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Batteries and alternators

JasonS

Well-known member
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Location
Eastern SD
I just want to preface this by saying that I did do a search before posting. :-D

I had the misfortune of a dead battery in my bobbed deuce over the holidays. One battery was OK, the other was dead. They are about 4 years old. I managed to get it to take a charge. After getting the truck running, I measured each batteries voltage while charging. It started out with about a 1.5V difference and, in time, equalized. Another battery set/ engine had less voltage differential. I suspect that this will repeat with subsequent start/ charge cycles. Has anyone used the difference in battery voltage as a tool to monitor battery condition? Is anyone using a desulfating charger? Not a maintainer, but an actual desulfator using high frequency pulses.

I recently bought two 100A Leece Neville alternators off of ebay for ~$50 each. Ebay item 180312423350. My brother also bought one for his 5-ton. Each one draws 30mA +/-1mA through the battery connection. Otherwise work great. My 60A Leece Neville didn't draw any current. Is this 30mA draw part of a battery sense circuit? It seems unlikely that each one would have the exact same leakage current if it was a bad diode. Is there something undesirable about these alternators? The 60A seems to sell for lots more?
 

cranetruck

Moderator
Super Moderator
Steel Soldiers Supporter
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75
48
Location
Meadows of Dan, Virginia
A good way to check the condition of your batteries is to compare the results from a specific gravity test and a open circuit voltage test. If they don't agree, then the batteries are most likely sulfated.
 
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