Battery charging.

[mjk]

Morning,

Left a dome light on in my Camry, overnight on Fri. Saturday morning, needed to jump it.

Took it for (2) 20 min hwy drives yesterday, this morning the car did not turn over.

With my Fluke, I had 11.94v before jumping it. While running it, I get 14.38 v.

So, it looks like my alternator is working fine. It is currently on my charger, for a few hours.

I do check the battery on occasion, and when tested, always received 12.5v.

Thoughts?

 

[cjcride]

How old is the Camry and the battery?

 

[mjk]

1996 Camry, battery is a 72 month model, at app 60 months in age...

So, in some respects, I may have answered my own question. Just odd, that it has always tested fine, until this incident.

 

[nyumski]

maybe you can try by changing another similar battery (based on voltage) to your car and recheck again. so you can assume it is either the battery or alternator.

 

[cjcride]

Make sure the battery posts and clamps are clean.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: mjk
1996 Camry, battery is a 72 month model, at app 60 months in age...

So, in some respects, I may have answered my own question. Just odd, that it has always tested fine, until this incident.
You can solve that problem once and for all with an LED dome light replacement from Superbright Leds (for one). A car battery in good shape will run one for a week with ease and be just a bright and not burn out.

 

[oldhp]

Charge battery over night and get it load tested. 5 years.....might be a goner anyway.

 

[mjk]

Originally Posted By: cjcride
Make sure the battery posts and clamps are clean.


Yep, and I use the anti-corrosion felt washers....

Also, installed new terminals last year.

 

[Warstud]

You should have put it on the charger instead of jumping it. Always slow charge a battery if possible. Sounds like it didn't have much life left in it. Time for a new one.

 

[berniedd]

Looks like it got a heavy dose of sulfate. I'm a fan of Battery Minder charger/desulfator. I recommend disconnecting the battery from the car while doing this. What is your charger type?

 

[mjk]

Originally Posted By: berniedd
Looks like it got a heavy dose of sulfate. I'm a fan of Battery Minder charger/desulfator. I recommend disconnecting the battery from the car while doing this. What is your charger type?


Very basic Everstart 6a model.

As for jumping vs charging, didn't have access to power where it was parked.

 

[SHOZ]

Driving around to charge takes hours for a dead battery and is very hard on the alternator. Probably nothing wrong with the battery a slow 24 hour charge wouldn't fix.

 

[Donald]

If the battery goes dead because of leaving something on, then its always best to fully charge the battery (AC charger) before driving. Obviously some people need to get to work or whatever and cannot wait.

Testing with a voltmeter only is tricky even an accurate Fluke voltmeter. But the only true way is to charge up the battery all the way on an AC charger, wait 24 hours or turn on headlights for a few minutes (to eliminate surface charge) then measure the voltage at the battery.

But a load test (using adjustable carbon pile load tester) or conductive test (like a Midtronics) each temp compensated is the only real way to tell the condition of the battery (or hydrometer if the caps come off).

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: cjcride
Make sure the battery posts and clamps are clean.

+1 on this. Also if it's a low maintenance battery open the covers and check the water level. If a bit low add some distilled water to bring the level up.

I've also seen videos on Youtube of adding epsom salts to a battery to keep it going. It may be worth a try on your battery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NongxBm07yc

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: JC1
Originally Posted By: cjcride
Make sure the battery posts and clamps are clean.

+1 on this. Also if it's a low maintenance battery open the covers and check the water level. If a bit low add some distilled water to bring the level up.

I've also seen videos on Youtube of adding epsom salts to a battery to keep it going. It may be worth a try on your battery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NongxBm07yc


Unless you call or email a battery manufacturer and then recommend Epsom salts, I would not advise this. Leave the Epson salts to your wife's bath. Just distilled water is all that should be added to a battery.

 

[SHOZ]

You are better to leave the water a little low./ Most overfill it and then acid gets out. Just a bit above the plates is all that is needed.

 

[901Memphis]

It really needs an AC full charge before you make any decisions. You should have jumped it off an drove to the nearest auto parts store to let them charge it. They have a high amp battery charger

Obviously it's better if you can charge it at home verses the parts store which is a high amp charger but any ac charge is better than letting your alternator run with no state of charge left, but I'm guessing you don't have a battery charger or you would have already done that.

The battery could be perfectly fine but after 5 years of service and letting it die chances are it's time to replace it.

If you want a charger recommendation check out Noco on Amazon. The G3500 is a really good value.

 

[mjk]

Well, I have been running around all day. The battery is definitely shot.

After a long drive, and 30 min off, it tested at 12.6V. I thought all was well.

After 2 hrs in the gym, it was back down to 10.6v. I'm surprised it actually started. I'll be throwing in a battery this afternoon.


I got 60 months out of an O'reilly battery, guess I should be satisfied.

 

[Nick1994]

You should be satisfied with that, here in AZ we're lucky if we get 2, maybe 3 years out of a battery.

 

[901Memphis]

O'Reilly has good batteries they carry deka, probably the best choice for flooded 12v batteries. Also check out batteries plus they have deka but better warranty.

Advance auto has this good coupon codes if you want a JCI battery, usually $40-50 saving if u shop online.