Dang it!

BernieB · 11-05-2009, 03:40 PM

Sheesh... I can't seem to catch a break these past two months. Water heater blew ($600), washing machine died ($2,800), cat needed surgery ($1,200), the garbage disposal grenaded ($150), g/f's truck had brake problems ($100) and now it looks like the batteries on my truck aren't holding a charge.

The truck is 10 years old, no idea how old the batteries are because no one bothered to punch out the date dots, but both are Delco's and looked fairly new when I bought the truck.

However, I've noticed that the electrical system doesn't seem able to handle the load, and it's been getting worse. Used to be that if I lit everything up the voltage would gradually drop, which I think is reasonable considering it's a 100 amp alternator and about 50 amps worth of lights on the truck. But it always charged right back up with no problems when the lights were off.

Then, a few nights ago, I noticed that with just the headlights and the heater on low the voltage was down to about 13.5 by the gauge. Low, but still okay.

Today I went out to start the truck after it'd sat for three days and it barely cranked over, with the voltmeter down around 9 volts. Got it started and the voltage went up to about 14.3 and did a fast run to the store. It was still sitting at about the same when I got to the store, so I left it running while I was inside. Came out, drove home, and it was still sitting at about 14.3 so I let it idle for a half hour then shut it down. Got a phone call about 15 minutes later and had to run out again, and again it barely cranked over with about 10 volts showing on the gauge.

Nothing left on or plugged in, lights all off, and no major drain on the batteries with the key off.

Looks like I'll be shopping for a pair of batteries soon...

scavanger · 11-05-2009, 06:10 PM

I know the feeling ,,, sometimes it seems like the flood gates open up.
I am a little puzzled about the $2800 for a washer. Is it gold plated ?

Scav.

Lonesome7.3 · 11-05-2009, 06:13 PM

Oh thank god. I thought I was the only one. I guess I am sharing my black cloud.

newjack42 · 11-05-2009, 06:16 PM

o heck we all know that feelin i usally have battery prolbems in the coolest day of winter. I did go out and buy a opitma after goin threw 2 batterys in one winter best decion i have ever made. Well worth the money IMO have never had a problem since.

bradrhale · 11-05-2009, 06:41 PM

the silver lining?? could be broke down on the side of the road.

Lonesome7.3 · 11-05-2009, 07:01 PM

Nah, my silver lining was heated up by lighting and rained down on me it its molten form.

BernieB · 11-05-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scavanger

I know the feeling ,,, sometimes it seems like the flood gates open up.
I am a little puzzled about the $2800 for a washer. Is it gold plated ?

Scav.

Nah, got a matched set washer and dryer. $2,800 after taxes and extended warranty.

scavanger · 11-05-2009, 09:37 PM

Must be a top of the line set... front load washer ?

Scav.

hotrodpc · 11-05-2009, 10:16 PM

I just fixed my 14 year old Kitchen-Aid washer. Still looks like brand new. Cost me a whole whopping $3.25 to order the parts off eBay and fixed it myself with factory OEM parts. I will not buy a new set. Sure they are energy efficient, but I hear lots of problems. I do not believe in extended warranties in most items, but I think you did the right thing if you got the modern front load type.

And your batteries. IF they failed, then deduct 365 days x 3 for a total of 3 years and thats how old the batteries are. For some reason, its been my experiences, those AC Delco batteries are good, but when they say its a 3 year battery, almost mark it on the calendar, that is what you get out of them. I think those things must be like some of fraudulent toner cartridges these days with chips in them, that do a page count, and if the toner says it yields 4000 pages, the chip tells the printer its out of toner even though it still probably has 1/3 of its life left in it. Sorry to hear of all it going at once, but thats the way life is. When it rains it pours. Funny how that happens. But hey, you're not alone. So much for asking what you should do with this extra $2K huh???

BernieB · 11-05-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scavanger

Must be a top of the line set... front load washer ?

Scav.

Yeah, Bosch front loaders with steam. I still shake my head over the price though. That's more than I paid for my first three cars... combined.

11-05-2009, 03:40 PM	#1
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,901	Dang it! Sheesh... I can't seem to catch a break these past two months. Water heater blew ($600), washing machine died ($2,800), cat needed surgery ($1,200), the garbage disposal grenaded ($150), g/f's truck had brake problems ($100) and now it looks like the batteries on my truck aren't holding a charge. The truck is 10 years old, no idea how old the batteries are because no one bothered to punch out the date dots, but both are Delco's and looked fairly new when I bought the truck. However, I've noticed that the electrical system doesn't seem able to handle the load, and it's been getting worse. Used to be that if I lit everything up the voltage would gradually drop, which I think is reasonable considering it's a 100 amp alternator and about 50 amps worth of lights on the truck. But it always charged right back up with no problems when the lights were off. Then, a few nights ago, I noticed that with just the headlights and the heater on low the voltage was down to about 13.5 by the gauge. Low, but still okay. Today I went out to start the truck after it'd sat for three days and it barely cranked over, with the voltmeter down around 9 volts. Got it started and the voltage went up to about 14.3 and did a fast run to the store. It was still sitting at about the same when I got to the store, so I left it running while I was inside. Came out, drove home, and it was still sitting at about 14.3 so I let it idle for a half hour then shut it down. Got a phone call about 15 minutes later and had to run out again, and again it barely cranked over with about 10 volts showing on the gauge. Nothing left on or plugged in, lights all off, and no major drain on the batteries with the key off. Looks like I'll be shopping for a pair of batteries soon... __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

11-05-2009, 06:13 PM	#3
Lonesome7.3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Columbus GA Posts: 1,889	Oh thank god. I thought I was the only one. I guess I am sharing my black cloud. __________________ I got the **** lights off of an abandoned truck in Iraq.

11-05-2009, 06:16 PM	#4
newjack42 Full Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 46	o heck we all know that feelin i usally have battery prolbems in the coolest day of winter. I did go out and buy a opitma after goin threw 2 batterys in one winter best decion i have ever made. Well worth the money IMO have never had a problem since. __________________ Follow No One

11-05-2009, 07:01 PM	#6
Lonesome7.3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Columbus GA Posts: 1,889	Nah, my silver lining was heated up by lighting and rained down on me it its molten form. __________________ I got the **** lights off of an abandoned truck in Iraq.

11-05-2009, 10:16 PM	#9
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,145	I just fixed my 14 year old Kitchen-Aid washer. Still looks like brand new. Cost me a whole whopping $3.25 to order the parts off eBay and fixed it myself with factory OEM parts. I will not buy a new set. Sure they are energy efficient, but I hear lots of problems. I do not believe in extended warranties in most items, but I think you did the right thing if you got the modern front load type. And your batteries. IF they failed, then deduct 365 days x 3 for a total of 3 years and thats how old the batteries are. For some reason, its been my experiences, those AC Delco batteries are good, but when they say its a 3 year battery, almost mark it on the calendar, that is what you get out of them. I think those things must be like some of fraudulent toner cartridges these days with chips in them, that do a page count, and if the toner says it yields 4000 pages, the chip tells the printer its out of toner even though it still probably has 1/3 of its life left in it. Sorry to hear of all it going at once, but thats the way life is. When it rains it pours. Funny how that happens. But hey, you're not alone. So much for asking what you should do with this extra $2K huh??? __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

11-05-2009, 06:10 PM	#2
scavanger Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 262	I know the feeling ,,, sometimes it seems like the flood gates open up. I am a little puzzled about the $2800 for a washer. Is it gold plated ? Scav.

11-05-2009, 06:41 PM	#5
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,014	the silver lining?? could be broke down on the side of the road.

11-05-2009, 09:37 PM	#8
scavanger Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 262	Must be a top of the line set... front load washer ? Scav.

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