Boiled Batteries

andy · Post by **andy** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:35 pm

Truck was running fine this AM, but when I got to the house the batteries where very hot and there was water/condensation pretty much all over the inside of the battery box. Where should I start looking to find the cause? Thanks again, in advance.

Andy

M Wehrman · Post by **M Wehrman** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:01 am

If both are wet,ck charging voltage running, I don't remember the max charge volts allowed ,but if batteries have been good up til now,I would assume you are going over 30 volts poss v-regulator.
Mark

andy · Post by **andy** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:10 am

Mark, they were brand new batteries. If I understand right it could be the voltage regualtor then correct? That makes sense because once in awhile at night the headlights would get real bright for a few moments and then go back to "normal". When that happened there was nothing else really to go with it like pegged guages (I only have two) or a brightening of the high beam light.

What would cause the voltage regulator to go bad? Just old age or some other component that also needs to have a look at?

Thanks.

Jim LaGuardia · Post by **Jim LaGuardia** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:18 pm

Check the volage at the batteries while running, should not exceed 28.8V.
From your description , it sounds like the regulator is going.

andy · Post by **andy** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:46 pm

Jim, I hope that's what it is because the regulator is much cheaper than an alternator. Ever think of moving your shop to Texas?

andy · Post by **andy** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:04 pm

Jim, 31.4V when I finally got the meter across the right terminals. That took all of about 5 seconds, but by then I already had water bubbling out at the vents on top of the battery. I stopped the motor and then we did it again ( turned on the motor) and it showed 27. something volts. Before all of that I disconnected everything and checked the batteries individually and they both showed 12.84 volts. Thanks

Andy

andy · Post by **andy** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:48 pm

Mr LaGuardia or anybody, where is the voltage regulator physically located in the Pinz? Where is the connector between the voltage regulator and the altenator? What is the covered box with 4 wires going to it on the side of the engine compartment just below the driver's seat? If that is the voltage regulator mine looks nothing like the picture in the service manual.

Andy

Jim LaGuardia · Post by **Jim LaGuardia** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:20 pm

Voltage regulator is on the front passenger side (remove seats and engine cover for access)facing towards the shock mount. It is about 5" square in shape and held onto the body with 2 10mm nuts.

andy · Post by **andy** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:03 pm

Thanks Jim, what's the little box on the side of the engine compartment by the back of the driver's seat? It has 4 (I think) wires coming off of it. Can't tell the color because they have undercoating on them.

Andy