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This autozone cigarette lighter gauge may be your problem. The only time I got my battery light on was when I had one of this thing plugged in my 2016 GC, after I left it plugged in for couple of days. I then used it on my 2015 Honda Accord and it worked there for about a week before the battery started acting up. I had Innova 3721 battery and charging system monitor.
Good idea NOcturnal, about the meter causing a draw, I do leave it in there all the time. For my cigarette lighter the power drops out when the truck is off (there is a fix for that, by swapping a jumper somewhere). I have often used Acc. mode to check voltage before trying to start engine and would see 12.2 or 11.8 v. I would also watch while activating my handicap equipment, then compared start/finish voltages. The old OEM battery just couldn't hold a charge, but none of the service managers had the 'guts' and common sense to override the 'work process' with the GR8 meter/charger. Right now, I am not going to change a thing and see if this battery drains in 10 days, a month, or 6 months. I've got a truck customizer business down the street whom I've talked to about creating a weather tight external toggle switch and relays to disconnect my equipment if issues continue (right after I pull the meter and throw it way hahahahaaaaa).
Sadly a 'tender' is not an option, I am in out edge parking lot, no outlets anywhere close enough,, and not enough sunlight under the canopy for a solar tender. Good idea though, thanks
Sorry the gremlin seems to have jumped off me, and onto you Desert Dawg, I seriously considered a new Ford to replace the RAM, but when I put a pencil to it, with depreciation of my two yr old RAM, mark-up on the Ford, and the cost to swap my equipment, I was looking at $30 to $35 K to make the swap. That makes about $2.00 a mile operating cost. I thin I will add a 'warranty' package, from the looks of it, I'll need it. I originally was looking at Tundras, but my equipment won't fit.
I’ve been using AC Delco batteries & other parts & have had success with them. Hopefully they don’t go to crap also. I haven’t had to look at replacing mine yet but when I do I will compare them to Napa and AGM, but I hear a lot about the AGM on this forum.Several here, have mentioned Interstate brand, I know back in the 70's when I was young and poor, Interstate was my brand of choice, just seemed to be a battery that held up, lasted longer and had a better warranty than anything other than a Sears Die-Hard which seemed to be the Holy Grail of the day. Now, it's all on the CEO and the Board of Directors, who make the choice to save $2 on the construction of each battery, and end up sending the companies reputation into the toilet. Then they jump ship with a golden parachute leaving us with dead batteries or whatever they were selling. Good luck with whatever you choose, there's a lot to be said for Wal-Mart, they are everywhere, cheap price, and if they die, you carry it back in, and carry out a new one - few, if any questions asked. I drove a motorhome all over Tx, Ok, La, MN, Mich, and a little Co., and New Mexico they were always good to me. One thing I learned about Optima was, if I bought it from Auto Zone, and it died, I had to take it back to an Auto Zone, Nappa, Wal Mart and O'Rileys all would send me down the road.It’s well known in the Jeep off-road community that Optima’s are to stay away from after they’ve been popular for many years. Sucks, but that’s what many manufacturers in a many industries do.
I have had three dead battery incidents and I love my Ram 1900 Laramie but I'm sick and tired on going to the Dealership for these issues. I've also had my side mirrors switched out twice and I also have the usb error message port issue. Pissed isn't the word anymore and my vehicle has no more than 35,000 miles. It seems these issues can't be solved by the dealerships.
antigravitybatteries.com
I'm gonna plug my lithium battery. I absolutely love it. It has self "jump" capability. For someone like you having that little fob and being able to self rescue would be a godsend. Write it off as a medical expense. It weighs ~20lbs, you can pick it up like its nothing compared to a regular AGM pushing 70+lbs.
H7/Group-94R Lithium Car Battery
Antigravity H7/ Group-94R Hi-Power lightweight Lithium Automotive Battery with RE-START Technology. Replace lead/acid battery in Hi-Performance Cars.
I'm running the H7, they do make an H8, but it's the same battery internally, depending on the AH capacity you choose. I got mine from a reseller about $270 off the list price.
I will also look into this lithium battery....its a little expensive but i need to make sure these battery problems go away....I'm gonna plug my lithium battery. I absolutely love it. It has self "jump" capability. For someone like you having that little fob and being able to self rescue would be a godsend. Write it off as a medical expense. It weighs ~20lbs, you can pick it up like its nothing compared to a regular AGM pushing 70+lbs.
H7/Group-94R Lithium Car Battery
Antigravity H7/ Group-94R Hi-Power lightweight Lithium Automotive Battery with RE-START Technology. Replace lead/acid battery in Hi-Performance Cars.
I'm running the H7, they do make an H8, but it's the same battery internally, depending on the AH capacity you choose. I got mine from a reseller about $270 off the list price.
That’s ridiculous. I haven’t bought a vehicle battery in 30 years. Never even considered replacing a battery at 5 years and well over 100,000 miles. Never had one fail new from the factory. Wasn’t uncommon in the old days to get 6-7 years out of a battery even in very cold winter climates. I’ll be pretty pissed if I have to buy a new battery at 3 years. That’s just unacceptable.
What are your driving habits? Looking at 100,000 miles it appears a lot of driving.
Yes well now there's "fuel effiecent vehicles" that no longer charge the battery like they used to, they have a "smart" BMS system that only charges the battery when it absolutely has to, to keep the alternator from driving down mpg on short trips and especially until the engine is warmed up. Now the batteries are always undercharged, they don't get the "free desulfation" action the contstant variable charging used to provide so now they all crap out in a year or two.
its what all southerners deal with. Heat destroys batteries, anything 3 years or older here will die suddenly. Ive commonly got replacement batteries at the 2.98 year mark.
