Forum Discussion

wealthwise's avatar
wealthwise
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013

Battery Problem

I have a problem with a starter battery at least I believe it's a starter battery. It shows cold cranking amps so it's got to be a starter battery, it's connected to another battery that's fully charged over 12 volts. I had to add distilled water to the cells I"m not sure if they could be bad, I tried charging it in regular and trickle but I couldn't get past 12.70 volts, last night It was at 12.55 and today it's at 12.12, could this battery be bad? I don't have a hydrometer to test it, do you think it needs to be replaced? Being that's a starter shouldn't it recharge with the alternator or is it controlled by the isolator?
Thanks for any help.
  • Back in my early car and truck repair days, we would test a battery for a bad cell by 1) charging the battery 2) striking an arc across the posts, instantaneously. If the voltage measurement drops significantly, it was indicative of a bad cell.
  • I think it may be a dead cell, but then again who knows.
    Thanks anyways.
  • Agreed, Voltage drop that fast is probably a bad cell, or a pile of sediment starting to short cells. Just get a new one.
  • If the battery was sitting disconnected and dropped from 12.7 to 12.1 one day after charging.... save yourself the testing and get a new battery.
  • Checked the distributor locator on Interstate's web site and they don't have any here in Santa Fe and I'm not going to Albuquerque any time soon, ironically not till Oct, when I leave the state to move. So other than Autouzone, where else can I get this battery tested?
    Thanks
  • MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    Mark the wires and take it to an INTERSTATE BATTERY DISTRIBUTOR who will test it for you. If the battery should be found to be good return to the forum for more advice.


    X2
  • Mark the wires and take it to an INTERSTATE BATTERY DISTRIBUTOR who will test it for you. If the battery should be found to be good return to the forum for more advice.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,211 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 09, 2025