no power on M35A2C

[Doug Roberts]

So a few days ago I cranked up the Deuce and drove it about 8 miles, and shut down to go into a store. Came back and tried to start and it gave a little weak crank and went to nothing , so I got it jumped off and drove it straight back home and shut down. I now have no power coming on. So I pulled my battery case out and checked em with a meter. The battery on the left read normal (12ish), the battery on the right read 18 volts , so I pulled it and replaced it with a 6TL I've had on trickle charge for a good while. After doing this , no power. I haven't really had any time to get all into it , but I'm guessing I have something going wrong with the alternator.

 

[98G]

I suspect the left battery is failing to charge. It should test higher than 12v at full charge. What does the 6TL test at?

The 18v is clearly overcharged. I suspect this is the result of the left battery failure and the alternator continues to attempt to charge the left one, overcharging the right one.

As I'm sure you're aware, you want the batteries to be an exact match, and it's best practice to change them both at the same time.

I suspect if you put two new batteries in it all problems will disappear....

 

[gimpyrobb]

That voltage differential would indicate one battery over charging. Do you have a 12v load coming off one of the batterys? Which battery was where? Was the 18v hooked to + and the 12v hooked to-?

 

[gimpyrobb]

98g could be on to something too. Maybe a bad cell. Id have them load tested.

 

[Doug Roberts]

the battery on the right tested at 18v , and that's the one I pulled ! lol .. so it looks now that I pulled the wrong one. Wonder if the battery that charged to 18v is ok . I'll do a swap around tonight hopefully ( while it's cooler)

 

[Scar59]

98g could be on to something too. Maybe a bad cell. Id have them load tested.

John and Gimp are booth spot on, need to run the batteries down, trickle charge nice and slow, fill with distilled water and load test them, not just a VOM. The over charged battery may be taxed. May need to start with two fresh batteries in the end. Hooking a 12 v. circut to one battery will end up charging the batteries at different voltages, over time it will kill one of them.

 

[Doug Roberts]

thanks guys. I have two balanced 6TLs in there , cranked it , and took a little drive. If these batteries don't hold, I'm going to need new ones , as my trickle charge stockpile might be limping by now. I've bought regular truck batteries with high cranking amps before, and they did fine , but would you buy new 6TLs?

 

[98G]

My choice in batteries for MVs is the Interstate 65mtp.

 

[gimpyrobb]

If money is no option, agm Hawkers.

I used Interstate reconditioned batterys up till I found a guy selling good batts near me for $20.

 

[Doug Roberts]

calling around to find someone selling the Hawker, no luck so far . Sam's Club has Optimas , their Redtop AGM is suppoed to be good. I got a M923A2 out of surplus 3 years ago that had Optimas in it. They went bad on the way home. I had to replace the PCB on that truck a little bit later.too.

 

[Doug Roberts]

the Hawkers run $523 ... ouch

 

[gimpyrobb]

YUP, ouch.

 

[98G]

the Hawkers run $523 ... ouch

And that's the best price I've seen on them. $800ish is more common.

Any 2 decent batteries will work fine....

 

[Doug Roberts]

I agree 98G . I bought 31s with 900 CCA and they worked great. So yesterday I find a source for Optima Red Tops for $167 each. 3 year replacement warranty... 4 Wheel Parts stores