Charging Battery

[shoop]

I'm trying to make sure I charge the battery correctly according to the instructions here: https://www.chevrolet.com/bypass/pc.../en_US/2.0/2k13tahsub-4234996529374405009.pdf

It says: "Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump starting terminal and a remote negative (−) jump starting terminal. You should always use these remote terminals instead of the terminals on the battery."

I don't think the negative cable can reach it the remote negative terminal. Is there another spot I can put negative?

 

[Geotrash]

I'm trying to make sure I charge the battery correctly according to the instructions here: https://www.chevrolet.com/bypass/pc.../en_US/2.0/2k13tahsub-4234996529374405009.pdf

It says: "Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump starting terminal and a remote negative (−) jump starting terminal. You should always use these remote terminals instead of the terminals on the battery."

I don't think the negative cable can reach it the remote negative terminal. Is there another spot I can put negative?

I always use the terminals on the battery on mine. Have done so for years. My 2012 is a dedicated towing rig and spends 95% of the time in the garage - often not being driven for weeks. So I keep a battery maintainer on it and have never had a problem.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

^^^x2^^^

 

[B-train]

You can also find a clean piece of metal (most likely aluminum) on the accessory mounts, or a dedicated ground lug on the block. I usually go to the battery for the positive cable, but they bury these new batteries so the negative is usually harder to reach. In that case I find a good piece of block to go to for the negative

 

[OR VietVet]

Unless I am in a hurry, I like to disconnect the battery and screw in a couple of correct thread bolts and charge the battery that way. This gives me a chance to check connections and cables for corrosion. Otherwise, I like to attach charging cables right at the battery. When you clamp the charging cables on, wiggle a little to get a good connection. The connection at positive battery is fine and can use a remote ground source as long as battery charger readout shows a good connection.

Next question: Why are you charging the battery? You did not say. Alternator problems? If swapping out a battery, charge it outside the battery tray and then check alternator output after a restart and with a few loads on the system.

 

[Doubeleive]

I'm trying to make sure I charge the battery correctly according to the instructions here: https://www.chevrolet.com/bypass/pc.../en_US/2.0/2k13tahsub-4234996529374405009.pdf

It says: "Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump starting terminal and a remote negative (−) jump starting terminal. You should always use these remote terminals instead of the terminals on the battery."

I don't think the negative cable can reach it the remote negative terminal. Is there another spot I can put negative?

Just use the battery terminals, they only put that in the manual in case you are a few short of a 6-pack and reverse the cables and blow the battery up, if you connect it backwards using the negative bracket then it just pops a fuse

 

[intheburbs]

Are you talking about charging or jumpstarting?

They state it that way because of the tiniest remote possibility that the battery has outgassed some hydrogen, any spark near the battery could cause a fire or explosion. Dead batteries are more likely to be giving off hydrogen.

As stated previously, the remote locations are encouraged to minimize sparking near the battery.

For jumpstarting, clamping the ground onto any stout metal piece works well. Not so much for charging, given the much lower current levels. An actual charger (not a battery jumpstarter) should be connected to the actual battery terminals.

Most chargers nowadays are some kind of smart charger that analyzes battery voltage/condition. The added resistance of an indirect connection could add enough electrical resistance to throw off the charger's reading.

 

[shoop]

Next question: Why are you charging the battery?

Sitting awhile thought I would charge it up more

 

[shoop]

I have the SSV unit with battery in top left and battery front right. Would I charge battery in top left?

 

[swathdiver]

Sitting awhile thought I would charge it up more

Get a battery tender and put quick disconnect ring terminals on it for when it sits. This is what we do.

 

[OR VietVet]

Those battery tenders are the way to go. As long as you have a power source.

 

[intheburbs]

I have the SSV unit with battery in top left and battery front right. Would I charge battery in top left?

Passenger side battery up against the firewall is your primary, driver's side is secondary. Severely drained batteries should be charged with a charger, not your alternator.

Connect the charger to each of them separately. But for starting, you'd want to charge the primary.

 

[shoop]

If I disconnect negative from primary battery will there still be power? I need to disconnect battery to remove seats

 

[OR VietVet]

Disconnect both, to be completely safe.

 

[intheburbs]

If I disconnect negative from primary battery will there still be power? I need to disconnect battery to remove seats

The SSVs have an ignition switch-activated isolator. When the ignition is off, the isolator disconnects the secondary. Ignition turns on, it connects the secondary. If you just turn on the ignition with the hood open (or better, a helper sticking their head over the engine) without starting the engine, you should hear a loud "thunk" of the isolator. It's on the firewall on the driver's side. So disconnecting the primary battery's ground cable should kill the truck.

Otherwise, yeah, just disconnect the ground cable of both batteries.

 

[shoop]

Anyone know how I can get access to nut? Tried putting socket wrench but plastic on battery in way

 

[Fless]

The post clamp bolt? You could double-nut the threaded end and screw it out that way.

 

[OR VietVet]

Which nut? The battery clamp nut or the ground wire attaching nut? Plastic on battery? Use a 1/4" drive socket.

I see @Fless answer now. Can you get a socket on the bolt head?

 

[shoop]

Yes I’m trying to slide socket on where arrow is but becomes all cockeyed because plastic is in way. Using 3/8 socket and 10 mm socket

 

[shoop]

I think I need a different tool I tried sliding a socket wrench on positive side where no issue with getting on but won’t fit on nut. Tried different sizes