My Battery Keeps Dying!

[Joe Deb Vette]

I live in NJ, bought a house 2 years ago, and that has pretty much consumed my time, so driving the Vette has fallen down the list of things to do on weekends. I have put in 3 batteries, over the course of the last 2 years, as the battery seems to die after only about a month of sitting, give or take a few weeks. This doesn't happen shortly after the battery was purchased, seems to happen more often a few months later. Is that normal? I have a friend who had a similar problem, and it said it's due to the parasitic draw on the battery that the electrical and security system pulls from the battery? Is there that much "juice" needed, that it kills the battery by just sitting?

I want to make sure before I go and buy a new battery, plus a trickle charger. He has his on a trickle charger attached to a timer, so the charger kicks on for a few hours each day, as he drives his vette less than I do, and he says he has no problems.

Appreciate the advice!

 

[glomonac]

I had the same problem with my 87. I hooked up a batter tender and problem solved

 

[Joe Deb Vette]

Thanks. How often did you have it hooked up to the battery?

 

[89sleeper]

Have you checked to see if your lights under the hood are staying on?
Just unplug them and see if that don't solve the problem!

 

[glomonac]

You leave the battery tender connected 24 hours a day. When the battery is charged it shuts itself off. When it needs a charge, it goes back on. I have the shop manual for my car and it says that it's normal for the battery to drain when the car isn't used for an extended period of time. Check out this link: http://www.motorcyclebatteriesusa.com/battery-tender.asp

 

[89sleeper]

Good batterys don't just go dead unless some thing drains them!
My car car set for months and still start!

 

[Joe Deb Vette]

The lights are disconnected, from when I previously used to go to car shows, so that isn't the problem. I am going to buy a charger, and another new battery, and keep my fingers crossed that fixes the problem.

Thanks for the info.

 

[89sleeper]

The lights are disconnected, from when I previously used to go to car shows, so that isn't the problem. I am going to buy a charger, and another new battery, and keep my fingers crossed that fixes the problem.

Thanks for the info.

Just maybe when you do drive it your not driving it enough to fully charge the battery ?
The charger should do the trick Good Luck!

 

[redvett]

When you park your car do you take the keys out? If the passive alarm is on then there is a draw since the system is armed. I always leave my keys in the ign. so it does not arm. And use a battery tender. Last battery lasted 8 years.

 

[Joe Deb Vette]

It stays outside unfortunately, as my 62 Chevy is in the garage. Just installed a new battery, and got a trickle charger...hopefully that does the trick...3 battery's in 3 years, is getting a little crazy.

 

[speedmaster4]

11 days max without use or disconnect battery--saw that in service manual somewhere

 

[redvett]

It stays outside unfortunately, as my 62 Chevy is in the garage. Just installed a new battery, and got a trickle charger...hopefully that does the trick...3 battery's in 3 years, is getting a little crazy.

If thats the case the tender is only solution other than unhooking the battery. Three dead battery cycles on a battery is about the limit on a battery and its junk.

 

[tnovot]

Joe -
If you do a search on "battery" you will find several threads. Some of the most helpful might be as follows:
Huge draw on battery by ejrempel started 11/14/05
Battery keeps dying by VertLover on 8/29/05
Not sure of correct title - it is battery ??? by Redcoupe4+3 started on 10/27/05
I have had similar problems and just learned something when reviewing these threads. One mentioned that leaving the key pushed all the way into the ignition during storage triggers a higher current draw. The threads will give you many other things to consider.
Terry