Damage caused by constant battery drain?

Besides the obvious strain on the electrical system, is there any other damage that could be caused by constant drain of the battery to a no-crank condition?

Reason I ask is because the battery in our van is pretty much dead. Even though the van may run like weeks at a time (long enough to charge the battery back to full), ANY time that its shut off and the headlights are left on (no dinger warning, long story), even if they are left on for just a few minutes, its enough to where theres not enough juice to start it again so it needs a jump.

I have been nagging at my mom to get a new battery, but she's having a major fit because she doesnt have the extra money available (and im like, yeah. wait till one day when you are stranded in the middle of nowhere.).

Anyways, I just figured maybe something like the computer constantly losing its configuration and having to relearn it constantly could become a problem.

Hello

First off, if the battery is really low, it should be charged with a battey charger. Using the alt to charge a "dead" battery is really hard on it. I would take the battery to a place like AutoZone and have it load tested. While you're at it, have the charging system checked.

Also, a low battery causes poor engine performance. The ignition system requires a strong battery, so does the the computer. And yes, the computer does have to "relearn" when it doesn't have power...ie...dead battery. The engine doesn't run it's best.

A good battery is the heart of the electrical system.

What is the condidion of your battery terminals? Do they need cleaning? How about the places wires are attached to the ground (frame/body), are they clean?

If your mom doesn't replace the the battery the alt is probably next.

Something to check,

Dan

like I said, I know all this and Ive been getting on her case about doing it before more damage is done.

The battery terminals are fairly clean since a past problem we had concerning the battery.

Thanks for the extra info though. so in a case where we'd see abnormally low gas mileage (under normal circumstances we see close to 25mpg highway), it could probably be blamed on this whole battery mess I take it.

The van itself will tolerate a dying battery... better than the battery itself will. A typical auto battery doesn't like to be completely discharged, and its life will be dramatically shortened if regularly discharged completely (or nearly so). Auto batteries are designed to provide a large current for a short period of time (for starting) and then recharged. Deep discharge damages the internals of an auto battery (far more than, for example, marine/RV deep-cycle batteries that are designed for low-current, longer-term use).

I'd replace the battery - and make sure the van's charging system is working correctly. Yeah, a battery will cost some money. Dealing with even one stranded-at-the-side-of-the-road event will probably cost more.