We have a small fleet of vehicles at work with forklifts, trucks, and tractors. The guy in charge of maintenance ( as an additional duty) takes care of them like his own; in over his head, being cheap with repair parts, and cobbling things together.
Today I was asked (again) to use “my” battery tester. I purchased a tester for the company that walks you the test sequence but I still get asked if I can test them. I asked what the problem was and was told “I’ve had to jump start the F-350 (2013 Powerstroke) for the past few mornings but it starts fine all day. I changed the battery not that long ago and the terminals look good, I can’t figure it out”. I go out to the running truck and can smell a battery boiling. He had changed one battery awhile back but the other was the original. Now both batteries are bad. Being cheap and changing only one battery in the end cost more.
This same guy has changed a starter because the forklift wouldn’t start, then changed the battery because it was dead, then realized the alternator belt was loose. It squealing for weeks was never a clue.
Today I was asked (again) to use “my” battery tester. I purchased a tester for the company that walks you the test sequence but I still get asked if I can test them. I asked what the problem was and was told “I’ve had to jump start the F-350 (2013 Powerstroke) for the past few mornings but it starts fine all day. I changed the battery not that long ago and the terminals look good, I can’t figure it out”. I go out to the running truck and can smell a battery boiling. He had changed one battery awhile back but the other was the original. Now both batteries are bad. Being cheap and changing only one battery in the end cost more.
This same guy has changed a starter because the forklift wouldn’t start, then changed the battery because it was dead, then realized the alternator belt was loose. It squealing for weeks was never a clue.