damage.

Ok then. I'll forget everything I witnessed in Cold Bay, Dutch Harbor, and Akutan.

And btw, I have two Optima red tops in my F-350 6.4 diesel. Love 'em.

 

[downslope]

...Can I use two 12 volt solar chargers, one on each battery and leave the cable that connects the positive of one battery to the negative of the other battery still attached?

Eddie

That should work good. There's not much on an old diesel that will be drawing any current when not running. As you know, one of the batteries is grounded and the other one runs up to the starter. If the batteries were identical in physical and electrical characteristics it would actually be OK to charge with a large 24V charger. When they are new they are pretty close but with age the internal resistance will change and eventually one will fail before the other. The one that is still good you might be able to use in some other 12V application or for jump starting 12V.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a disconnect switch on the ground that I turn off right after turning off the key. From what I understand, nothing should be able to draw anything from the batteries without a ground.

Eddie

 

[3930dave]

I have a disconnect switch on the ground that I turn off right after turning off the key. From what I understand, nothing should be able to draw anything from the batteries without a ground.

Eddie

I reflexively install switches in the positive lead, but yes, that will work Eddie.

Rgds, D.

 

[2458n]

We used 8d batteries in the old triple nickle (555) diesels. It was-19 degrees last week in parts of Ohio. If I was still working I would have come home with some good batteries last week. Our head wrench would always just swap in two new batteries to keep the equipment ready to run. I would hit the shop as soon as I could and haul off the junk batteries. Alittle charging and they would not freeze all winter and would be ready for whatever in the spring. Ran a dead 8d for 10 years.

 

[charlz]

Lead/acid batteries will self-discharge up to about 10% per month. You either need to plan a periodic charging session or pull them so you can easily charge/desulfate them in the shop/garage. A charged battery will not freeze/crack but a discharged battery will. I pull mine in the winter because I know I won't be using it for a few months.

If you want a mostly 'hands free' system to keep them topped off I would look at a solar panel and a 24volt charge controller. Those wimpy 7watt panels and the like will not keep up with one battery much less two. Wire in the charge controller and then some type of wiring plug/quick disconnect (trailer plug style?) so the panel can lay on the cab or hood until you need to use the dozer. There is tons and tons of solar charging information over on the RV.net forums I am sure someone could hook you up with the bare minimum specs that you would need to select a solar panel and charge controller.