Car Battery question

derf · 07-24-2010, 08:04 PM

My truck was had to start today, and the battery had been in it for almost 4 years so I drove it to the store, and bought a new battery. The old one had expanded and the sides were buldging at least 1/2 inch on each side.

What would cause that? Other than age?

Rangerscott · 07-24-2010, 08:07 PM

Over charging. Thats dangeroos.

Captain Morgan · 07-24-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rangerscott

Over charging. Thats dangeroos.

Beat me to it. Have your alternator tested. Parts stores like Autozone will test it for free, you just need to take it off the truck and take it into the store.

derf · 07-24-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rangerscott

Over charging. Thats dangeroos.

No I thought of that, its charging between 13.5 and 14.5 while driving

tallywacker · 07-24-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

No I thought of that, its charging between 13.5 and 14.5 while driving

Trusting the factory gauge = fail. Your battery was slowly melting so its most likely the problem. Unless your using an aftermarket gauge in there while driving the only proper reading your going to get is by using a multimeter and revving the engine.

derf · 07-24-2010, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallywacker

Trusting the factory gauge = fail. Your battery was slowly melting so its most likely the problem. Unless your using an aftermarket gauge in there while driving the only proper reading your going to get is by using a multimeter and revving the engine.

multimeter

tallywacker · 07-24-2010, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

multimeter

Good deal

Rangerscott · 07-24-2010, 08:17 PM

Also need to see if the voltage regulator is in the alt or seperate.

101lifts2 · 07-25-2010, 01:22 AM

Normally that is sign that the a battery was frozen, but I think I've seen an overcharging condition cause this as well.

When did this occur? Is it possible that this was like this during the winter and you just noticed it now?

thirdgenlxi · 07-25-2010, 02:17 AM

When batteries short internally they'll expand like that too. Often times they'll blow up not too long after. Had that happen in a truck a few months ago.... it went kaboom soon as the truck started up and it started charging (I told the guy he needed a battery and he declined.... oh well!)

07-24-2010, 08:04 PM	#1
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	Car Battery question My truck was had to start today, and the battery had been in it for almost 4 years so I drove it to the store, and bought a new battery. The old one had expanded and the sides were buldging at least 1/2 inch on each side. What would cause that? Other than age? __________________

07-25-2010, 01:22 AM	#9
101lifts2 WSB Champion Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Moto: 2009 Kawi ZX6R Posts: 5,570	Normally that is sign that the a battery was frozen, but I think I've seen an overcharging condition cause this as well. When did this occur? Is it possible that this was like this during the winter and you just noticed it now? __________________ Train Hard Ron Paul - 2012 Mark of Excellence GM

07-25-2010, 02:17 AM	#10
thirdgenlxi They call me a ride whore Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mills River, NC Moto: 2004 CBR 600 F4i Posts: 353	When batteries short internally they'll expand like that too. Often times they'll blow up not too long after. Had that happen in a truck a few months ago.... it went kaboom soon as the truck started up and it started charging (I told the guy he needed a battery and he declined.... oh well!) __________________ *-Jared* Black/Red '04 CBR 600 F4i - 253,500 miles and counting Black '89 Accord LX-i sedan - 435,200 miles still going strong States visited on my F4i facebook.com/thirdgenlxi

07-24-2010, 08:07 PM	#2
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	Over charging. Thats dangeroos.

07-24-2010, 08:17 PM	#8
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	Also need to see if the voltage regulator is in the alt or seperate.