My 2010 Ram 1500 Laramie has a dead .... DEAD ... battery. I posted that this truck was driven in the days before I tried to start it ... only a few miles. It would not start 30 hours later. No clicking, no nothing. Black dash, could not enter the truck with fob. Dead.

Anyway, I attached a battery charger to the battery. How long should I let it charge? After couple hours, the lights and horn worked. I did not try to start the vehicle.

I have the charger on now for about 5 hours.

Thanx for your help.

 

Well it depends on how your charger output rating (amps)....If it's a newer style charger it should have an automatic shutoff when the battery is fully charged....

Did you have any accessories on to kill the battery...lights, etc? If not the battery itself may be defective. Happens from time to time w/ a bad cell in the battery...

 

Thanx for the quick response.

The battery charger is maybe 15 years old, so I don't think it has 'auto shut off'. In fact, I need to go out and shut it off before I go to bed.

No, I have nothing running that was not running for the last 12 months. Everything is same/same.

Truck just went dead after couple days ago. Nothing happened to do that. Perhaps it is a bad battery. We shall see in a couple days.

Thanx again.

 

Take it to any local parts store, like O'Riely's or Autozone. They can tell you if the battery is bad (ie can not hold a charge).

If bad do not buy a new one, just get one at the dealer. This will be covered under 3/36. Only issue is you have to take the entire truck, not just the battery.

 

No more then a 2amp charge with auto cutoff. It will charge up to 24 hours. Usually around 8 hours will bring most up to full charge. Over the years I have had to charge 100s. Charge one to hot to fast it will ruin it.

 

Thanx, guys.

I was out all day on a motorcycle. Just got back.

The battery in the Ram only charged 4-5 hours last night. I did nothing today ... then, just now ... I went out and it started right up. Of course the radio was not where it was ... since the battery was once "dead".

The meter in the truck show just right of center on the battery gauge. I know these things are prolly worthless, but I'm surprised it started.

I guess the battery could still be "bad", tho .... right? I guess I should have it tested by the dealer tomorrow. If it starts.

Thanx again.

 

I'm not trying to be facetious, but, you really should do a little more research on that charger, before you use one again.

They are really simple machines, but you gotta know how to use them, just like any other tool or aparatus.

 

Of course, Phil ... you are right. I coud not quickly find the instruction manual, but figured a few hours would be OK.

It's a Shcumacher 10 amp deal with a 2 amp/hour output. It's 10 or so years old, so I don't think it has an auto shutoff.

I'm going to the dealer to have the battery tested Monday.

 

Given it is a name brand, it probably has a few LEDs showing it's charging state. When that LED turns green, it's done ---

Most Schumacher 10/2 units I've seen, have this feature.

p.s. 10 amps is not too much for a battery this size - maybe a motorcycle or lawnmower batt, but not an automotive battery....

 

This charger is "pre-LED". No lights, just a metal box with a meter on the front.

I may have to get a new one to replace this dinosaur. But, hey .... If I've used it twice in a decade.