1999 Dodge Ram battery dying constantly

[dorlow]

So, about 6 months ago, I bought a 1999 Dodge Ram just to keep around the house to do odd and ends jobs. Not a daily driver. I might have a need for it every few months. Well, a few months ago, I went to start it and the battery was dead. I have a battery charger that tests the battery. It said the battery was bad. So, I bought a new battery. A few days ago, I went to start it... again with the new battery, it was dead. Put the charger on it and it said again that there was a shorted cell in it. So, I returned that one under warranty. Now went to start it, dead again (a week later.) So, I guess it's obvious it's not a bad battery (or at least the bad batteries are a cause of something else wrong.) I'm guessing there's a slow drain somewhere in the truck. Any ideas how to find it?

Oh, and I don't know if this has anything to do with it... Ever since I've owned it, every once in a while when driving the truck, all the gauges on the dash go to 0. Then it will just randomly start working again. Don't know if that has anything to do with the battery dying problem.

[Chris Stewart]

Youtube videos show lots of ways to find what's pulling your battery down.

I like this one,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B__DqK90IIc

[the61]

I had to replace my ignition key. it would pull out no matter where it was and I replaced both the ignition switch and the key cylinder. it costs about 30 bucks each. It ended the never knowing if I need the charger for the dead battery crap.
That thing would set for 3 weeks and start right up then some days it would be dead the next morning drove me nuts.