Bad Battery?

[chykov's76doba]

I purchased a new battery for my 76 doba in March. No issues until a couple weeks or so ago when I tried to start it there wasn't enough juice to turn it over. I put it on the charger it charged up no problem. A week ago same thing. A buddy of mine dropped by yesterday and I was showing him the car, it started right up. Now, this evening, I got in to start it up (which I try to do every other day) and the interior lights were dim. Took the battery off and put it on the charger and it was dead.

Do you think this is a bad battery or something else? I checked everything and I left nothing on, lights, radio etc... If its a bad battery, Its still under warranty so I am thinking of taking it back for a new one.


Thoughts?

 

[bm02tj]

Take it out of the car and charge it up
and keep a voltage log for a few days if voltage is dropping you have a bad cell
if you have a good ammeter in your multi meter you can check draw when parked

 

[Dennis H]

Don't start it unless you can drive it for 30 minutes. May not be possible in winter.

 

[67 coronet]

more then likely not a battery issue.either you are draining it by starting it and not driving to charge it or you have a small draw in your electrical system.even bad batterys dont discharge themselves.a bad cell would just suddenly be dead and wont start the car even with a charge.
next time you pull it to charge hook up the pos cable and see if you get even tiny crackle sound when attaching the neg cable end.if you hear anything it would indicate a draw.
you can also do the same thing by charging the battery and checking voltage before you hook it up and after.should be the same if you dont turn anything on.if lower while hooked up you have a slight draw.

 

[bm02tj]

If you have a bad insulator between plates you will get a slow bleed that will drain the battery

or if you had old battery you get a build up of crap in the bottom and discharge battery that is why they advise distilled water

 

[chykov's76doba]

Don't start it unless you can drive it for 30 minutes. May not be possible in winter.

What is the difference between starting it and running it for 20 -30 mins and actually driving it? is there?

- - - Updated - - -

more then likely not a battery issue.either you are draining it by starting it and not driving to charge it or you have a small draw in your electrical system.even bad batterys dont discharge themselves.a bad cell would just suddenly be dead and wont start the car even with a charge.
next time you pull it to charge hook up the pos cable and see if you get even tiny crackle sound when attaching the neg cable end.if you hear anything it would indicate a draw.
you can also do the same thing by charging the battery and checking voltage before you hook it up and after.should be the same if you dont turn anything on.if lower while hooked up you have a slight draw.

I will check it out. Thanks

 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Load test it and be done with it.............

 

[Dennis H]

If the R/T needs to be moved, I will push it if possible. It has rarely been started and run for 20-30 minutes. Driving it gets all fluids moving and more quickly as well. The reason the R/T is so reliable is due to regular use and driven to full warm up at every opportunity. I'll second load test and check all connections. I also use a marine grade battery cut off switch to ensure no unintended draw when parked. Good luck. Let us know.

 

[chykov's76doba]

Load test it and be done with it.............

Did a load test and it looks like the problem is the alternator is not charging enough. Thanks for your help