Dead Battery

[NickOhio]

I was out of town for a few days and came home to a dead battery, 1.4v. After some struggles to get it jumped, I did and everything was fine. Had it on the trickle charger last night and woke up to 10.4v, won't start.

I've done 2 things. Add the kicker key500 and taken the doors off and back on 2 days before I left. I did notice a small static shock as I was jumping it and getting back in to start. Could have been me charged from the jumpers and not a short.

I currently have the amp wire disconnected and trickling to see what direction it goes, so far up. The amp is set with DC offset off and high level inputs. Pretty basic.

Any ideas?

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[JBlanco]

We were gone for close to three weeks and I was concerned about the battery. It started right up. The Bronco battery is designed to work with a start/stop system and should with a good operating electrical system should be able to withstand a few days of not running.

 

[Overcooked]

the Bronco uses an AGM battery and it’s pretty tough. The one in my Audi lasted 11 years and I never had to jump it once.
I’d say look into your mods, check the draw and go from there.

 

[CM81]

do you have any dash cams that could be drawing power?

 

[SpringTXOR]

If it is only charging up to 10.4 you could have a bad cell now. They are not deep cycle batteries and do not like to get down to super low voltage.

 

[NickOhio]

No dash cam, just the amp. This is first amp I've used with hi level inputs and no remote trigger. I really wonder if that's actually turning off with no hi level trigger. Good call on checking the draw, will do that later.

 

[NickOhio]

If it is only charging up to 10.4 you could have a bad cell now. They are not deep cycle batteries and do not like to get down to super low voltage.

After jumping it and running, it was 12.5v+, it went down to 10.4v over night. With a trickle on it.

 

[[DELETED MEMBER 27901]]

After jumping it and running, it was 12.5v+, it went down to 10.4v over night. With a trickle on it.

If I leave mine for a week or more there's a 50-50 chance it'll start.

I feel like the charging system is undersized and won't maintain the battery well if you drive short distances regularly.

 

[Merc4x4]

RockSlide Engineering power step/slider have a constant power draw.

The Ford battery management system is "intelligent" so you have to make sure you hook your charger up with the BMS inline, not directly to the battery posts.
There was a post on here with a youtube video describing the system and proper charging on, I think, an F150. When the battery was charged directly the tech showed the difference between the actual battery voltage and what the Ford thinks the voltage is.

 

[NORCALGXP]

I just came back from a two month trip the Bronco started right up.

 

[NickOhio]

I'm fairly certain the new Kicker Key500 is the culprit. It's been installed a few weeks with no issues. I unhooked it from positive and the voltage is increasing while trickle charged. While connected it's going down. Not an easy way I could find to test draw.

What could possibly be wired wrong that's causing this? A short/cut wire somewhere in the power line hitting the body?

 

[userdude]

Seen some other posts on battery issues on B6G, seems to revolve around too many short trips in a row,

If I leave mine for a week or more there's a 50-50 chance it'll start.

I feel like the charging system is undersized and won't maintain the battery well if you drive short distances regularly.

"No honey, if I don't do a trail at least once a week, the battery dies. I'll be back!"

 

[Laddyaddy19]

Did you get any messages on the Fordpass app? Our F150 had an issue one time with a loose connection under the seat that was causing battery drain. I would bring it to the dealer to be certain.

 

[Bmadda]

I'm fairly certain the new Kicker Key500 is the culprit. It's been installed a few weeks with no issues. I unhooked it from positive and the voltage is increasing while trickle charged. While connected it's going down. Not an easy way I could find to test draw.

What could possibly be wired wrong that's causing this? A short/cut wire somewhere in the power line hitting the body?

I have that same amp, wired the same way and no issues...likely you got a bad one. I have seen amps (not just kicker, but lots of brands) do this before. The dc offset feature has worked well for me, but I didn't trust it at 1st either

 

[[DELETED MEMBER 27901]]

Seen some other posts on battery issues on B6G, seems to revolve around too many short trips in a row,


"No honey, if I don't do a trail at least once a week, the battery dies. I'll be back!"

Ha exactly! Stay away from consistent 10 minute errands and you should be fine.

Need to go surf fishing every Saturday to keep that battery juiced!

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