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Battery issue

5K views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  Hal'sMag 
#1 ·
My key fobs didn't work today.

Opened the hood and put a booster on the front, and was able to open the trunk. My trusty 10 year old trickle charger was hot. Put the 10 amp on the battery and it's pulling a full 10 amps. I noticed the battery has a 02/10 date on it.
Either the trickle charger died or the 9 year old battery did. Either way, a good run in both.
 
#2 ·
Time for a new battery. You're lucky you're in a warmer climate, otherwise your batteries wouldn't last near that long.
 
#4 ·
If its a typical trickle charger that is constantly applying low current, it'll sulfate the plates.

Sounds like a constant-current unit and the winding insulation within the drop-down transformer has failed and has begun to short to each other. On the output side to the battery, this sets up a soft short which drains the battery killing it.

The only trickle chargers worth their salt are what are termed burst-mode. They monitor state-of-charge. When battery voltage falls below a certain threshold, the charger applies 10+A until nominal V is (again) reached, then shuts down entirely. What is bothersome is the battery charger industry knows this...and continues to peddle constant-current units. This, in-turn, drives more battery sales :^(
 
#5 ·
If its a typical trickle charger that is constantly applying low current, it'll sulfate the plates.

Sounds like a constant-current unit and the winding insulation within the drop-down transformer has failed and has begun to short to each other. On the output side to the battery, this sets up a soft short which drains the battery killing it.

The only trickle chargers worth their salt are what are termed burst-mode. They monitor state-of-charge. When battery voltage falls below a certain threshold, the charger applies 10+A until nominal V is (again) reached, then shuts down entirely. What is bothersome is the battery charger industry knows this...and continues to peddle constant-current units. This, in-turn, drives more battery sales :^(
Are there any trickle chargers you recommend?

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#9 ·
ANYTIME I drive ANY of my vehicles, no matter where I am going, I'll drive it anywhere from 5-10 miles to make sure everything gets fully warmed up. I know it's probably a waste of fuel, time, etc., but it's a lot cheaper than the cost of maintenance to repair them. Besides, I love to drive these beasts. On the other side of this, if I lived in the snow belt, in the winter I'd probably have to rethink this philosophy. Neither of the LX's are ever out when there's snow on the ground though.
 
#11 · (Edited)
I had a repair shop for years under the table; when I asked why-oh-why did they keep driving it their vehicles - after it became patently obvious something was wrong - the excuses were many and varied. Reading them the riot act changed little :^(

My 2008 Magnum sits outside all the time here in Missouri. In the middle of winter it will take almost thirty miles for the oil and transmission fluid to come to operating temperature. I changed the battery at nine years as I really didn't want to get stranded somewhere. It was working fine at the time.
With the battery within the confines of the vehicle, as opposed to the significantly harsher environment under the hood, our batteries do last a very long time as a result. Getting a replacement battery from the Dealership, as opposed to anywhere else, means you are getting similar quality and durability that is hand's-down superior to any aftermarket battery. Note there are now only two (possibly three) flooded / lead acid battery Manufacturers on this continent, only one has sterling reputation. East Penn. East Penn supplies FCA's batteries for new vehicles.

Always ask where the rebranded battery you are buying was made. If its anything other than East Penn (they have factories in both Canada and the US), walk away.
 
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#10 ·
My 2008 Magnum sits outside all the time here in Missouri. In the middle of winter it will take almost thirty miles for the oil and transmission fluid to come to operating temperature. I changed the battery at nine years as I really didn't want to get stranded somewhere. It was working fine at the time.
 
#16 ·
East Penn from Canada?
I get them from the source, Pennsylvania haha

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Thanks, I should have clarified further for folks who are in Canada to ensure its from an East Penn factory :^)
 
#19 ·
My "maintenance charger" only comes on when voltage drops below 12 volts, and shuts off again at 12.4. 1.5 amp charge. It kept the Walmart battery working fine for almost 10 years, and died suddenly with a bad cell.
I searched around for a 94R AGM battery in stock without much luck. Turns out Walmart now carries a 94R AGM for a bit less than $200 out the door.
 
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