The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 47-55.1 Battery charging issues

mr48chev · 03-24-2021, 08:30 PM

Is the top of the battery clean and dry? A dirty battery top with a bit of moisture can cause a parasitic drain across the top of the battery. You can check that with a volt meter by hooking the meter to one post and using the other lead to touch around on the battery top to see if you get a reading.

Do you have a return spring on the brake pedal that pulls it up tight against the foot board and holds the stop light switch in the off position? If not the pedal may be dropping down and turning the brake lights on without your knowing it. That can happen pretty easily if the brakes aren't adjusted up good.

You for sure need to change to the larger cables or at least the correct diameter cables.

Did you actually check to see if the generator is charging the battery?

Most rigs with a good battery can be drive a few miles and started several times without draining the battery down so they won't start. I've been around plenty of dirt track cars that didn't have any generator or alternator on them at all. Just a battery that they charged before they went to the races on Friday night and they raced all night with it.

03-24-2021, 08:30 PM	#19
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,300	Re: Battery charging issues Is the top of the battery clean and dry? A dirty battery top with a bit of moisture can cause a parasitic drain across the top of the battery. You can check that with a volt meter by hooking the meter to one post and using the other lead to touch around on the battery top to see if you get a reading. Do you have a return spring on the brake pedal that pulls it up tight against the foot board and holds the stop light switch in the off position? If not the pedal may be dropping down and turning the brake lights on without your knowing it. That can happen pretty easily if the brakes aren't adjusted up good. You for sure need to change to the larger cables or at least the correct diameter cables. Did you actually check to see if the generator is charging the battery? Most rigs with a good battery can be drive a few miles and started several times without draining the battery down so they won't start. I've been around plenty of dirt track cars that didn't have any generator or alternator on them at all. Just a battery that they charged before they went to the races on Friday night and they raced all night with it. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.