Cold Start Issues 22 Ecodiesel

[nanook12]

My aux battery died in 1 1/2 years. That was the life span of a new factory battery - to would not hold a charge anymore. I deleted it late last summer. My main battery, which I also bought a replacement for, decided to come back to life…I run a battery heat pad (60W) under the main battery, I also run two 100W heat pads on the oil pan and the factory block heater. The little diesel starts right up now with no complaints (In Alaska). I’ll replace the main factory battery next fall with the new one sitting in the shop.

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[DylanM]

Bingo! The key is to charge, maintain, and desulfate the batteries as much as possible. The battery in my 2015 Ram EcoDiesel is still testing good at 11 years! I keep the maintainer/desulfator on the 2020 and 2023 EcoDiesel when I'm not driving it. I've never had a battery issue or any issues that come from a weak battery.

For the record, I routinely get over eight years of life out of the batteries in other vehicles (last battery in my TJ went 13 years), but even with using a maintenance charger on my JT the factory batteries died at just short of 33 months in service.

It's understandable to have to use a charger often to maintain the battery(ies) for a vehicle that isn't driven much, but for one that is used fairly often it's unacceptable IMO. Not to be rude, but if I wanted to have to plug my vehicle in every time I'm done driving it for the day, I'd have bought an EV.

 

[biodiesel]

So this is a design problem, this didn’t start happening until the advent of “smart” charging systems.

Yes, you're correct.

 

[biodiesel]

My aux battery died in 1 1/2 years. That was the life span of a new factory battery

That's the lifespan if you don't charge/maintain/desulfate your batteries. If the aux battery is maintained properly, then it will last 7+ years. My Jeep was built in December of 2023. I didn't buy it until April of 2024 with 17 original miles. The battery is now more than 2 years old, and I haven't had any problems.

 

[biodiesel]

It's understandable to have to use a charger often to maintain the battery(ies) for a vehicle that isn't driven much, but for one that is used fairly often it's unacceptable IMO.

I understand your frustration. I'm simply trying to help educate others so they can significantly increase reliability and longevity.

I have batteries in my dump trailer, tractor, travel trailer, and all three EcoDiesel vehicles. I keep a maintainer/desulfator on those batteries as much as possible. I learned a long time ago the importance of maintaining batteries.

I install these universal EZ connectors on all of my equipment to make it quick and easy to plug-in.

 

[22ecoJT]

I understand your frustration. I'm simply trying to help educate others so they can significantly increase reliability and longevity.

I have batteries in my dump trailer, tractor, travel trailer, and all three EcoDiesel vehicles. I keep a maintainer/desulfator on those batteries as much as possible. I learned a long time ago the importance of maintaining batteries.

I install these universal EZ connectors on all of my equipment to make it quick and easy to plug-in.

If you were to drive one of your 3rd gen ecodiesels daily. How often would you be plugging in for battery maintenance.

 

[nanook12]

That's the lifespan if you don't charge/maintain/desulfate your batteries. If the aux battery is maintained properly, then it will last 7+ years. My Jeep was built in December of 2023. I didn't buy it until April of 2024 with 17 original miles. The battery is now more than 2 years old, and I haven't had any problems.

I maintain 11 batteries (just my stuff) in Interior Alaska, ATVs, snowmachines, cars, trucks and airplanes!!! The last few years, there has been a big drop off in the quality of lead acid batteries. Also de sulfating the batteries only works until the bottom of the plates short out. My big diesel truck that uses two large batteries, will only last 4yrs, no matter what you do for them. They live a hard life.

 

[biodiesel]

If you were to drive one of your 3rd gen ecodiesels daily. How often would you be plugging in for battery maintenance.

Our 2015 EcoDiesel was taken out of commission back in early November (pics below). It probably won't be out of the body shop until the middle of February. So, the 2023 Gladiator EcoDiesel has been our daily driver for the last 3 months. The Jeep is driven 8 miles one way daily, then 8 miles back home. I plug in the block heater and BatteryMINDer every day when I get home. Is that required? No. That's just habit on my part and both cords are waiting for me when I get home.

To answer your question, I would suggest charging the battery for at least 12 hours once per week. To prevent capacity loss, it's recommended to run a maintenance desulfation for 24 hours weekly on an AGM battery that's in good condition.

 

[biodiesel]

Before I forget, regardless of charger/maintainer/desulfator used, make sure you go through the IBS. If you bypass the IBS, then there will be a false reading. In other words, the IBS can't track amperage going in and out of the battery.

 

[biodiesel]

I maintain 11 batteries (just my stuff) in Interior Alaska, ATVs, snowmachines, cars, trucks and airplanes!!!

Well, you've got me beat. We'll be adding a Ram 3500 and John Deere Gator sometime in the future, but this it for now.

John Deere D100 (one battery)
John Deere 1025R (one battery)
2015 Ram EcoDiesel (one battery)
2020 Ram EcoDiesel (one battery)
2023 Jeep EcoDiesel (one battery)
Travel Trailer (two batteries)
Dump Trailer (one battery)

The last few years, there has been a big drop off in the quality of lead acid batteries.

That's not good to hear. When it comes to AGM batteries, I tend to stick with Odyssey.

Also de sulfating the batteries only works until the bottom of the plates short out.

From my understanding, it's best to desulfate weekly, but you should always read the instruction manual for your device. Desulfate maintainers have varying levels of pulse intensity. Some desulfate maintainers don't have the high-pulse repair mode which is needed to sulfate batteries back to life. I've got a friend that has kept batteries alive for 20 years.

 

[BuckeyeButch]

Or you guys can just keep your batteries maintained. The auxiliary and main battery should last 7+ years if you take care of it.

Try doing that in Phoenix and get back to me. LOL

 

[biodiesel]

Try doing that in Phoenix and get back to me. LOL

My buddy who lives in Phoenix, I believe, got 6 years out of his factory EcoDiesel AGM battery. I'll have to ask him. He maintains his batteries, but I agree that the heat takes a toll on batteries.

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