Fully drained battery, keep it or not?

[Alec]

Hey all,
Well I was stupid and left my fog lights on last night again. Fully drained my battery. I've done this once before with this battery a few months ago and it charged fine with no long-term effects.

If it charges fine again and doesn't give me any trouble, is it truly ok? Or did I damage it by fully draining it? I still have a full warranty with Autozone, but if it charges and tests ok I doubt they'd trade it out.

 

[VairKing]

It should be fine, as long as you charge it completly. But if it does give you any trouble, I'd replace it.

 

[Alec]

Well I only have about 4 gallons left in the tank so after I jump it I'm gonna let it sit for about 20-30 minutes then go drive it for about 15 miles. Hopefully it will start back up after I fill up.

 

[Robb]

Alec,
The best thing you can do is slow charge it (2amp)completely. But I understand that this is difficult to do on a Friday when you need to get around.

Good Luck

Robb

 

[rvitek]

Originally posted by Alec
Well I was stupid and left my fog lights on last night again.

Any way you can wire the switch power to a key-switched fuse terminal? It only took me one time to leave my fogs on, then I re-wired that same weekend.

Good luck!

Ry.

 

[Alec]

Ryan,
It would be a royal PITA to rewire them as I did over 5 years ago and 1) don't remember the wiring much, 2) they go into a large fuse block with bunches of other wires and 3) the best way would be to rewired my console again which would take hours upon hours upon hours. Also, sometimes I use these lights with the truck off when I'm camping.

I just need to stop being a dumbass.

 

[rvitek]

Originally posted by Alec
I just need to stop being a dumbass.

I think that's the story of my life!

Ya, I hear ya Alec, I only have one set - so it's not that big of a deal for me, but with all of your switches and stuff - I don't disagree with ya!

Ry.

 

[rickfireftr]

Battery Dead

Your battery is probly dead beyond all recognition. I was a battery specialist on a submarine and once the battery is drained for far the individual 'cells' actually reverse and become loads and not sources of power. The fact that it charged up and worked for some time says something for the manufacturer. But long term life is greatly reduced because the remaining cell are compensating for the bad ones. This can also cause the battery to explode due to the reversed cell absorbing electricity and causing heat to much and boom. If you doubt this check it out with your local battery supplier or experienced electrician they will back up the story. If you can exchange it do it NOW!

 

[Alec]

Well the truck jumped fine and the battery could actually start the truck only after about 15 minutes idling (had to get gas). It was dead as a doornail though. I've since driven and started it 3 times with it working well each time. The voltage gauge reads fine.

I did buy one of those self jumper units to keep here in case I'm a dumbass again. My parking spot doesn't have any outlets and is far from the apt so I can't have a trickle charger. So I'll just keep this thing in the closet for when I need it.

If I have time I will get the battery tested though.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Alec, you can buy an inexpensive hydrometer to check it with (it reads the specific gravity). Sometimes a battery will not hold a full charge after it has been drained like yours has. If the hydrometer shows it holding only a partial charge after charging up, it won't last very long.