Headlights draining batteries

[minzbigg]

Hello guys this is my problem. My 1009 runs fine in the day light and my gen Gage straddles the green and yellow. But when it gets time for me to turn on my headlights my batteries seem to drain and my Gage is on red bitvas soon as I turn them off it goes back to green. I've checked my alternators and they are fine both batteries are good and I've replaced all battery connecters. I know that some heavy equipment uses a solenoid that regulates 24v to 12v does the m1009 have one if so where and what does it look like. Any info would be fantastic

 

[319]

Sounds like a short, or heavy resistance in the headlight circuit. Does it do it with just the parking lights on?

 

[muddobber40]

It gets the 12v power from the wire, 10 or 8 guage on the cable connecting the two batteries, running to the little black junction block on the firewall to the left of the glowplug relay. Do your gen lights come on at all when you turn your lights on. The alternators could be getting week. Does turning your heater on high or wipers affect the gauge reading? Also, the gauge should be reading in the middle to upper part of the green. Are you sure both alts are charging. The gauge will read right on the line between green and yellow when one isnt charging. Unless you happen to have a guage that starts out low to begin with...gauge should be point at a 30-40 degree angle..some that are worn out sit almost horizontal with the key off.

 

[doghead]

The headlights only draw from the front battery. If both are draining, you have a bigger issue than headlights.

Measure your front battery voltage(on it's terminals), then start the truck. Does the voltage reading increase? If not, your alt is not charging.

Now, turn on the headlights. What does the battery voltage read with the headlights on?

 

[minzbigg]

Thanks for all the info guys. After replacing the front battery and the ground wire and new headlight bulbs everything seems to going good. I love ss

 

[rednckii]

Im having a similiar problem but not draining batteries my gen 2 light is coming on when i turn the headlights off. Isnt on when they are but when i push the switch in it comes on for a brief moment then slightly goes for a minute. What should i look for problem just started after i fixed my gen 1 problem now this have a blower motor resistor on the way. But that doesnt help with my gen 2 light does it thanks for any help.