Voltage
I've had several duramax trucks. I currently own a 2014 LML and before that it was a 2001. I went through batteries like underwear on the 2001. New batteries every 3 or 4 years. Used to think it was the nature of the beast. After paying more attention to the voltmeter I saw voltages above where I think they should be. The gauge was hard to interpret but my multi-meter showed 14.5. I used to believe the charging voltage needed to be between 13.8 and 14.2. Put a new alternator on the 2001 and it was the same 14.5. I think that is too high. I'll bet it's boiling the batteries.
Sold that truck and bought a 2014. I'm at the 4 year old mark now and it wouldn't start for me today. Tried to jump it with a portable jumper, no luck. Tried a 50 amp buzz box to charge it for a while. No luck. Took the battery cables off and cleaned all 4 of them. Voltmeter says batteries were at 12.1 volts. It's been sitting a while. Didn't think that was out of the ordinary. After twisting the key multiple times it finally cranked and started. Drove it around for a couple of hours and checked the voltage at the battery while running. Alternator was putting out 14.8 volts.
It's way too much of a coincidence to own two trucks that do the same thing. Why in the heck do these truck push so much voltage? That can't be normal. I have the same delayed ramp up in voltage as described on these pages on both trucks. After starting the engine it is 30 seconds or more before it rises above static battery voltage. On another forum one guy said the passenger side battery is subject to run off water and it ruins the battery over time. That sounds plausible. I don't have any corrosion on my terminals at least none visible. Wondering if the slight DEF spillage has corroded something somewhere? I wash it off with a hose immediately but who knows where that corrosive stuff landed.
I'm not going to just run out and buy batteries every 3 or 4 years only to find out I have a underlying problem. Any ideas?
2014 K2500HD Crew Cab LTZ Duramax / Allison 4x4