14 degrees proved too much for the old POS wrecker battery in the 95. That'* ok, it was only 20 bucks last year. But then again, it does get more costly (read on).

First of all, how do you swap batteries around without losing head unit programming and PCM power?


small battery charger tied into the main feed bus.


Old Optima (5 years now) still has 62% of it'* reserve power left:



If you haven't figured it out, the new Optima went to the Zilla. The Zilla'* old Optima is going to the SLEeper:



The extra cost is that my alternator didn't appreciate the battery not appreciating the cold recently, and it also went (going fast). I can hear the bearings grind, and it hits 120 degrees after about a minute of running:



Time to drop another $150 before this thing fries something else.

Wow, that'* pretty cool! I had a 7 year old Duralast Gold battery in the 99 SLE, and that just yesterday went out. I haven't checked my alternator in that car, but the car got my 94 SSEi'* old battery, and the 94 is still sitting and awaiting the discovery of its horrible power issue. Regardless of the power problems you have been having, I believe you should sleep well knowing there could be worse. Much worse. Enjoy your functioning pair of Bonnevilles!

That'* very likely the factory alternator on the car at 120k. Not bad, but if I'd put a better battery in it last year, this may not have happened.

There'* a direct relationship between the battery and alternator, and they can kill each other very easily if both aren't maintained properly.

Looks like a dollar an amp tomorrow for my replacement 140 amp alternator on that car.

I actually figured you'd have 160 amp alternators on both cars. I guess this way you save money. How long are alternator warranties?

What kind of battery charger is that? I am looking to get one soon to keep my battery healthy in the heat...

Not bad for the life of that battery.

And are you sure your alt is getting that hot that fast? Could be a fluke.

I have no need for a 160 on the SLE, nor do I care to pay that damn much for another.

That'* a Schumacher ATV charger. About 20 bucks. Not good for charging auto batteries without frying it, but enough to maintain memory/settings while changing one. My GOOD charger (you see it with the display showing 62%) is also the same brand, but it'* a diagnostic as well. For batteries and alternators. More bells and whistles than my radar detectors.

That alternator only puts out 70% of what it should upon starting, and drops to 10% within a minute as the bearings grind and heat up to the point of frying an egg.

I think I know a bad alternator when I see one.

It got to -30 up here this past week, I'm still on my stock battery. Barely started, but she did.

Well, the alternator is remarkably clean for how badly it seems to run. I'm very impressed. In fact, I would have guessed that it'* new! Very nice job detailing your engines, Will.

I don't SEE two. I only saw one...hooked up to the battery. You sure theres 2?

Schumacher? Got a model number? I have been looking for one with bells and whistles....I like bells and whistles.

I have a generic one from a large store that hums when it'* on. It charges things. What does a charger with bells and whistles do that'* so much more? Good idea for you to save your battery settings, and it'* more than I'd do. Remember that time my front battery and alternator died? I listened to the radio with my rear battery until the tow truck driver came! That'* also a good way to retain your settings.