Mcmopar

My batteries are "losing" acid, actually it is coming out of the top of the batteries and running down the inner fenders and ruining the paint. The voolt meter in the dash is near the 14 Volt mark, when I cycle the grid heater the voltage drops down and once stated the voltage comes right back up to 14, I don't think it ever goes higher than that. Any ideas??

D2 Cat

Your batteries are being overcharged. I had this happen on a trencher a couple of years ago and it turned out being a bad ground. I first thought I had faults with the alt.

Mcmopar

Thanks, I'll look into grounds. Any other possibilities?

SoTexRattler

First, borrow or buy a Digital VoltOhmmeter and find out EXACTLY what your batteries charge voltages really are.. That gauge on the dash is just a very rough indication and can't tell you what you really need to know. (charge voltages to a tenth of a volt)
Battery temp sensor(under left battery) modifies the TCM's Voltage Regulator setpoint based on the battery temperature. See if there has been some damage to the temp sensor/wiring under the left battery.
Like D2Cat said, bad grounds that fool the Regulator's battery voltage reference signal can cause you grief too.
Check the charging voltages with and without load(headlights,A/C etc) and see how well the VR is controlling...

K.

redramnc

Mine did the same thing to me with a set of brand new batteries. Put up with it for 2 years then broke down and bought Optima red tops for it. I tested the charging circuit several times and never did get any readings out of the ordinary so I cannot say for sure what caused it (maybe just the NAPA batteries I had). I run the 2 batteries that came out of the CTD in other vehicles with no problems so it had to be my truck charging system.

It is real nice to have a clean battery with extrenal connections with no corrosion on it. When I changed batteries I also went through every ground up front, cleaned off paint under heads, added star washers, soldered some connections, and generally cleaned and coated every connection I could find. Also made up a bigger battery-to-body ground on both sides.

Mcmopar

Hi John,

What's new?? I am having a hell of a time finding the front hubs for that heavy duty stuff, been searching everywhere locally!!

So you never really figured out what was up?? Funny thing you mention the NAPA batteries, that's what I just bought!! Where did you get the Optima's?

redramnc

In keeping with my "house poor" financial position I managed to snag them down at Spring Charlotte this year. There was a guy in the green field that was selling factory "gray market" blems for $35 each, yellow top blems for $75 each and red top blems for $50 each. I heard somebody walking by our spaces talking about the guy and made my way out to the green field only to find he only had a few left. I snatched the last matching pair of red tops he had. My wife was not displeased since I had been squawking about the &^%$#&^%#%$ batteries leaking for some time and I got them for less than half price. I have the guy's card in the shop - I believe they are in Charlotte area, maybe over line in SC but will ship them anywhere, he was telling some of the guys who got there too late. I will dig out the card and post back. I think AutoZone carries them for maybe $119, maybe less on sale, but haven't been looking lately.

As for the control arms, I will keep an eye out. I need to cruise the place I got them from originally for some other stuff, anyway.

Mcmopar

Thanks-keep me "posted"

Chass

I would also take a serious look at the Orbital batteries. They are also an AGM batter. They are of similar makeup to the Optimas but the electric car racers say they are lasting WAY longer and are of higher quality. They are cheaper too . . .

The only thing to be careful of is that AGM batteries can be overcharged just the same as a regular battery. Istead of leaking they just go bad quicker.

Basically, if you have an overcharging problem, fix it before you put in brand new batteries.

Chass
ct

redramnc

Found the card:

The Battery Man
Marrietta, GA 30062 (OK, so it's not that close to Charlotte)
404-229-0016
Specializing in New and Used Optimas
Steve Ashby, Sr.

Was located a JG-214 at Spring Charlotte Autofair

And the Orbital AGM batteries look to be as good if not better for vibration and shock than Optimas (I looked at them).