battery keeps draining

[nvrhapy]

hey guys my 96 explorer keeps draining my battery in about a 24 hour period my battery will go fron 12 volts down to 10. not really sure what it could be are there any common problems that the explorer my have to cause this? when i run my car the alt seems to charge so i don't think thats draining the battery. othr then that i don't know what it could be, any tips or ideas to find the problem would be great.

 

[Blee1099]

How old is your battery?

 

[nvrhapy]

battery is not old at all, it was sitting n my garage for a few weeks and nvr dropped below 12 volts put it in my truck yesterday and now the truck won't start

 

[FreeWheelin4x4]

Where was the battery sitting? If sitting on the floor, concrete tends to drain and reverse some cells. Might need a new battery.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Couldn't hurt to get it load tested. Also, measure for a draw on the vehicle to make sure something isn't pull power when it shouldn't.

-Drew

 

[5.0L96Exp]

I know this is going to contradict what people believed for the past 100 years but storing a battery on the concrete floor is IN FACT MORE OF A GOOD THING THAN BAD. Wait... before you say wtf who is this idiot and where did he come up with this crazy theory let me explain.. We all know batteries discharge over time, some faster than others. When a lead acid battery discharges sulfite crystals form on the plates, this is called "sulfation" when too many crystals form we have a dead/shorted battery. This is bad and is the reason why 90% of batteries end up in the dump. The hotter the battery and surrounding air the faster your battery will discharge, the colder the slower it will discharge. By placing the battery on a cool concrete floor the floor acts as a heat sink sucking heat away from the battery (heat is generated by the natural chemical process occurring within the battery). So by cooling the battery we slow the discharge process = good thing. But too much of a good thing can be bad.. If we freeze the battery (yes this happens in Canada) than the plates warp and should they touch become a short, hence a dead cell. Overcharging can also warp the plates causing a dead cell. When this happens its time for a new battery. Food for thought? If I have two batteries both measure 12"x12"x12". Battery A is rated at 700CCA and battery B is rated at 1000CCA. Which battery do I buy and why?

 

[5.0L96Exp]

Oh and don’t let the age of the battery fool you.. Most batteries are shipped dry and mixed once on location.. If the ratio of sulfuric acid to h20 isn’t within spec you will end up with a lousy battery.. Always have them mix a new battery and have them charge it for you while you wait (well over night).. You'll also want to check the ratio with a hydrometer and be certain all the plates are completely covered with liquid before you leave.

 

[IZwack]

5.0L96exp >> great explanation

 

[nvrhapy]

that battery didn't drain until i installed it in the truck. it was fine when i had it on my work bench for 3 weeks then i put it in my truck and boom it drained it down to 10 volts in like 24 hours. i put a test light between the battery and the positve cable to see if there was any power being pulled and a weird thing happened the test light would light up every second and what sounds like a relay or something under my steering wheel starts clicking. so i don't know whats goin on

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Test lights are useless for diagnosis, unless your checking fuses. You need an amp/volt meter bad. You need to check for a draw and start pulling fuses if it is too high of a draw.

-Drew