OR VietVet Is Still Throwing $$$ at 2005 Z71

[Joseph Garcia]

Well, today it happened. We decided to drive to Oakridge, Or., after my VA had me do an EchoCardioGram, at a local hospital.

Tahoe started and ran fine. Drove to hospital and started fine when leaving. Drove to my favorite restaurant in Oakridge, called Campfire Grill. Started to leave from there and no problems, and then drive up Willamette Highway to a favorite recreation spot for river watching. Several rapids there. We both needed to use the bathroom. Pulled in and shut off Tahoe. Went to leave and engine started to spin for exactly .5 second. then nothing, I mean nothing. No dash lights, no lights at all. I checked connections. All clean and tight. I checked all fuses for anything to do with "ignition". I turned very hard at the key in hopes that maybe the ignition switch had slipped. Got a nice lady with a new Silverado to attempt a jump. Got lights but even after hooked up for 30 minutes, the engine would not spin any longer than 2 seconds and even then at a very slow speed. I did get lights back, till unhooked cables. I thanked her for trying.

I got ahold of a local shop and they brought me a new 6 year MTP-78DT Interstate battery. at a cost of 224.95. I like Interstate Batteries, anyway. $30 service call. He brought tools and I helped hold cables out of the way and the engine fired right up. Drove back to his shop, approximately 5 miles away. Great guy, named Kanyon. This big guy has a great name. Tipped him $40 and at shop we checked the alternator and charging system is fine. The old battery was a 5 year Interstate AGM battery. Sticker on it showed 06/21. 5 years to the month. None/no warning at all. One minute good and charging gauge showing good and then, NOTHING. He likes the Campfire Grill Chicken Fried Steak. I am going to call them tomorrow and set up a meal for Kanyon. I called the guy, we talked and said he had a new Interstate battery and would be there in 40 minutes. Had to finish another job he was on. He was there at 39 minutes. Other calls to tow to home, 44 miles, were between $550 and $600. It was a 2 hour ordeal. **** Occurs!

Ca*Ca?????Really????? Instead of saying Sh**it happens! I said Ca*Ca....

PC can ki******ss my a*****rse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And, that is why I have a second battery in the engine well, fully charged, but not constantly connected, unless I need to connect (with quick disconnect connectors) for situations JUST like you encountered.

 

[OR VietVet]

And, that is why I have a second battery in the engine well, fully charged, but not constantly connected, unless I need to connect (with quick disconnect connectors) for situations JUST like you encountered.

That may well be exactly what I do.

 

[homesick]

Why not get a jump box?

joe

 

[Tonyrodz]

Why not get a jump box?

joe

If he does, gotta make sure he gets a good one. I've bought 3 different ones that have been garbage.

 

[homesick]

If he does, gotta make sure he gets a good one. I've bought 3 different ones that have been garbage.

Yeah, I've had trouble with that too.

joe

 

[Fless]

The problem with jump boxes is they generally don't work if the battery is too low. I think there are some that can override that feature, but I don't have any specific examples. I've had to use jumper cables AND a jump box a few times when the battery was dead. Jumper cables so the jump box could sense the polarity.

 

[the 18th letter]

And, that is why I have a second battery in the engine well, fully charged, but not constantly connected, unless I need to connect (with quick disconnect connectors) for situations JUST like you encountered.

How difficult is it to maintain a 2nd battery that’s not being cycled by the alternator? Do they need to be replaced less, or more often than the primary battery.

 

[OR VietVet]

The lady that helped me did have a jump box and it would not turn the engine over and was fully charged up. As I said in my post, we then hooked up the jumper cables I had and it allowed for a longer time of about 2 seconds of engine crank but still not at regular engine cranking speed. the battery that I had was soooo dead, it would not allow a jump. The lady revved engine up to 1500 rpm for 10 minutes and still would not crank correctly. A second battery in the engine compartment might have helped jumped the engine but I doubt it since even trying to use jumper cables with her truck did not work. Perhaps swapping the batteries under the hood may have done it. As far as a second battery being charged up enough, it would need to be charged fully thru the existing charging system of the truck or every day at home before leaving for a trip.

It boils down to me messing up. The battery sticker, on old battery, says 06/21 and it was right at 5 years when it failed. My fault completely. Guaranteed, will not happen again.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

How difficult is it to maintain a 2nd battery that’s not being cycled by the alternator? Do they need to be replaced less, or more often than the primary battery.

About once a month, I connect the second battery to the system and run with it for about 100 miles. I've never had an issue with it, though, I've had very few times where I needed it, SO FAR.

The most recent time that I needed it was when I was using my bi-directional scanner to troubleshoot an issue. I had it connected to the truck, with the ignition in the Accessory position doing various testing for a few hours. When I went to start the truck, my primary battery was drawn down, and the truck would not turn over. I simply connected my second battery, and the truck started right up.

As an ancillary battery maintenance procedure, about once every 6 months, I connect each battery (separately) to a pulse charger, and let it run for about 24 hours, by which time the pulse charger has done its job. This extends battery life all by itself.

 

[homesick]

The problem with jump boxes is they generally don't work if the battery is too low. I think there are some that can override that feature, but I don't have any specific examples. I've had to use jumper cables AND a jump box a few times when the battery was dead. Jumper cables so the jump box could sense the polarity.

After 2 failures, I now have one that claims it can override that dead battery thing. If it turns out that it can't, I'm gonna see what my mechanics, and what AAA, use.

joe

 

[homesick]

The lady that helped me did have a jump box and it would not turn the engine over and was fully charged up. As I said in my post, we then hooked up the jumper cables I had and it allowed for a longer time of about 2 seconds of engine crank but still not at regular engine cranking speed. the battery that I had was soooo dead, it would not allow a jump. The lady revved engine up to 1500 rpm for 10 minutes and still would not crank correctly. A second battery in the engine compartment might have helped jumped the engine but I doubt it since even trying to use jumper cables with her truck did not work. Perhaps swapping the batteries under the hood may have done it. As far as a second battery being charged up enough, it would need to be charged fully thru the existing charging system of the truck or every day at home before leaving for a trip.

It boils down to me messing up. The battery sticker, on old battery, says 06/21 and it was right at 5 years when it failed. My fault completely. Guaranteed, will not happen again.

I spent hours, one day last week, waiting on the heart hospital to run some tests on Mama.

I was out in the truck, listening to the jukebox [MP3s], on ACC. At 3.5 to 4 hours the battery died.

I was surprised but the AAA tech said he'd only go 1.2 to 2 hours before starting and charging.

AAA to the rescue.

joe

 

[West 1]

I had a 2001 Denali with the Bose sound system. I worked Ski patrol at that time so on the mountain at 7:30 and not done till the last person is off the hill and all terrain had been checked clear. So 6:00 at night, tired and just wanting to go home I go to the car, find my son has been there relaxing waiting for me to wrap up work. He ran the radio with the amp while waiting a couple hours. Damn battery was dead and almost everyone was gone. Lucky the security guy was still there and jumped me so we could get home.

After that I installed the second battery, now I had 2 900 amp batteries. Never had an issue after that. I did want to slap my son for draining the battery when he could have waited inside the lodge. I put double batteries in my next 2 rigs. Now retired from ski patrol work my 08 Denali only has the one battery and it leaves me nervous. I wired my batteries in like the police duty versions so both batteries worked 100% connected. Only problem is if one battery fails you need to replace both because your charging system can oly charge to the max of the weaker battery.

Joe I hope your bride is OK and the tests went well.

 

[homesick]

About once a month, I connect the second battery to the system and run with it for about 100 miles. I've never had an issue with it, though, I've had very few times where I needed it, SO FAR.

The most recent time that I needed it was when I was using my bi-directional scanner to troubleshoot an issue. I had it connected to the truck, with the ignition in the Accessory position doing various testing for a few hours. When I went to start the truck, my primary battery was drawn down, and the truck would not turn over. I simply connected my second battery, and the truck started right up.

As an ancillary battery maintenance procedure, about once every 6 months, I connect each battery (separately) to a pulse charger, and let it run for about 24 hours, by which time the pulse charger has done its job. This extends battery life all by itself.

I've used 'Battery Tender' float chargers for many years. I was unaware of 'pulse chargers' until your post here.

I've been reading some, and am now curious about 'BatteryMinder' brand.

What do you like?

joe

 

[homesick]

I had a 2001 Denali with the Bose sound system. I worked Ski patrol at that time so on the mountain at 7:30 and not done till the last person is off the hill and all terrain had been checked clear. So 6:00 at night, tired and just wanting to go home I go to the car, find my son has been there relaxing waiting for me to wrap up work. He ran the radio with the amp while waiting a couple hours. Damn battery was dead and almost everyone was gone. Lucky the security guy was still there and jumped me so we could get home.

After that I installed the second battery, now I had 2 900 amp batteries. Never had an issue after that. I did want to slap my son for draining the battery when he could have waited inside the lodge. I put double batteries in my next 2 rigs. Now retired from ski patrol work my 08 Denali only has the one battery and it leaves me nervous. I wired my batteries in like the police duty versions so both batteries worked 100% connected. Only problem is if one battery fails you need to replace both because your charging system can oly charge to the max of the weaker battery.

Joe I hope your bride is OK and the tests went well.

Sorry. That was kinda rude. She was 7 hours in that testing. She still has a surgery or two pending; but that went well, and she's pretty much got her strength and spirit back.

Thank you.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I've used 'Battery Tender' float chargers for many years. I was unaware of 'pulse chargers' untilyour post here.

I've been reading some, and am now curious about 'BatteryMinder' brand.

What do you like?

joe

I have the PulseTech Xtreme Charge XC400, and it works great for me.

 

[OR VietVet]

Alright, I just went and looked at the spot for the second battery. I can see removing the curved brace. Someone please send me info, video links and part numbers for the second battery tray and hold down and recommended battery to fit in there. Does look like the height is limited. If have second battery, does the brace reinstall or have to be left out?

 

[West 1]

The brace is left out. Height was not an issue using side post batteries like OEM. I don’t have the part numbers the dealer should have the police use options available.

 

[OR VietVet]

The brace is left out. Height was not an issue using side post batteries like OEM. I don’t have the part numbers the dealer should have the police use options available.

More Information for DORMAN 00085

Is this the right side battery tray I need?

I had an off road rig before and I had 2 batteries. I had the second battery grounded with a cable from the battery ground to a spot on the engine. I then ran a positive cable from the positive of the second battery to the positive of the main battery. The alternator then charged both batteries.

Looks like the right side battery tray uses the same battery hold down as the main battery. Just have to make sure of side terminal battery upper clearance and all should be good. Sound correct?

 

[Tonyrodz]

More Information for DORMAN 00085

Is this the right side battery tray I need?

I had an off road rig before and I had 2 batteries. I had the second battery grounded with a cable from the battery ground to a spot on the engine. I then ran a positive cable from the positive of the second battery to the positive of the main battery. The alternator then charged both batteries.

Looks like the right side battery tray uses the same battery hold down as the main battery. Just have to make sure of side terminal battery upper clearance and all should be good. Sound correct?

If I'm not mistaken--isn't there a battery tray already there from the factory? Pretty sure there's one there. Take a look on the passenger side--under the fender brace.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

More Information for DORMAN 00085

Is this the right side battery tray I need?

I had an off road rig before and I had 2 batteries. I had the second battery grounded with a cable from the battery ground to a spot on the engine. I then ran a positive cable from the positive of the second battery to the positive of the main battery. The alternator then charged both batteries.

Looks like the right side battery tray uses the same battery hold down as the main battery. Just have to make sure of side terminal battery upper clearance and all should be good. Sound correct?

I would put a quick disconnect on the positive wire connecting the 2 batteries. I get having the 2 batteries always connected will ensure that the second battery remains fully charged without any action on your part. But, having them both always connected won't alleviate that situation of the boy playing your truck's radio without the truck running and running both batteries down together, or inadvertently leaving some device on in the truck overnight and having it run both batteries down together.