Battery died... do I need to get a new one

[Bodine]

I'm embarrased to even be asking this question, but I left a device plugged into my cigarette lighter last night and my battery is thoroughly dead this morning. The battery is only about 6 months old I know I can jump it and let the alternator recharge it a bit, but will it fully recharge "good as new" or do I need to plan on getting a new battery in the short run?

TIA.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Blah, double post.

 

[PowerMacG5]

It won't be good as new. Lead acid batteries are not meant to be drained completely.

 

[arcenite]

Recharge it. It'll be fine.

Edit: Don't let the alternator charge the battery from dead to full. Leave a battery pack or something of the like on it for atleast an hour, otherwise the alternator may overheat

 

[her209]

Way to gooo!!! :thumbsdown:

 

[imported_LoKe]

Stick a charger on it and it should be alright.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: arcenite
Recharge it. It'll be fine.

Edit: Don't let the alternator charge the battery from dead to full. Leave a battery pack or something of the like on it for atleast an hour, otherwise the alternator may overheat

i always have, and my alternators have never overheated

 

[OrganizedChaos]

what could you have left plugged in that kissed it in less than 12 hours? i think you need a bigger or atleast a new battery.

 

[Bodine]

Thanks guys.

Chaos - I accidently left the keys in it... in the position that keeps charge to the vehicle. My tape adapter that serves as input for my XM radio was still in, so the tape drive motor was on all night. It seemed simpler to say I left something in the cig lighter than explain all that

 

[compnovice]

I have completely drained my lead acid battery 7 times in the last 1.5 years.... Works every time after recharge... Yay for Interstate batteries...

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5
It won't be good as new. Lead acid batteries are not meant to be drained completely.

This is true, but don't let it give you the wrong impression.. Unless the battery is already like 8 years old, it will be as good as new as far as cranking the engine is concerned. It will charge full again, you just reduced the total number of charge cycles you will get out of the battery. If it's only 6 months old, it is fine.

And your alternator will not overheat, that's a bunch of crap.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5
It won't be good as new. Lead acid batteries are not meant to be drained completely.

This is true, but don't let it give you the wrong impression.. Unless the battery is already like 8 years old, it will be as good as new as far as cranking the engine is concerned. It will charge full again, you just reduced the total number of charge cycles you will get out of the battery. If it's only 6 months old, it is fine.

And your alternator will not overheat, that's a bunch of crap.

/nods.

Don't replace a car battery until it's actually BAD. "If it ain't broke..."

 

[Midlander]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: PowerMacG5
It won't be good as new. Lead acid batteries are not meant to be drained completely.

This is true, but don't let it give you the wrong impression.. Unless the battery is already like 8 years old, it will be as good as new as far as cranking the engine is concerned. It will charge full again, you just reduced the total number of charge cycles you will get out of the battery. If it's only 6 months old, it is fine.

And your alternator will not overheat, that's a bunch of crap.

/nods.

Don't replace a car battery until it's actually BAD. "If it ain't broke..."

Yup.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: LoKe
Stick a charger on it and it should be alright.

QFT

my parent's car door wasn't fully shut so it drained the battery (older car, don't have it now) all that was needed was a recharge and was good to go.