Question about truck battery, that wont hold charge

I just thought I would bring this question here, just in case someone might know an answer. So I bought this old truck for yard work. It was running like a champ. My nephew came over to visit, he is a proud new mechanic btw, LoL. He was like cool truck can I check it out. He dinked around with it a bit and started it up. When he turned the truck off, he didnt turn the key all the way off. It drained the battery, not completely but enough that it wouldnt start.

I charged it, and it started up. I was able to drive to drop off a load of branches to the wood recycling place, and back. I thought well problem solved. But the next time I went to start it, no go. Same story on repeat.

So basically the battery wont hold a charge now. Yesterday I charged it in the morning, but didn't drive it. I tried to start it again later that evening and it was dead again. I am wondering if anyone might know something?

I know that it is possible that the battery was damaged and wont hold a charge, or it could be that maybe there was too much stress on the alternator and it is not charging. But the thing is when I start it after jumping the gauge indicates that it is charging fine. I guess my next step would be to go get the battery tested, and then the alternator.

But I thought one of you might know something that I am missing in my little mystery.

How old is the battery?

Probably one or more cells in the battery cracked. Buy a new battery.

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Originally Posted by gamewell45

How old is the battery?

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I am not sure since I bought the truck used a little over a month ago. It does not look new though.

The battery is shot. Buy new one.

Batteries don't last forever - 3-5 years is the average. After that they won't hold a charge. However, if the battery is newer, then corrosion is a likely culprit. If your battery posts are green, you need to clean them.

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Originally Posted by Just AnotherPerson

I am not sure since I bought the truck used a little over a month ago. It does not look new though.

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chances are it's on the old side and won't hold a charge; you could take it to a service station and have them check it for you. that's what I'd do anyhow. Good luck either way.

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Originally Posted by gamewell45

chances are it's on the old side and won't hold a charge; you could take it to a service station and have them check it for you. that's what I'd do anyhow. Good luck either way.

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Thank you for the advice. Yeah maybe that is it. Maybe it is older and that incident was the last straw for the battery. I will definitely get it checked. Here is something else I was wondering. If it was the alternator, and I do get a new battery and put it in. Could the new battery get ruined? I know most likely it is just the battery. But they are a bit expensive. I guess I was a little scared of that. But maybe I am wrong.

Batteries are not expensive and they will check your alternator when they install it for you.

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Originally Posted by Dr. Who

Batteries don't last forever - 3-5 years is the average. After that they won't hold a charge. However, if the battery is newer, then corrosion is a likely culprit. If your battery posts are green, you need to clean them.

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Thank you for the advice. Yeah probably age then. I didn't know batteries had such a short life. Yeah does not look newer, and the terminals are as clean as can be. It doesn't look that old either, but you can tell it is not new.