my damn battery keeps dying!

[wannabeH3]

so i got my little back surgery on the 10th, i feel great by the way... I havent turned on my h3 since, so on the 16th i started it and it was weak, we had to move it in the garage, we got 2 starts out of it and i threw my charger on it. i took the charger off in the morning and then we started it at 5 to go drive it, and lo and behold its dead at 10.9 volts. i jump it drive to the autoparts store, shut it down and hook it up and run tests with their eqiupment. everything shows great! i start it up and its dead. i take it home charge it and remove the charger at midnight, and this morning its dead again. whats going on? nothing is on. ive seen some similar complaints. its at the dealer now, and they say everything is fine and thy charged it. they will try starting it after lunch. so we will see.

[phantom2]

This sounds like the same old story with these crappy batteries.Glad to hear the surgery went well

[mountainbiker]

wannbeh3 so good to hear about the success with the ol' back.

I am curious to hear what the dealer says about your battery as I am having a similar issue. I got rid of the original AC Delco and am on a Optima Red Top now but without luck. I have a CTEK maintainer that I just plug-in my 2006 H3 every night. That keeps me going, but there will not be extended stays in the airport parking lot. (I also carry a "jump pack" in the back just in case I stay away from the CTEK too long.)

I anxiously await to see how you make out with the dealer.

[wannabeH3]

pretty disapointed with what they said. but so far its working we will see what happens tomorrow morning. here is what they said:

[mountainbiker]

wannabeH3 - thanks for the scan. It really made it easy to see what they did do and SADLY couldn't do. How has it worked out these past few days since your visit?

[wannabeH3]

so like i said i have recently had back surgery and so i dont drive it that often however today was my first day back at work, and after sitting for 2 days the battery was again weak and the h3 barely started. the drive to work is about 40 min (for just 12 miles:( ) so im hoping that was enough time to charge it up. i have a battery jumper in the back just in case tho. ill let you know by the end of the day.

[mountainbiker]

This is the US version of the battery maintainer I bought: http://www.ctek.com/US/MUS3300/features_benefits.asp. I believe they make the one that Porsche sells and re-badges. Check out the videos and the higher end models.

I bought the CTEK cigarette adapter for the unit, and the 7-pin to 12V adapter (for the trailer hitch). I back it in towards the garage door (as it won't fit in there), and plug it in after every drive (like a big expensive iPod). I also have the eyelet connector attached to the battery in the event I pull in nose first.

[marin8703]

This is the US version of the battery maintainer I bought: http://www.ctek.com/US/MUS3300/features_benefits.asp. I believe they make the one that Porsche sells and re-badges. Check out the videos and the higher end models.

I bought the CTEK cigarette adapter for the unit, and the 7-pin to 12V adapter (for the trailer hitch). I back it in towards the garage door (as it won't fit in there), and plug it in after every drive (like a big expensive iPod). I also have the eyelet connector attached to the battery in the event I pull in nose first.

hahaha, i guess good product, but what is up with those stupid videos:giggling:

watch the third video, theres a huge bike in it looks pretty cool.

[mountainbiker]

Maybe we should do a little non-scientific poll for wannabeH3.

1. What type of battery are you running (e.g., OEM, YT, RT or other) and model if you know it?
2. Any after market electronics that could possibly add to the key-off drain?
3. What is the longest you have had the H3 sit without a dead battery?

I'll go first :)

1. RT Series 25
2. None (but do have OEM grille lights and SMA roof lights)
3. About 1-2 week before battery is dead (Ford Explorer can sit a month+)

[marin8703]

Maybe we should do a little non-scientific poll for wannabeH3.

1. What type of battery are you running (e.g., OEM, YT, RT or other) and model if you know it?
2. Any after market electronics that could possibly add to the key-off drain?
3. What is the longest you have had the H3 sit without a dead battery?

I'll go first :)

1. RT Series 25
2. None (but do have OEM grille lights and SMA roof lights)
3. About 1-2 week before battery is dead (Ford Explorer can sit a month+)

alrity

1. OEM
2. Tons of aftermarket electronics (parasitic drain is around 70 mA at initial key off)
3. 2 weeks +

dont know how this helps

[Huck BB62]

I've been leaving my H3 at the plant while I'm on vacation, it NEVER makes it two weeks without killing the battery. So, I pull the terminals now.

[Planohummer]

wannabe--I'm assuming you have upgraded your alternator(?)

[K9sH3]

Sorry to hear about your battery..

I am more concerned about your back surgery, I hope you continue to improve and get back to all the things you were doing before the surgery.
Get well soon,
K9

[Planohummer]

a 30amp charge rate for about 4 hours would cure the whole 'battery is fine' discussion. hypothetically, of course.

[wannabeH3]

thanks for the well wishes about my back. if you saw me you would think i never had the surgery. im doing that well.
anyways....
why would i upgrade the alternator? it says in my post above its like a 218 amp alternator... i went to the dealer today after my post op appointment and walked up to the service lady who knows me and asked her to check the battery for me and she had someone do it, they said it was fine, and i said is there anything i can do? and she said ok we will test it till it fails and swap it out. in the end i left with a new battery. i threw it on the charger when i got home and charged it up and we will see how it goes. im sure i wont notice problems now that i am able to drive again... anyways just go back to the dealer and get them to replace it for you!

[fourfourto]

I've been leaving my H3 at the plant while I'm on vacation, it NEVER makes it two weeks without killing the battery. So, I pull the terminals now.


I have one of these disconects hooked up to the ground on the 442.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2006122/c-10101/Nty-1/p-2006122/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=battery+disconect

It sits for months,turn the knob and it starts right up.

It doesnt hurt that I have a 1000 amp interstate batteryhttp://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

I see a optimum battery in the future for the H3,even though I have no problems since original was replaced in march 06 under warranty.

[mountainbiker]

I have one of these disconnects hooked up to the ground on the 442.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2006122/c-10101/Nty-1/p-2006122/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=battery+disconect

442, did u get the fused or non-fused one? Why?

K9sH3, send us some of that sun on a Ron Jon's postcard -LOL.

Has anyone tried one of those solar charges? It just seems to much like a gimmick unless maybe you buy a (1) large panel, (2) live in a super sunny area, and (3) get a quality one.

If it could get you maybe 50mA+ (not say the advertised 135mA+), you would think it would be enough to keep your battery topped up against parasitic and normal drains.

On eBay, it seems like there are loads of these VW ones made by ICP. LOL- maybe someone can turn the H3 hood-thingy into a solar panel. Hybrid Hummer here I come.

[fourfourto]

I have the one without the fuse.
With 15-amp fused bypass?maintains computer settings, clock, radio, etc. while battery is disconnected

With the fused one you probobly would still have a drain.

Solar chargers are good if you have Direct sunlight.

[Steve - SanJose]

Crappy OEM batteries becoming common? My wife's Jag battery only last 2 years, 3 months with daily usage.

[trailerpup]

I have the one without the fuse.
With 15-amp fused bypass?maintains computer settings, clock, radio, etc. while battery is disconnected

With this, when you pull the negative cable, it won't reset the computer? :o

[mountainbiker]

I have the one without the fuse.
With 15-amp fused bypass?maintains computer settings, clock, radio, etc. while battery is disconnected

With this, when you pull the negative cable, it won't reset the computer? :o
So, with the fused model, you still are allowing some drain occurring plus you have the normal battery discharge from sitting. The bypass model seems somewhat defeating the purpose, unless you get the bypass model more as a security device (to prevent starting) vs. eliminating key-off drains.

[Huck BB62]

Well, my H3's goin' to the dealer tomorrow for the dreaded dead battery issue. It's kind of convenient actually, I'll have 'em drop me off at the airport!

[djallar]

Add another to the dead battery list.

I noticed a slow start yesterday afternoon (in Philly) and I couldn't get my XM to work or OnStar. I saw no warning messages or lights. As soon as I got home and parked. The radio & OnStar started working again.

This morning (at home) ...NOTHING...except click, click, click.

No OnStar connection. The clock reset to midnight.

Called OnStar from the house phone and they're coming to pick it up in about 20 minutes.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Add another to the dead battery list.

I noticed a slow start yesterday afternoon (in Philly) and I couldn't get my XM to work or OnStar. I saw no warning messages or lights. As soon as I got home and parked. The radio & OnStar started working again.

This morning (at home) ...NOTHING...except click, click, click.

No OnStar connection. The clock reset to midnight.

Called OnStar from the house phone and they're coming to pick it up in about 20 minutes.

Check this thread...upgrading battery (http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23606)

[HummerJim]

I replaced the batteries in both of my Hummers with Optimas and have never had a problem. For 140 dollars it gives you great peace of mind and the casing and plates take offroad jolts a lot better than anything out there.

[fourfourto]

HJ
what # battery did you use and did you remove the top cover .
I would like to get a Optima but I mounted a underhood light to the cover and would like to keep it there ?