Posted by Clint Dixon [172.69.59.162] on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 06:44:48 :
In Reply to: Re: Battery cable question for the purists! posted by Jeff Fisher [104.23.243.125] on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 20:06:55 :
My batteries gradually started wearing out quicker over time. A new battery that used to last seven years, now only lasts about three years. Same brand - same source.
I suspected a parasitic draw remained when the trucks were not being driven regularly. Not sure if the quality of battery construction has diminished over the years, if I have a slight or intermittent ground somewhere, or if it was my old battery cables getting bad.
Several years ago I got in the habit of disconnecting the ground each time I parked a truck for more than a day. Then I started getting corrosion on the cable clamp that remained connected as well as around the rim of the battery hold down cover. So I have been disconnecting both cables for the past couple of years. That cured the corrosion problem. About a year ago I bought battery maintainers that I now connect each time I park the trucks at home.
One truck still has its original wiring harness. Although in good shape and never butchered, it is still the old cloth covered wiring. Disconnecting the battery while not in use just feels like the right thing to do because of the old wiring and now the maintainers do not have to compensate for a parasitic draw if one exists.
I have always kept the electrolyte at the proper level, my terminals clean and protected, and I have felt battery terminal protectors in place on each post.
Junior
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