Battery know how!! Tricks for the trade!

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Soonermark, Dec 10, 2019.

  1. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Those meters are $6 at harbor freight

    Sometimes on sell for less.

    Correction. They've actually gone up $.39
     
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  2. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    I get them free with coupon.
     
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  3. Johny41

    Johny41 Road Train Member

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    Yes, if I'm in truck and is cold bellow 0-10F, or i start it every 3-4 hours to keep oil coolant warm and batteries charged for Webasto cab heater.
    Cold starts are very damaging for motors, especially for diesel, I read that most of engine failures here in Canada are caused by cold starts .
    I use Rottela T6 0/5w40, synthetic , have block heater but no power close to my parking , so if parked for few days, i use this generator for few years , block heater needs around 1800watts, take it in my car plug it , watch oil coolant temp rise on gauges, or touch the engine block, it's getting warm after 45min-1 hour. What's nice about this Yamaha, see photo it has 2x110v for block heater and ...12volts DC outlets to charge batteries.
    The better solution is Espar, Webasto engine coolant heaters.
     

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    Last edited: Dec 11, 2019
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  4. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    No, the battery for my Camaro is $513.:eek:
     
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  5. FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

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    Cold isn't as bad as everyone thinks. Heat is what tears them up the worst. Try not to run them down (it happens to all of us so not knocking anyone). They have a harder time bouncing back everytime. I used to race rc cars back in the day in you learn a stupid crazy amount of battery tech in how to get the most out of them and make them last. Pretty much the same care goes into lead acid, nimh, nmch.
     
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  6. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    I have seen one even light an old school test light that way. Does not take much to get a reading on a meter. Takes a lot more to light a light bulb.
     
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  7. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    Sounds like you have a Freightliner with the ground stud on the frame? Where do you find those washers?
     
  8. rolls canardly

    rolls canardly Road Train Member

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    Google -serrated electrical star washers.

    Modern Classic Muscle
    1977 6 CYLINDER GROUND STRAP TO ENGINE SCREW STAR WASHER
    $0.95
    SKU 4724GM-WEB4000

    Try Grainger supply co. - first.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
    Another engineering marvel - they put the grounding location 6" behind cab - in the rain??
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2019
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  9. jeffman164

    jeffman164 Medium Load Member

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    Just bought 4 batteries today . $109 a piece at Sams ( Duracell) .
     
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  10. HoneyBadger67

    HoneyBadger67 Road Train Member

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    0 gauge jumper cables are worth their cost. Close to $100 for a set 20' long at that one nice truckstop in Laredo. (The one with the hot *fresh* deli inside and the new truck wash.)
     
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