Optima Yellowtop battery charging issue...

[AllPro]

I have a '99 Tahoe that has 4 Optima Yellowtops in it (1 in the front, 3 in the back). Had the truck for 2yrs and never has an issue until recently. The 3 batteries in the back went dead. Took them to Autozone, tested them, and they were bunk. Ended up buying 3 more off of CL, that were brand new in the original wrapping, with 2008 date codes.

I noticed that within the past week my voltage went from a steady 15 volts, to slowly dropping to 0. Everything in the truck works, minus the stereo now. The only charging issue I have had was with the isolators. They were replaced 1yr ago. Any ideas as to what I should look for or the possible cause for this??

Thanks in advance to all that reply.

BTW, here is a brief rundown of what the system is:

6 15 RF Power HX2

3 RF Power 1500.1

2 RF 400.4

Focal mids/highs

Pioneer headunit

Epicenter

Click to read more...

 

[AllPro]

26 views so far and no one has any input or suggestions as to what is causing or has caused the batteries to drain and not recharge properly?

 

[phemps 10+ year member]

did you have autozone check your alts charging ability?

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

What type of isolator? Selonoid isolators can sometimes shorten the life of a battery. Also, I doubt you're using one with 4 batteries, but a capacitor will eventually drain batteries.

 

[phemps 10+ year member]

and theres nothing like auxilary hooked up after the isolator to the 3 battery bank thats been staying on constant correct?

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

did you have autozone check your alts charging ability?

If the alt had an issue, the front battery would more than likely be bad as well. He said just the rear 3 batts went bad.

 

[phemps 10+ year member]

If the alt had an issue, the front battery would more than likely be bad as well. He said just the rear 3 batts went bad.

ha yepp i did realize that shortly after

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

This may be one of those times where you total your vehicle and start over. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[77oldsMAbrotha 10+ year member]

i've had the same prob with my YT as a primary, and new alt also.

if my car sat for more than a day or two i'd have a dead batt. This was with NO system installed. shit got old, so i ditched the YT and haven't had problem since. Never Figured It Out. GOOD LUCK

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

i've had the same prob with my YT as a primary, and new alt also. if my car sat for more than a day or two i'd have a dead batt. This was with NO system installed. shit got old, so i ditched the YT and haven't had problem since. Never Figured It Out. GOOD LUCK

I've been using Optima yellow tops and red tops as well as some generic yellow tops (Duralast) for a while with no charging issues or longevity issues at all.

 

[AllPro]

so far the alternator is good, no issues there. I do have a Stinger 50 farad cap, so maybe that could be the cuprit. Also will check the isolators again as well.

Also if the auxilary button is/was contantly on, would that stop the battery from charging while the car is on?

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

so far the alternator is good, no issues there. I do have a Stinger 50 farad cap, so maybe that could be the cuprit. Also will check the isolators again as well.
Also if the auxilary button is/was contantly on, would that stop the battery from charging while the car is on?

With 3 extra batts, I would get rid of the cap. Sell it here, someone will want it. What is the aux button for?

 

[McIntosh 10+ year member]

I do have a Stinger 50 farad cap

50 farad???? I think not. Maybe .5?

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

50 farad???? I think not. Maybe .5?

I've seen hybrid caps go even higher than 50 farad. I don't doubt it at all.

 

[ejschultz 10+ year member]

Is this the one you're using?

http://stingerelectronics.com/productDetails.aspx?delineate=832&CategoryID=36&ParentID=18

And that's also for you McIntosh. You seem to not believe anything, ever.