battery dead! Howcould it be??

[saltflataddict]

My battery was dead when I went to go get some lunch. How could that be when I disconnect both terminals all the time & everyday. The reason I disconnect them is because I have a short somewhere, and am still trying to find it. I have been disconnecting it for about 2 months with no problems, so how could this be??( i know 2 months, I am a busy new daddy and rarely have time, plus have another project going on) What should I look for?? The alternator is new I replaced it about 2 months ago also..any help is appriciated..thanks.

[bustingear]

Take it back!!!

[Mr 42]

A normal battery will discharge 1% per day because of the internal resistance of the lead Acid type battery.
So two month's = 60day's = 60% less charge.

And usually the battery is not charged 100%.
So say its 90% to start with after two month's it has less than 30% charged.

[saltflataddict]

thanks, Mr42, so are you saying my battery is not getting charged when running.. bare with me I am no expert with electrical so its all new to me..

[hankcash]

first thing.... test you alternator!

Jump start the car....
let it run a minute...
disconnect the positive lead while the car is running...
does it die?
if so, bad altenator.
HC

[saltflataddict]

thanks Hank, I will try that after work..

[saltflataddict]

[ QUOTE ]
first thing.... test you alternator!

Jump start the car....
let it run a minute...
disconnect the positive lead while the car is running...
does it die?
if so, bad altenator.
HC

[/ QUOTE ]

ok, tell me this though just in case it is the altenator and I have no HAMB access on the weekends. How or what could cause a new alternator to go bad?? what do I look for as the problem if it is bad?? anything you can think of now so I can check this weekend.

[hankcash]

Sometimes you can just get a bunk alternator.
you mentioned that you have a short somewhere...
If the short involves the charging system in any way... that could very well be your problem.

HC

[manyolcars]

maybe the battery is bad

[hankcash]

you can also test the battery....
pick up a $3 hydrometer tester at any parts shop....
HC

[saltflataddict]

yeah, I have a tester but its at home and I am at work. I will check it when I get home. But just for the record its a new battery as well. go figure.. Yes, I have a short and it prob. affects the charging system, but when I diconnect both terminals how could that be the problem...

[hankcash]

[ QUOTE ]
yeah, I have a tester but its at home and I am at work. I will check it when I get home. But just for the record its a new battery as well. go figure.. Yes, I have a short and it prob. affects the charging system, but when I diconnect both terminals how could that be the problem...

[/ QUOTE ]

When everything is connected (while you are driving) the short can fuck up your charging system...
Just because you disconnect both terminals when you park, doesn't mean anything...
once you start your car, if everything is hooked up correctly and there are no shorts in the system, you can disconect the battery, remove it and throw it off a cliff and drive accross country....
You will not need a battery again till' you stop the car and try and re-start it or run out of gas and have to re-start....
HC

[Ham]

Mike, does this mean you're not coming over this weekend?! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[saltflataddict]

I coming over if Pats there. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I need his electriacl engineer degree now more than ever..

[Gr8ballsofir]

If you have a bad short your alternator won't charge your battery. maybe bad connection between alternator and battery. when you get the car running, put a meter on the battery terminals. You should have about 14 volts. if its 12 or less your alternator is NOT charging your battery.

[japchris]

I had a classic old style battery that discharged through the metal hold down clamp that had worked its way through the batteries rubber casing. Just a thought.

[Mr 42]

Buy a cheap voltmeter.
measure over the battery post's with the engine of it will be around 12,5 volt or lower.

Have a friend to start the engine. the voltge should rise.
if you rev the engine around 2000rpm an alternator should charge at least 13.5-13.8 volt.

If nothing happens you have a charging problem.
Check the wires first, and the altenator last.
Could even be a slipping belt....

[loudpedal]

Hey man..
If you would like, I could give your ride the once over.. I've been an ASE Master Tech for about 16 years now and electrical problems are my speciality! I could find your 'short' also. It would probably take an hour or so to get ya fixed up. PM me and let me know, I'll be at the speed shop all day this Saturday workin' on woody's '35. I'm going over there at 8:00 am, I'll check my HAMB home page before I go over, but if I miss ya, Buick59 has my cell phone #. Call me.

Kris http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif