New Battery Dies after 9 days

[larss]

I'll try and be as brief and as detailed as possible.

I bought a new battery this summer because the old one was toast. Didn't drive it a lot and then found it totally drained after not driving it for a month. After charging, I measured the stead-state/off current draw of the battery and it was 30-35mA, which is supposed to be well within reason. Thinking the battery was bad, I brought it back to the store, they said it's fine. They also said that it should only last two weeks before dying...

So I resigned myself to take it out once every two weeks but now I can't start it after sitting for 9 days! I also have done the poor man check of the alternator (test voltage w/ car running and accessories on) and it was putting ou 14.5V.

What else could be draining my battery???? I don't have electrical mods or accessories plugged into the outlets.
I'm an electrical engineer that can't solve an electrical problem...

 

[2000UZJ]

give somebody they keys to start it more often. A battery sitting for 10 days it quite a while. Winter will kill them even quicker. Get a battery tender from Autozone for $20 bucks and leave it on there when your not driving it. My truck will die after sitting for 10 days, good battery or not.

 

[arbetrader]

There could be a slight load on it, enough to kill it after a few days of sitting... check to make sure this isn't the case.

 

[nakman]

My truck will die after sitting for 10 days, good battery or not.

Seriously? Man I think you've either got a crappy battery or some kind of drain.. I've gone 2 weeks with no problems, measuring 12.2 on both afterwards if the fridge isn't on.


I don't think 9 days is acceptable, what kind of charger are you using, and what kind of battery? And like arbetrader eluded to, can you check the load at all when it's off?

 

[CappyKD]

Seriously? Man I think you've either got a ****py battery or some kind of drain.. I've gone 2 weeks with no problems, measuring 12.2 on both afterwards if the fridge isn't on.


I don't think 9 days is acceptable, what kind of charger are you using, and what kind of battery? And like arbetrader eluded to, can you check the load at all when it's off?

X2




OP do you have an aftermarket alarm? What exact battery are you using?

 

[2000UZJ]

X2

OP do you have an aftermarket alarm? What exact battery are you using?

Factory alarm. It's a 6 year old Yellow Top.

 

[petrotk40]

If you leave it for extended periods often, maybe get a battery tender?

 

[larss]

The battery I have I believe is a super start from O'Reileys, will check when I get home for the model.

I also only have the factory alarm. When I was really digging into it in late summer, it was pulling 30-35 mA after sitting for several hours.

 

[WindyWY]

If you leave your key in the ignition, even in the off position, it will cause your problem. I had it with my 1999 and a friend had it with a 2005 Tundra.

 

[2000UZJ]

I have a battery tender but have yet to wire it in. Still in my garage... I guess Ill do it tomorrow after work.

 

[larss]

Guess it's a super start battery with 550cca. is a tender my only refuge?

 

[nakman]

Guess it's a super start battery with 550cca. is a tender my only refuge?

I have that same battery- comparable to deka, or odyssey, etc. Agm's don't get a full charge from your alternator, so yes a good charge would be a good idea moving forward. But if this is a new battery, then I still think you need to chase the drain... No way a brand new battery should die that soon unless something is draining it.

 

[ROCKETMAN73]

100 series regulator issues


i have major battery issues at the moment both batteries are getting fried and im in the middle of whoop whoop ,, can any please tell me where the regulators are situated on the 2004 toyota land cruiser diesel 1hz motor any help would be most appreciated Thank you so much

 

[100 TD]

In the back of the alternator. Start your own thread, what volts are you getting?

 

[ROCKETMAN73]

regulator voltage to high 100 ser

I will work on that new thread today. im just roadside until i can sought this out as i out bush.. 19 volts its putting in to both main and Aux bat.. cant be good. thank you for your help. Rod

 

[EdsCruisin]

I had the same problem with battery drain and finally put a battery tender in. Mounted it right above the brake booster and hard wired it to the battery. Now people are always commenting on the plug hanging from the front bumper. I have extended the battery life for years with that tender, especially in the winter. In my opinion, this is one of the most effective cheap mods you can do.

There are lots of little things pulling power - phone charger cords, trailer brake controller, alarms, poor leaking connections on power feeds, etc. The last issue on my 4R was starter contacts. Bad contacts will make you think the battery is dead, and will then help you kill it for real.

 

[Brock]

I'll try and be as brief and as detailed as possible.

I bought a new battery this summer because the old one was toast. Didn't drive it a lot and then found it totally drained after not driving it for a month. After charging, I measured the stead-state/off current draw of the battery and it was 30-35mA, which is supposed to be well within reason. Thinking the battery was bad, I brought it back to the store, they said it's fine. They also said that it should only last two weeks before dying...

So I resigned myself to take it out once every two weeks but now I can't start it after sitting for 9 days! I also have done the poor man check of the alternator (test voltage w/ car running and accessories on) and it was putting ou 14.5V.

What else could be draining my battery???? I don't have electrical mods or accessories plugged into the outlets.
I'm an electrical engineer that can't solve an electrical problem...

Go buy a Battery Tender Plus or if need it to be waterproof get the Waterproof Power Tender....put the quick release plug they provide on your battery.....when you park it plug it in...battery will never die and it wont shorten its life. End of story... I get 4-5 years out of my motorcycle batteries using one....and used it on my FJ60 when not driving it and works like a champ. The same by Yuasa works great too...same people build both I think. Just dont use a trickle charger...you need to use a Smart Charger like mentioned or will cause other problems long term.