Battery Woes!!!1

I have been having some issues with my Battery in my CJ.

I put it on the charger the other night and gave it a full charge on trickle.

I grabbed my Volt meter and showed 12.34 volt on the posts. I have the battery mounted in the tray, but disconnected the postive cable on the post.

Around 24 hours later, I grabbed my volt meter and I showed 5.54 volts on the battery. No load on the battery, nor was the Jeep started in 24 hours.

I suspect a bad battery. I can return it for a brand new one, no charge (It is a year old, and basicly no use on it at all).

Battery in question:

 

Time for a new battery “no charge”

 

That is what I am thinking, but I want to make sure I am not missing something obvious.

 

To test the electrical system properly you need 12.6 volts at the battery first.

Editick up the new battery then let us know how it works out for you.

 

Understood, but how critical is that .25 volts?

I don't think the battery should see a drop of 6.8 volts in 24 hours without a complete circut connected. The positive lead was disconnected. It was not even touching the battery, nor anything else. :?

 

A fully charged battery measures something like 13.2V as I recall. If you're using a trickle charger, it can take longer than overnight to return a low battery to fully charged. Try charging for a few days.

Sounds to me like you have a defective battery though.

 

At 12.34 your battery was only 70% charged. A 100% charged battery is 12.7 volts, you should make sure when charging your battery voltage is between 13.25 and 13.75 volts.

 

It shouldn't self-discharge that fast go get a new one.

 

I'd disconnect the ground as well
then do retest

 

The Super HDX is a private-label battery Exide makes for 4-Wheel Parts Center. It’s the same as the Exide Orbital, and you should charge using their recommendations for the Orbital series –

Constant Voltage charge (recommended for deeply discharged battery) 14.6VDC 15A max, 8-18 hours
Trickle Charge 1.5A 13.08VDC on, 14.4VDC off point.

It shouldn’t discharge on its own with one terminal disconnected, unless it is heavily slopped over with dirt and acid. Examine the case around the posts – if you see a bulge under the positive terminal, the battery has been overcharging, and has had it. A bulge in the sides of the case means it has sat for a long time while full of electrolyte, is sulphated, and has had it. A bulge under the negative terminal is from improper charge/discharge cycling (wrong rates) – the battery is sulphated and has had it. If the case looks flat and smooth, I’d try charging to Exide’s specs, and re-test it.

 

Update: Took the battery back to 4 wheel parts and they replaced it with a Red Top Optima.

 

Good news! Sometimes things go your way

 

And so, is the problem gone, or only masked until the system does the same thing to this battery? The problem description sounded as though there might have been another issue besides a bogus battery. One year old batteries shouldn't fail so easily, should they?

 

While I agree that 1 year old batteries don't fail that often we do see a few at NAPA.
Usually they fail sooner but the plates inside and dislodge or heat can really cook them

 

This is what probably caused the battery to short, I had some sort of issue with one of the wires off of the ignition switch, Since it is a "older" Jeep, one of the wires decided to bite the dust and burn up...now it didn't fry completely, but it might have hosed up the battery.

I haven't tested as of yet, I have been busy with life outside of Jeepin'. I found out I am going to be a daddy x 2! Hopefully this weekend I will be able to do a more complete test, and try to solve any electrical woes.