need help with charging/starting problem

[Rdub]

Okay, I've been hanging out here for around a year & need some help.... I have a 71 GMC K10 which I puchased about a year ago. I have receipts from local shops for an engine rebuild and RV cam instal about 25K ago and overhaul of transfer case and drivelines about 15K ago. I don't plan (yeah right ) to make any chages except electronic ignition this next spring or summer.

Okay, here's the problem... shortly after I bought the truck I started having problems with low/dead battery. Figured the battery was shot and wouldn't hold a charge so put in a new one this last summer. BTW, I do pretty good with AC wiring, remodeling around the house etc., but am lost when it comes to automotive wiring/electrical stuff..... anyway, new battery was good for several weeks then finally the problem started reoccuring. I don't drive it often, maybe once a week and probably don't average 100 miles per month to Home Depot etc. Lately I've been disconnecting the negative bat. terminal when I'm done driving and that seems to work okay.... so I drove the truck last weekend and disconnectred the neg. terminal. Wanted to pick up some stuff after work today for a home project so decided to drive it today. Went out this morning connected the batt. & noticed it didn't crank very well....drove it about 1/2 hour in stop & go traffic, & parked at work.... went out about 5 minutes later to move it and the engine turned over about 1 time and now I need a jump....... question is can you guys give me some obvious things, maybe a prioritized list of things to look for, replace or where do I start?

[cdowns]

sounds like a bad voltage regulator// 2 things to do are clean the ground wire of the regulator(shiney metal to shiney metal) and or just give the regulator a sharp hit with a rubber mallet// voltage reg is located on the rad core support driver side above the horns(a small square black box) /// if that doesn't help replace reg

[J Y Dog]

You might first check the alt belt to see if it is in good shape and is tight. Most zone type stores will check your start/charge system for free.

Jim

[chops333]

has the truck been changed over to an internally regulated alternator ? if so the alt. it might be bad just a thought good luck todd

[Longhorn Man]

i'll second the auto zone type store... they'll check it all out and tell you if you need an alt or a regulator.

[clay68c10]

I bet your alternator is charging, the stop and go traffic probably would have killed it otherwise. It sounds like you might have an amperage draw when it's shut off.
If you can't get to the parts store... Here's an easy way to see if you're charging; Put a voltmeter on the battery and put on accessories one at a time with the rpm's around 1500-2000. You shouldn't see your volts drop much past 12.6 with lights, fan, and wipers on. That gives you a starting point.
Do you have a newer radio with memory? The memory draw was enough to drain the battery on my old truck when I wasn't driving it a lot.