So Fix it

Car batteries store chemical energy and convert it into electrical energy as needed.



The automotive battery industry rates performance under simulated loads to gauge battery capacity and condition. The chemical reaction within a battery is less efficient at lower temperatures, so cold-weather operation is factored into battery cranking ability.



The Battery Council International maintains the various testing standards discussed in this article.

Cold Cranking Amps

Cold cranking amps shows the batterys ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. It is defined as the number of amps a fully charged 12-Volt battery can deliver at zero degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds, while maintaining at least 7.2 Volts.

Cranking Amps

Cranking amps is a similar rating that gauges battery performance while cranking at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The CA number will always be higher than the CCA value, because lower temperatures in the CCA test reduce reaction efficiency inside the battery.

Reserve Capacity

Reserve capacity tells you how long the battery can keep the headlights on and vehicle running if the charging system is not working. This test uses a reference temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The discharge rate for this test is 25 amps, and the timer stops when battery strength slips below 10.5 Volts.

Ampere Hours

Ampere hour expresses how long a fully charged battery can provide an unchanging current before the voltage drops under 10.5 V. This test shows the batterys ability to undergo a slow but steady drain.

Batteries can generate explosive hydrogen gases when charging, so its important to understand how to use the Everstart 12-amp car battery charger correctly. An Everstart battery charger will bring your battery back to life, if the battery has undamaged cells and will accept a charge. Everstart chargers, which are no longer being manufactured, are older battery chargers that come in different models. Some are made specifically for charging boating and recreational vehicle batteries, car batteries, farm equipment and motorcycle batteries, while others are made for charging any battery type. A 12-amp Everstart battery charger can also be adjusted for a lower trickle charge if needed and set to charge either a 6- or 12-volt battery.

Instructions

Automatic Charging

1

Verify the type of battery in your vehicle. Some batteries are maintenance-free and require replacement rather than charging. Ensure your battery will accept a charge before proceeding. The basic difference between the two battery types is that a maintenance-free battery is a sealed battery with no way to refill the battery with water. These types of batteries require replacement.

2

Identify the negative battery post on the battery -- it is the post marked "-." Detach the vehicles negative cable using an appropriately sized open-end wrench. Set the cable aside. Repeat for the positive battery post and cable.

3

Remove the battery maintenance caps from the battery and check the batterys fluid levels. If low, add distilled water to the battery until the water reaches the bottom of where the cap inserts. Replace the caps.

4

Place the battery charger as far away as possible from the battery, at least the distance of the chargers cables.

5

Plug in the battery charger, but dont turn it on.

6

Attach the chargers red cable to the positive battery post identified with a "+" near the battery post. Attach the negative or black cable to the engines frame. Do not attach the negative cable to the carburetor, fuel lines or sheet metal on the vehicle.

7

Adjust the amperage and volt settings to match the battery being charged. For instance, if charging a 12-volt battery, select 12-volt and the amperage charge, if charging a 6-volt battery, slide the button to the 6-volt setting. For amperage, choose the amperage at which to charge the battery. Everstart chargers equipped with a 12-amp charge capacity will also have the ability to set the amperage at a lower, "trickle" charge and "medium" charge setting. Slide the switch to a 2-amp charge or "trickle" charge, as this is the most effective means of charging your battery. It will take longer to charge, however, it is the safest means of charging a battery. Slower amperage charges also prolong the batterys life.

8

Turn the battery charger on. When the charger is done charging, it will automatically quit charging the battery. Turn the charger off.

9

Unplug the Everstart battery charger and remove the charger cables from the battery, ensuring not to touch the cables between both posts. Reattach the vehicles negative cable to the batterys negative post first using an appropriately sized open-end wrench and then reattach the positive cable.

Manual Operation

10

Follow Steps 1 through 7 in the previous section to hook up the manual battery charger.

11

Turn the battery on.

12

Review the amps section of the dial to determine how many amps the battery is accepting. As the battery charges, the amperage will return to "0." Because the battery charger will not shut off, you will need to pay attention to the dial on the battery charger. Unplug the charger when the amperage reaches "0." If the battery will not accept a charge after first turning on the battery charger, and it continues to read "0" amps, the battery has dead cells and will require replacement.

The Cummins B series of diesel engines are best-suited for light and medium trucks. The 6BT is a six-cylinder engine with two valves per cylinder, for a total of 12 valves. The Cummins 6BT is typically turbocharged and appears in Dodge trucks from 1994 to 1998, such as the Dodge Ram 2500. This engine uses an injection pump to keep the fuel at high pressure. The removal of the injection pump from a 12-valve Cummins engine requires the No. 1 cylinder to be in the top dead center position.

Instructions

1

Remove the cable from the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Disconnect the throttle linkage from the engine and remove the fuel drain manifold. Detach the fuel lines and the electrical wiring from the injection pump. Disconnect the fuel air control tube.

2

Disconnect the support bracket for the injection pump with a socket wrench. Remove the bracket for the oil filler tube from the front cover of the injection pump. Place a shop rag over the opening in the gear cover to keep debris out of the gear housing.

3

Connect a turning tool to the opening in the flywheel housing and attach an extension to the turning tool. Push the top dead center pin on the flywheel housing as you turn the flywheel with the turning tool. Stop turning the flywheel when the pin drops into the gear timing hole. Remove the pin from the hole and detach the turning equipment from the flywheel housing.

4

Remove the lock screw and washer from the injection pump with a socket wrench. Tighten the lock screw to 22 foot-pounds with a torque wrench to hold the crankshaft in place. Pull the drive gear for the injection pump from the crankshaft with a gear puller.

5

Disconnect the three mounting nuts from the injection pump with a socket wrench and detach the injection pump from the engine. Remove the gasket for the injection pump and clean the mounting surface for the gasket with a shop rag.