Pardon my ignorance but here goes. Have a 1987 LD that I purchased in May. Used the heck out of it over the summer. Parked it in September and now trying to turn it on and it’s dead. I measured the battery and it’s 11.4v so it’s dead. Disconnected it and getting a new one today.
Is there a kill switch for the automotive battery and if so, where? If not what do you all do if you’re going to park it for a few weeks/months? Also can I just install the new one or do I need to do or disconnect anything from else before installing the new battery?
Thanks.
There isn't a Factory battery switch for the starting battery, It only takes a minute to disconnect a battery terminal or you could install a marine battery switch.
Lead-acid batteries self-discharge, leaving one unused for four months enough to discharge a battery.
A good solution is to use a battery trickle charger.
Amazon.com: NOCO GENIUS2: 2A 6V/12V Smart Battery Charger – Automatic... (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W6B987F?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1)
Larry
Larry, so then if I disconnect the battery terminals when I park it for a while I’d have to also put the trickle charger to keep the battery topped off. Or if I install a marine kill switch that’s all I need to do. Am I correct?
If parked for longer periods, it is preferable to keep the battery topped off using a trickle charger. As mentioned before, lead-acid batteries self discharge when not in use.
It should not be necessary to remove a battery terminal unless there is some constant drain on the battery, such as the engine's computer. I have no idea what possible drain, if any, your 1987 LD may have. Newer vehicles are known to have this problem.
You did not provide any location in your profile, if you live in a cold climate, it is best to remove the starting battery for indoor storage to prevent freezing during long periods of non use.
Larry
Hi Joel S.; I have a lot of solar on my motorhome, and it keeps both the house and chassis batteries charged. For a quick way to keep your chassis battery charged, I use this on one of my other cars: Amazon.com: SUNER POWER 20W 12V Solar Battery Trickle Charger & Maintainer... (https://www.amazon.com/SUNER-POWER-Waterproof-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B07Y5TKMZ4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=22ZO4F99CLOXY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.U7NQDN8cotL1TJr7FmlDKvwr3KLxRvkqP1WEGJb-Y-zEttOxhRq_BsdubupzUQku2QhNqvTj2qhCwgOOUTQGzAz6Ic5ttlNsQ3bhsayimtIorLFBN23XRXeks_OxGSHcYNNXRh5NMEUTg88zpK-FlBsekOIVRa3OlwMkTv6X1pILZkeVcRAqRUEtR-e99zhyhOUdailfa-IeUvr6blSASXSnvThjqn2oldmtf0ylHn0.7r6avyLA1YwSIECgZuK0G5toHd3Y_c53gWcXDJXe0bc&dib_tag=se&keywords=solar%2Bcar%2Bbattery%2Bcharger%2Band%2Bmaintainer&qid=1766428997&sprefix=solar%2Bcar%2Bbattery%2B%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1)
They can be clipped on, and you don't need to disconnect the battery. (They can 'walk away' of course.) I have mine plugged into leads under the hood that keeps it more secured. That one has a MPPT controller built in. (and no you can't measure the output unless it is connected up to a battery. One reviewer gave it a poor review because he just used a voltmeter to try to measure it.)
An 11.4 volt battery isn't ruined, just charge it back up. Don't do that routinely and expect a normal lifetime for the battery.
RonB