Batterry problem on columbia

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by lzgny, Jan 27, 2015.

  1. lzgny

    lzgny Bobtail Member

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    Oct 14, 2014
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    hi.
    i am new to this forum and trucking so need your advises.

    i have Fr Columbia 05 . i had old batteries on it and ld inverter so i put new cobra 2500W inverter and 2 weeks ago bought 4 new batteries . installed batteries , connected cables , connected inverter but even with new batteries if i run inverter with engine off for 30mins -1hr then i wont be able to start the truck.showed it to mechanic in truck stop, he checked batteries with some meter connected to it and said that everything looks ok. so now i disconnected inverter completely .
    what can be the problem ? starter ? alternator looks ok becase as soon as you start engine (with 12.6 on dashboard) in less than minute voltage goes to 13.4 .

    also when i turn the key to start the engine and if it takes 5-7 seconds to start positive cable becomes very hot and burns plastic because of that i already replaced one battery because i was not able to remove screw .

    hope i explained it in details if not please let me know so i can explain further. need your help to fix this problem.
    thanks in advance
     
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  3. skyviper73

    skyviper73 Heavy Load Member

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    Centennial, CO
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    Idle your truck when you use your inverter. The inverter uses a lot of power. I need to idle my truck when I use my microwave. Maybe you need an APU if you are trying to avoid idling.
     
  4. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    Merrimack, NH
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    What are you running off the inverter? If your using a Mr. Coffee or Microwave you should always run the trucks engine. They are big power draws. A 700 watt microwave does not mean it takes 700 watts to run. It means it cooks with 700 watts but uses 1,500 to actually run.
     
  5. cdub304

    cdub304 Light Load Member

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    Dec 7, 2009
    Rockford,IL
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    if i was you i would replace the positive and negative series battery connectors.....sound like one on the screws or maybe two are broken inside of the plastic piece. you wont be able to tell with them on the battery.
     
  6. lzgny

    lzgny Bobtail Member

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    Oct 14, 2014
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    forgot to add . i am running black and decker refrigerator . usually i idle the truck when using microwave and refrig . but again does refrig takes so much power that it will drain battery in 1-2 hours? what is the maximum time your inverters can run your appliances before it drains below 12.4 ?
     
  7. lzgny

    lzgny Bobtail Member

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    Oct 14, 2014
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    .........deleted
     
  8. lzgny

    lzgny Bobtail Member

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    Oct 14, 2014
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    you mean main cables that connects to batteries ?

    also is there difference how you connect your batteries to main cables and inverter ?

    i have 4 batteries connected to each other , positive cable was connected to first battery and negative to last one . inverter was connected positive to second battery ) and negative to first battery .
     
  9. Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    Sep 9, 2014
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    Check the 6 gauge power cable running between the alternator & starter; focus on the area of the wire underside of the engine where the two wire supports are...pull the encapsulating insulation apart and look for a break in the wire.
     
  10. Helowrenchturn2

    Helowrenchturn2 Medium Load Member

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    Apr 23, 2013
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    I would start with all of the chassis grounds as well as where the ground attaches to the starter. Put a wrench on that nut and make sure it is tight. There is one on the frame behind the driver side steer and there is on on the frame near the battery box. If the positive cable is getting as hot as you say then I can almost guarantee a bad ground somewhere. Bad ground=high resistance=more heat

    i actually had a starter a few months ago that was bad that would roast your fingers if you touched it, turned out it was going bad on the inside.
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2015
  11. lzgny

    lzgny Bobtail Member

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    Oct 14, 2014
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    thank you guys for advises.
    here is more of what i remember.
    when i was waiting in line for check up (battery diagnostic at the truck stop ) i couldnt start my truck. opened battery box and while i turned ignition key i saw sparkles coming from battery . tried to disconnect positive cable from battery but when itried to loosen the screw terminal started rotating too. so now i had little loosen positive cable which (screw wont come off because of battery terminal) and couldnt start it up. tried to use jumper cable form service truck attached to positive and negative terminals( dont know how to call them ) on truck body and still had no luck . 10 minutes later i was able to start it , drove to the shop and the guy just cut the terminal to remove positive cable and i ended up buying one more (this time refurbished) battery . when he pluged in smal device to batteries did some tests( throttle , high beam , low beam , throttle again) he said that there is nothing wrong with batteries and also said that problems were because positive cable was not tighten enough .
    since then it starts better , will try again to start the engine tomorrow or thursday after snow storm and will see how it goes. i hope this time it starts up easy .

    but still your comments very appreciated .
    thanks
     
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