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dakoter4.7
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2004
13:14:10

Subject: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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I have an 03 CC 4.7liter 4x4, just lately when i have my subs goin really loud on the freeway. My battery gauge goes all the way to H in the red, and the check gauge icon on the dash comes on. Does anyone know what that means. I havent run a load test or a alt. output test yet.



Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2004
13:35:08

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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Sounds like a floating ground. Make sure you have good ground connections at the stereo and elsewhere.



RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2004
14:31:56

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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Better yet, turn the volume DOWN! Besides saving
you own hearing, you won't rattle my windows when
you pass by.

Someday when you keep saying "what?" I'd love to
be around and say; "I told you so"





umm
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2004
15:14:51

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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funny my battery gauge has numbers not letters



Dan
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2004
16:09:40

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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I know your battery is new, but it is possible your battery might be weak or have a dead cell... if it is a regular starting battery that has been deep cycled (drained) too many times, its capacity may have been reduced through sulfate buildup on the plates.

If the radio is on a lot with the engine is off, this is probably what the problem is. A deep cycle battery is made to take the abuse of repeated draining.

Minimum CCA's for a Dodge dakota are either 600 or 650 (can't remember which). Either way, a regular marine battery that will fit in a Dakota is less than 600 CCA's and doesn't have enough cranking power for when it gets down below freezing. An Optima Yellow top deep cycle on the other hand drops right in, can take repeated discharge, and has 750 CCA's.

Optima Yellow top D34 or D34/78 will drop right in without modification. Only thing is you will have to remove the plastic heat shield... no big deal.

I have the D34 blue top deep cycle in my Dakota with a large power inverter that draws about 150 amps. It makes a very noticeable difference in how well the inverter works. If your battery really is toast after checking it out, it would be worth the few extra bux for an yellow top..

Good luck!

1997 Dakota 4x4 CC
318 v8
Cat-back dual flowmaster
K&N filter



Radioman
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2004
16:35:49

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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Hi I am radioman, i took out my radio on my minivan because it was to loud, but i'd rather ride my bicycle with no bicycle seat.



RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2004
06:34:54

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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Like I said in my first post, you be saying
"what?" when you get older. That's only if the
crack you're putting into your system doesn't do
you in first.

Have a good day..




radioman
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2004
13:10:24

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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radioman i think u got the website wrong. i think your looking for dodgecaravans.com



dakoter4.7
Dodge Dakota
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6/18/2004
16:44:12

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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ran the battery and alt test, good output on alt, and battery passed load test.



Kowalski
GenIII
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6/19/2004
08:49:24

Huh ?
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So what does the "H" stand for on your battery gauge ? Nothing like that on our voltmeters.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

battery
Dodge Dakota
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6/19/2004
08:55:32

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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My gauge did this when my battery was going bad. Replaced the battery and the problem went away.



Dan
Dodge Dakota
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6/22/2004
16:28:28

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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If the battery passed load test and alternator checked out okay, that just leaves 2 options.

1) could be a bad ground or other wire connection somewhere like Bob said

2) you might be simply drawing more amps than your stock electrical system/battery can supply. Stock alternators are something like 117amps or 137 amps depending on the truck. If your stereo pulls more than that, an electrical system upgrade may be in order.

High output alternators are really expensive and may not provide sufficient amperage at idle (depends on alternator, rpm's, etc). Optima deep cycle batteries are a cheaper option, and are able to "fill in" the extra power required as long as you allow them to charge up afterwards.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!
Dan



actually
Dodge Dakota
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6/22/2004
16:45:17

RE: Battery gauge goes all the way to H!!!
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the ooptiional alternator is rated at 136 NOT 137 amps.



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