Passenger side battery not staying changed

[BallVice]

Team - was having problems with the passenger side (earth side) battery staying charged.

I replaced both batteries with Optima's but still having the same issue.

Thinking it could be the alternator - but the starter side battery isn't having any issues so far.

Anyone see this before?

Best way to test the alternator?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Best way to test the alternator?

Either take it to an electrician for a bench test or do it yourself with a multimeter. Lots of videos on youtube showing how.
But how are your batteries wired up. 12v or 24v?. Are they isolated
The more info you give the more accurate the answer.

Hint, LEFT and RIGHT sides are the way you see things sitting in a vehicle looking forward , according to the FSM.
Some of us have RH drive cars in LH drive countries, others have LH drive cars in LH drive countries and other have RH drive cars in RH drive countries. I don't know if anyone has LH drive cars in RH drive countries but its possible. Passenger side doesn't mean much.

 

[BallVice]

Either take it to an electrician for a bench test or do it yourself with a multimeter. Lots of videos on youtube showing how.
But how are your batteries wired up. 12v or 24v?. Are they isolated
The more info you give the more accurate the answer.

Hint, LEFT and RIGHT sides are the way you see things sitting in a vehicle looking forward , according to the FSM.
Some of us have RH drive cars in LH drive countries, others have LH drive cars in LH drive countries and other have RH drive cars in RH drive countries. I don't know if anyone has LH drive cars in RH drive countries but its possible. Passenger side doesn't mean much.

24V - in series.

Driver side is on the left (North American BJ42) -

From left to right - Starter to Battery (it's dark outside - so don't quote me - but I think - Positive to Starter - Negative to Postive on the other battery on the RHS - then Ground from Negative on Bat post to Frame).

I have a multi-meter - I'll check the alternator - didn't know if anyone had experienced something similar before.

Thx

 

[Mookies]

Just my .02 here.....I had a hell of a time diagnosing anything with my previous Hilux if either of the Yellow Tops was worn down. I had to charge them completely after winch pulls that were too long as the stock alternator just couldn't keep up. There have been threads saying that 24v and AGM batteries is a bad way to go. 24v systems need the batteries to be as even as possible to be effective. My guess is it's the voltage regulator, worn alt or bad wiring to that first battery in the series. Also, before ANY troubleshooting...are you running any 12v stuff off that first battery?

 

[BallVice]

Just my .02 here.....I had a hell of a time diagnosing anything with my previous Hilux if either of the Yellow Tops was worn down. I had to charge them completely after winch pulls that were too long as the stock alternator just couldn't keep up. There have been threads saying that 24v and AGM batteries is a bad way to go. 24v systems need the batteries to be as even as possible to be effective. My guess is it's the voltage regulator, worn alt or bad wiring to that first battery in the series. Also, before ANY troubleshooting...are you running any 12v stuff off that first battery?

All the 12V items are on the Earth side battery - there is a 24v-12v converter in the rig - on the Starter side -

 

[Greg_B]

If you are running 12V stuff on the low side battery (right side) on this Canadian spec BJ42 then that will be your issue. You have to run all 12V accessories off the 24v-12v converter.

You should also confirm your headlights are stock or been tampered with. If still stock it will have the evil center tap system. Sometimes the headlight system will have been modified and if done incorrectly will create a battery imbalance.

hth's
gb

 

[Mookies]

Yeah, thats your problem right there. It's always the first thing I look for with client's trucks. Even a good converter running off the switched power will draw enough over time to drain the battery. Often it's when folks want a modern stereo that needs a constant draw for memory or a gps, etc. If it's not switched off with a proper solenoid circuit it will drain.