Well I have a couple of things relative to my car's battery, The SG32NPP battery I bought from the Battery Central Mall in Feb 2021 for my 57 D code suddenly died yesterday. Dead died. Worked until I parked it. Went to start it 10 minutes later and it was completely dead. Would not even take a jump start. So it lasted exactly, to the day, 3 years. In checking my paperwork I found some instructions on how to properly maintain the battery. While I kept the car on a
Battery Tender that is supposed to handle AGM batteries, I did not follow the instructions (naturally) that came with the battery, These state to charge the battery every 2 months using a 10amp or 12 amp charger, only. Anyway, I have not had a battery just quit like that with no warning, and to be completely dead, when it worked just fine 10 minutes earlier. When I tried to jump start it, a fellow from the inevitable group that comes to help in a parking lot, put a tester on the battery. It showed it was fully charged. Yet, only the clock was running. But it would not do a thing when I tried the ignition, nor would the headlights come on. I was later told that the battery could only have had a "surface charge" but could not take a load. I never heard of that before.
I had a old battery, Interstate 29 NF-VHD (4 1/2) years old in the garage, that on occasion I had placed on the
battery tender. It started the car right away. Drove the car back about 4 miles, parked it, etc. Went to start the car this morning, and it would barely turn over, and without a jump, no start. Jumped it, car started right up. Fast idle for about 4 minutes, turned the car off, started right back up. I cannot figure out what could be causing a drain while parked, as there is nothing, other than the clock running. Now to finding a replacement battery... Maybe I just have two too old batteries that decided to give up the ghost together so I figured a new battery could hurt.
Tried all of the name brand auto stores here in the Las Vegas area. Group 32 are not happening. Group 29: Firestone "may" have been able to order one, but they don't carry Interstate anymore, O'Reilly's no go. They showed a 29 NF battery, but when they looked to order, it said "not available."
Autozone no go,
Napa had an old 29nf, didn't want to sell it to me because of age, and could order one. It would have a 6 month replacement guarantee. Advance Auto
Parts could order a Diehard 29NF and have it by tomorrow. We, and yes "we" needed two, as my buddy's 55's battery (converted to 12 volt) died this morning at the show we were at. Maybe it is me sucking the mojo out? Anyway, we ordered the two Die Hards, with their 1 year warranty. Promised to be in the local store tomorrow.
But I am at a loss as to what could have caused my 2 battery's to conk out. Especially so suddenly and completely in the case of the AGM from Battery Central Mall. Maybe just a coincidence. Could my
alternator be playing a role? I have a 3 year old Power Master that looks like the old generator. It is charging, as once jumped and idled for a few minutes, the old Interstate battery started the car no problem. When the car is off, could the
alternator somehow be draining the battery? I have now put a disconnector on the negative post of the battery and disconnected the negative while parked, and will see what happens in the AM.
I'll let you all know if the ordered batteries actually show up. Perhaps there is another size that will work besides a 29 NF or 32 as trying to get a 32 is virtually impossible, and the 29 is getting more difficult? If there is I could not figure out an alternative. Anyone have one that works, and we can actually find?
