Is it my battery?

[Dan T.]

Hey there.

I have an AGM Duralast Platinum that is about 2.5 years old. I noticed over the weekend that the Jeep is not turning over quite as quickly as normal so I'm wondering if I should be trouble shooting my battery or something else.

I put a multi meter on it and it is registering about 11.5v. I pulled the cables and while they were perfectly clean, I cleaned the terminals and cables anyway which hasn't helped the issue. I read that 12.6 is the number I should hope to see when testing. My wife's JL battery is registering 12.6v so thinking this is my issue.

I put less than 2,000 miles per year on the Jeep and this year I've not been driving much lately so wondering if the battery has simply discharged too much for a reliable fast turn over.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have.

thanks

Dan

 

[AndyG]

Hey there.

I have an AGM Duralast Platinum that is about 2.5 years old. I noticed over the weekend that the Jeep is not turning over quite as quickly as normal so I'm wondering if I should be trouble shooting my battery or something else.

I put a multi meter on it and it is registering about 11.5v. I pulled the cables and while they were perfectly clean, I cleaned the terminals and cables anyway which hasn't helped the issue. I read that 12.6 is the number I should hope to see when testing. My wife's JL battery is registering 12.6v so thinking this is my issue.

I put less than 2,000 miles per year on the Jeep and this year I've not been driving much lately so wondering if the battery has simply discharged too much for a reliable fast turn over.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have.

thanks

Dan

I would so you’re right most likely.

 

[Dan T.]

I would so you’re right most likely.

May need to test that 3-year warranty since I have 5 months left.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

12.8v is what should be seen on a fully charged AGM battery, 12.6v on a fully charged conventional automotive battery.

 

[Dan T.]

12.8v is what should be seen on a fully charged AGM battery, 12.6v on a fully charged conventional automotive battery.

Thank you Jerry. I was hoping you'd weigh in. I know you're a fan of the AGMs and I bought this one based on that.

Do you think my current voltage readings justify asking for a warranty exchange or should I ride it out a little longer?

thanks again.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Do you think my current voltage readings justify asking for a warranty exchange or should I ride it out a little longer?

Put it on a legitimate AGM capable bench top battery charger overnight and see what happens. Not a trickle charger, one capable of putting out no less than 6-8 amps.

Modern alternators have trouble recharging discharged batteries since they are actually powered by the battery now. Connect 'em to a dead battery and they're dead.

 

[Dan T.]

Thanks sir.. perhaps one more question when you have time.

Do you have a recommendation on a charger? I found this one in a quick search.. Probably a good idea to invest in one given the sometimes long periods I don't drive the Jeep in between kids baseball seasons.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

That looks fine spec-wise, does it say somewhere its handles AGM type batteries?

 

[Dan T.]

That looks fine spec-wise, does it say somewhere its handles AGM type batteries

Actually it didn't. I think you've given me a great head start (as always). I'll make sure to look for one that specifically says AGM.

Thanks