Yesterday I started both the 61 and the 65 and backed them out of the garage to straighten things up,which was long overdue. A couple of hours later I put them back in and reconnected a Battery Tender to each one. Withing twenty minutes the 61 was blinking green indicating a 80 percent charge and after another twenty minutes was steady green. The 65 on the other hand stayed in the full charge mode, steady red, for about an hour. It then went to the 80 percent mode,flashing green, and stayed there for eight hours! It then went steady green. This is the second time that I have noticed this condition with the 65,after a minimal draw on the battery such as a couple of engine starts. I put a new battery in the 65 just two months ago, and the alternator is freshly rebuilt. Anyone have any ideas as to what is going on?
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Re: Battery charging times
Hi Rob
Try disconnecting the battery from the 65 and put the charger on it. See if it happens again. If it does,then you might have a problem with the charger or battery. If it happens only when the cables are connected, then there might be a power drain from something thats on.
Just a thought...........John -
Re: Battery charging times
I store my cars during our six-month winter in my heated garage, and put my "Battery Tender" on them about once every two months; usually takes 12-18 hours to get a constant green light. Both have Delco #24-7YR batteries about five years old, and neither car has ever had any charging system issues.Comment
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Re: Battery charging times
Could be just a difference in battery self-discharge rate, or it could be a current leak issue. My vintage cars can sit a month and only take about 30 minute to achieve full charge with a six amp charger. My modern cars take that long, if not longer, after only sitting a week because they have more current drain due to refreshing memories, powering alarms, etc.
Alternators have a tiny current draw, but I'm not sure if generators do. One thing you could try is to place an ammeter inline with one of the battery cables to check current leakage on both cars.
If it's in the same ballpark, swap the batteries. If the battery from the '61 still holds it's charge better in the '65, then the difference is probably in the relative self-discharge rate of the two batteries.
BTW, if you want to maximize battery life, always be sure they are fully charged before you place a cranking load on them. Also, if you start them but don't drive them long enough, charge the battery after you are done, which you did.
Unless you plan to drive the cars, starting them "to warm them up" is not a good idea since about 80 percent of engine wear over the life of an typical car engine occurs during cold start and warmup. Of course, if you can't push them around, and have to start them to move short distances, you just have to live with the extra wear this produces, which may never be issue if the cars are seldom started.
DukeComment
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Re: Battery charging times
Thanks to all for your imput. I drive both cars quite a bit during the summer. I took the 61 to a cruise night a couple of weeks ago and the 65 was out about five days ago and went through a tank of gas.(L78) I agree Duke that starting them just to warm them up is not a good idea. I like the idea of an ammeter inline to see if there is a drain. I'll post what I find if anything.Comment
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Re: Battery charging times
If you donot use your car often use a battery disconnect. Then after charge there will be no issue.Comment
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Re: Battery charging times
Don, both the cars have a battery disconnect. The charger is only charging the battery when it is connected.Comment
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