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'53 B-4TA-190 Fire Engine


E37Bruco

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19 hours ago, Jerry Roberts said:

You can get 6 volts with 4 penlight batteries , but that won't start your engine . harbor Freight sells a load tester . 

 

Very true. The battery may show 6 volts with no load but may not have the amperage to drive the starter. The battery load tester isn’t a bad tool to have, but isn’t necessary. All it shows is how much the voltage will drop under load. You can use a volt meter to measure the voltage, then engage the starter motor and read the voltage again. As DodgeB4ya says, voltage should stay. Above 5v while cranking. If not you have a battery issue, or a major starter issue. 

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On 6/4/2024 at 2:32 PM, Dodgeb4ya said:

That's excellent update news.

You will like shifting that 2 speed axle now that it's working like it should.

Wish I was closer...I'd love to see and drive that fire truck!

I had Big Red out a couple weeks ago..

 

20231006_125849_2MCT31RG6c.jpeg

 

big red looks great, bob!  it is my favorite B-series truck, so many options and in such marvelous condition.  i would not drive that in our new england winters, but i drive mine all year because it isn't so nice.

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Posted (edited)

Seems to be a trickle charger issue. Today it was 6.5v and started no issues. I load tested the battery first and if never dropped below 6v. I'll just have to find a better charger thankfully 😅 

 

Oh is there any issue with the alternator putting out 7.2v? I figured that's fine since most 12v systems do up to 14.

Edited by E37Bruco
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I have seen many of the modern red ,amber, green, light high tech chargers fail to charge wet cell batterys properly.

Good old transformer chargers always charge typical wet cell batterys fully...

I have a large roll around but my favorite chargers are the old common 10 amp chargers.

For say a group 2 6 volt battery that's down to 5.8-6.0 volts...I will charge it over night. Never let them get more than slightly warm.

I have seen so many cudtomers use the modern chargers and call me saying the battery has been fully charged...they need a stsrter or switch etc....nope they need the battery to be charged with a good battery charger....6.6 volts will show a good full charge just sitting battery.

A 6 volt battery now days generally is done after four years.

Old Batterys can fail instantly during attempted starting....a cell connector in the battery will open, sometimes causing the battery to explode...usually an old sulfated battery.

Battery tenders....naw not for me.

Have never needed them. I just occaisionally do volt readings on my old car battery's. Tells me all I need to know.

Edited by Dodgeb4ya
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