Battery problems?

[TomB985]

Or is it just me?

I have a 2006 Freightliner Columbia, with only 103k miles on it. Seems like I can't even go two hours after I shut it off without the low battery warning beeping at me.

Normally, the only electronics running would be my cab air heater, my cooler, the radio, and maybe the dome light.

Is this normal, or should I get it looked at?

[MommaKay]

It is entirely possible that your batteries were goners before you ever got your truck. Batteries cannot survive being allowed to go flat -- it drastically reduces their service life. Left flat long enough, even brand new batteries can be made unusable. Yet it's not at all uncommon for tractors to sit parked for months at a time awaiting assignment to a driver. If they're not hooked-up to smart 3-stage chargers, being monitored at regular intervals, the batteries are dying.

I would recommend having them checked for dead cells, low electrolyte levels, specific gravity, etc. It's very likely they'll need replacing.

[TomB985]

Thanks for the reply!

Wasn't sure how long these things normally last, as I am new to the industry.

I asked because I have to go through Marshfield to get my right windshield replaced, and I didn't know whether or not it was worth asking about. Definitely will have them check it out!

[PA]

Is the charge low or do you just get the alarm.
Had that issue with my truck, just have 'em check it out when you get the shield replaced.

[farder]

Could just be a faulty alarm.

[LadyNorthStar]

I second faulty alarm. Mine kept going even after I had all new batteries put in. It seemed to happen to a few of our Columbias.
They by passed the battery protection on some of them and it seemed to do the trick.