How to Fix Stuff

[Bronze]

I got my last one for the truck at Tractor supply 2 years ago, seems like a good one and it was cheaper than wally world for this one.

The price of batteries is out of control. And I don't think they're as good as they once were. Why do I think gov't regulations are the cause?

I'm also not sure brand has as much to do with quality as it once did. There are a few battery manufacturers and they sell under multiple brand names. Kind of like appliances these days. They all buy the major components from just a couple manufacturers. I once bought nothing but DieHards. Then I switched to the Advanced Auto brand because they were close and Sears is, well Sears. Didn't really notice a difference. I've heard many mechanics tell me WalMart brand works perfectly fine. A WalMart battery is $93. A DieHard at Advanced Auto is $160. Both are their 3 year gold versions.

 

[AttyPops]

The price of batteries is out of control. And I don't think they're as good as they once were. Why do I think gov't regulations are the cause?

I'm also not sure brand has as much to do with quality as it once did. There are a few battery manufacturers and they sell under multiple brand names. Kind of like appliances these days. They all buy the major components from just a couple manufacturers. I once bought nothing but DieHards. Then I switched to the Advanced Auto brand because they were close and Sears is, well Sears. Didn't really notice a difference. I've heard many mechanics tell me WalMart brand works perfectly fine. A WalMart battery is $93. A DieHard at Advanced Auto is $160. Both are their 3 year gold versions.

It's ridiculous.
And it's probably several factors, including higher transportation costs (gas, etc. those things are heavy) and recycling (and mandated fees for such) and good ole' "planned obsolescence"...they've got the engineering down to a science. IDK how many actual manufacturers there are for the components, but probably not many since there's a lot of lead involved.

Batteries used to last longer. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I don't think so.

 

[Bronze]

It's ridiculous.
And it's probably several factors, including higher transportation costs (gas, etc. those things are heavy) and recycling (and mandated fees for such) and good ole' "planned obsolescence"...they've got the engineering down to a science. IDK how many actual manufacturers there are for the components, but probably not many since there's a lot of lead involved.

Batteries used to last longer. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I don't think so.

I would buy those 5 year batteries and got as many as 6 years out of them. Now you get the best battery and you're lucky to get 4 years out of them. I heard a stat the other day, can't remember from who. Something like 40% of these 3 year batteries don't make it to 3 years. Something changed. The advancement in auto electronics put more demand on batteries. That probably factors into it. Neighbor has a 2 year old Charger. Battery died the other day.

 

[hittman]

By the way, one of the reasons I bought this particular multimeter is because it has a min/max feature on it. In other words, it records the minimum and maximum readings in an event sequence. This is a great feature for measuring your car battery. Yes, you do a straight up voltage measurement of your battery with the car off. Should be around 12.6v give or take a couple 10ths. But this test alone is not enough. You have to test it when the battery is loaded. You do this when you start your car. Hook the multimeter up to your battery. Press the min/max function. Start the car. Turn it off. Press the min max button to see what the max/min readings were for this sequence. If your min falls below 10v, your battery is shot and needs replacing. Some say 10.5v, others say 9.6v. They're all over the map. But 10.0 is a good rule of thumb. I'd even consider replacing below 10.5. You can buy a lot of batteries for the price of a tow. I checked this on my wife's car. Her battery starts her car fine but she cannot play the radio for very long without the car running before it kills the battery. A sign the battery is going. Sure enough, I measured a minimum of 10.17v This is approaching dead. I live in a warmer climate so maybe I get away with more than someone who lived in a colder climate. I will be replacing this battery next weekend.

NOTE: Check your car battery using DC (Direct Current) setting. Not AC (Alternate Current).

What is the battery voltage while the car is running? Should be around 13.5 or higher right?

 

[Bronze]

What is the battery voltage while the car is running? Should be around 13.5 or higher right?

Different specs for different cars and applications and depends on who you ask. Don't you hate that? I've always used 14.2ish volts as my ideal. It's never hurt me that I know of. I know of cars that pump out 13.8v, some 14.7v. Seems the cars I own work best at 14.2v and that is probably pretty common. If it's too low (say 13.2v) it wont sufficiently charge the battery. Go too high (say 14.9v) and you'll roach the battery and/or alternator.

BTW, it should be checked with all the accessories on the vehicle turned off. If you want to check the alternator, turn all your accessories on and see how far the voltage drops (vs with all the accessories turned off). As long as you're above 13v you're probably OK with EVERYTHING turned on (fan, headlights, fog lights, radio, whatever else). Typically your voltage will only drop a few tenths with accessories on if you don't have a lot of accessories. Hard for me to speak for all cars these days with all the crap they have running off that battery.

 

[hittman]

On the small twin cylinder engines on the welders that I see, there’s quite a few where they have an open cell where it’ll read around 12v until you turn the switch to start and they drop to almost nothing. Once running they usually read 13.5-14v with a good battery.

 

[CMD-Ky]

...

Batteries used to last longer. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I don't think so.

I have no idea but the tech in a lead acid battery has not changed much over the last few decades. But, the technology of the auto has changed dramatically, each "improvement" demands more from the alternator and then the battery.

 

[CMD-Ky]

Youtube

Saved the ole guy's bacon one more time. How to seat the bead on a tractor tire. I did not want to take the wheel off, drive 50 miles round trip to a dealer and pay for something that I "thought" I might be able to do. With great trepidation and care, I did it. How to seat the bead on a tractor. I used a ratchet strap of some pulling strength (don't recall how much but it was three inches wide), and tied down the loose end and released it blind with my back to the tire, the idea of a chain or strap snapping back gave me pause to ponder. It did not need a hammer seal the deal.

 

[Bronze]

Youtube

Saved the ole guy's bacon one more time. How to seat the bead on a tractor tire. I did not want to take the wheel off, drive 50 miles round trip to a dealer and pay for something that I "thought" I might be able to do. With great trepidation and care, I did it. How to seat the bead on a tractor. I used a ratchet strap of some pulling strength (don't recall how much but it was three inches wide), and tied down the loose end and released it blind with my back to the tire, the idea of a chain or strap snapping back gave me pause to ponder. It did not need a hammer seal the deal.

Interesting

 

[AttyPops]

Better than the ether thing....

 

[r77r7r]

Youtube

Saved the ole guy's bacon one more time. How to seat the bead on a tractor tire. I did not want to take the wheel off, drive 50 miles round trip to a dealer and pay for something that I "thought" I might be able to do. With great trepidation and care, I did it. How to seat the bead on a tractor. I used a ratchet strap of some pulling strength (don't recall how much but it was three inches wide), and tied down the loose end and released it blind with my back to the tire, the idea of a chain or strap snapping back gave me pause to ponder. It did not need a hammer seal the deal.

Happens to me with my handtruck. Tho I just use a rope and a stick to twist it. Fix will be converting to inner tube someday. Helps also to have a lock-on pressure nozzle.

 

[Bronze]

Does anyone sell 12/2 Romex by the foot anymore? I need a 4’ hunk and the smallest HD and Lowes sells is a 15’ package for $30. Ripoff!

 

[hittman]

Does anyone sell 12/2 Romex by the foot anymore? I need a 4’ hunk and the smallest HD and Lowes sells is a 15’ package for $30. Ripoff!

I used to do a lot of side work installing electrical and would keep rolls of both on hand but hadn't bought any in a long time. A while back I looked at Lowes and couldn't believe the price. You might try a regular electrical supply place. I have one near my work that sells wire by the foot.

 

[FranC]

Does anyone sell 12/2 Romex by the foot anymore? I need a 4’ hunk and the smallest HD and Lowes sells is a 15’ package for $30. Ripoff!

Lots of folks have chunks of wire laying around in these parts. Ask the neighbors.

 

[Bronze]

Lots of folks have chunks of wire laying around in these parts. Ask the neighbors.

Already did. One neighbor had a 10 foot hunk of old romex but it was 14/2. I gotta have 12/2. Still askin. I know I’ve seen a hunk around here some damn place. Can’t find it.

 

[FranC]

Already did. One neighbor had a 10 foot hunk of old romex but it was 14/2. I gotta have 12/2. Still askin. I know I’ve seen a hunk around here some damn place. Can’t find it.

Hopefully a chunk shows up somewhere. Some hardware stores here sell it by the foot.

 

[borno]

Youtube

Saved the ole guy's bacon one more time. How to seat the bead on a tractor tire. I did not want to take the wheel off, drive 50 miles round trip to a dealer and pay for something that I "thought" I might be able to do. With great trepidation and care, I did it. How to seat the bead on a tractor. I used a ratchet strap of some pulling strength (don't recall how much but it was three inches wide), and tied down the loose end and released it blind with my back to the tire, the idea of a chain or strap snapping back gave me pause to ponder. It did not need a hammer seal the deal.

Some guys use starting fluid and a match

 

[zoiDman]

Does anyone sell 12/2 Romex by the foot anymore? I need a 4’ hunk and the smallest HD and Lowes sells is a 15’ package for $30. Ripoff!

Rope and Wire are two things I never minded buying More of than I needed for a Current Project.

Because it always seems that down the road I will need a Piece of Rope or a Length of Wire for something. So I feel like it saves me a Trip to the Hardware Store.

But 2 Bucks a Foot does seem kinda High. But I don't buy much wire. And Everything seems like it is High lately.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwi...x-SIMpull-CU-NM-B-W-G-Wire-28828299/204724936

 

[CMD-Ky]

I have heard that, I declined to participate.

Some guys use starting fluid and a match

 

[Bronze]

Hopefully a chunk shows up somewhere. Some hardware stores here sell it by the foot.

Wish I knew of a hardware store around here that had it. I bet someone does.

Rope and Wire are two things I never minded buying More of than I needed for a Current Project.

Because it always seems that down the road I will need a Piece of Rope or a Length of Wire for something. So I feel like it saves me a Trip to the Hardware Store.

But 2 Bucks a Foot does seem kinda High. But I don't buy much wire. And Everything seems like it is High lately.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwi...x-SIMpull-CU-NM-B-W-G-Wire-28828299/204724936

Yeah, HD sells by the foot but it has to be delivered or shipped. Takes better part of a week.