New Battery Needed?

[Johnnykretentiv]

My Ebisu wouldn't start for me a few weeks ago. I was out of town for 2 two weeks and the battery must have drained. I jumped her that day and went out for a nice long drive to get completely charged. A few days later she was dead again. Realizing this jumping is terrible for the battery, electronics and a huge PITA. I bought a battery tender to keep everything good.

I notice that my DIC says 11.7 volts after sitting on the charger for a few days. I assume a new battery is needed. When running I get about 14.1 volts on the DIC. What reading should I get with a healthy battery? 12 - 13?

Time for a Red Top? I think so.

I'll have the Autozone guys test it for me but I would still like to know what reading I should expect.

Thanks Gang

 

[Hib Halverson]

I notice that my DIC says 11.7 volts after sitting on the charger for a few days. I assume a new battery is needed. When running I get about 14.1 volts on the DIC. What reading should I get with a healthy battery? 12 - 13?

A good battery should read around 12.6V when fully charged.

Of you see 11.7 on the DIC but 14.1 when the engine is running, the number one suspect is the battery itself. When you replace the battery check/test the cables. too.

 

[Johnnykretentiv]

From what I have read the battery while in sleep mode should be 12.6V. Thank you for the prompt response.

Now only if the weather would get better up here so I could take a drive to Autozone or Advance for a battery. We have had 15" of rain in the last 20 days!!!! Not many good vette drivin' days this August.

Thanks again

 

[Johnnykretentiv]

Got a new battery - there was definitely something wrong with the old one. All is well. But I'm still plugging it into the battery tender when I get home.

 

[aquaholic_]

i'de stay away from those cheap batteries from advance and autozone. get an optima. their leak proof and won't drip acid onto your computer. which incidently, is located directly underneath your battery tray.

 

[Johnnykretentiv]

Bought a Red Top at Advance. Good to go.

 

[aquaholic_]

good choice. that battery will serve you well.

 

[handstjg]

I bought a red top about 6 months ago and it worked fine until I didn't get to drive my 2001 C5 for about a month, naturally with it was dead. Charged for a few hours, took off and no problems. A week later same thing dead as a door nail. Charged again for 2 days then drove it no problems. This weekend had to jump it to get it started and then drove it for 2 hours; all the way the volt meter was at 13.7 to 14 volts. Started great yesterday and 3 three times today for short hops.

Could a drain from the security system cause the battery to go so flat it is ruined it?
Maybe the alternator is seeing nothing but a dead short when driving or could the alternator be kaput?

Where should I start first? ;help

Hands...

 

[Johnnykretentiv]

I bought a red top about 6 months ago and it worked fine until I didn't get to drive my 2001 C5 for about a month, naturally with it was dead. Charged for a few hours, took off and no problems. A week later same thing dead as a door nail. Charged again for 2 days then drove it no problems. This weekend had to jump it to get it started and then drove it for 2 hours; all the way the volt meter was at 13.7 to 14 volts. Started great yesterday and 3 three times today for short hops.

Could a drain from the security system cause the battery to go so flat it is ruined it?
Maybe the alternator is seeing nothing but a dead short when driving or could the alternator be kaput?

Where should I start first? ;help

Hands...

I have heard that if your battery is DEAD. I mean really dead it will have a tough time holding a charge after that. I highly recommend getting a battery tender to keep that thing charged all the time. I plug mine into a charger while it is in my garage at all times.

Take your battery in and have it tested along with the alternator. Autozone and those places do it for free. It's very hard on (I said hard on) the alternator to be charging the battery all the time and it's rough on the electronics being jumped over and over.

 

[04 Commemorative]

I have heard that if your battery is DEAD. I mean really dead it will have a tough time holding a charge after that. I highly recommend getting a battery tender to keep that thing charged all the time. I plug mine into a charger while it is in my garage at all times.

Take your battery in and have it tested along with the alternator. Autozone and those places do it for free. It's very hard on (I said hard on) the alternator to but charging the batter all the time and it's rough on the electronics being jumped over and over.

Ha ....you did ....you said hard on lol

 

[aquaholic_]

pull your neg batt cable and stick an ammeter in line with it and see what your amp draw is.

i also found this on another forum that i hang out on. i don't know whether it applies to c5's or c6's though.

Dead Battery, reprogram RCDLR 07.06.03.001

Condition
Some customers may comment on a dead battery after the vehicle has been parked for a extended period of time. Typically, the battery will last approximately two weeks.

Cause

A software anomaly within the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR) causes an additional 30 mA draw on the battery when passive locking is enabled and the vehicle is parked.

Correction

Reprogram the remote control door lock receiver.

On Corvette models, prior to reprogramming, remove the Radio/S-Band/VICS 15-amp fuse from the I/P electrical center (passenger side).

 

[handstjg]

I'll have them both checked this weekend and let you know. I do not have a passive door lock enabled but will definitely check the amperage draw checked.

Thanks for the help,

hands

 

[LT4man]

I learned the following from a friend of mine who owns a battery wholesale distributor in the Chicagoland area. He has been selling Optima Batteries since they came out.

If your Optima loses its charge, it is VERY important to recharge the battery in ONLY the following way:

Use the 10 amp setting on your battery charger! Do not use the 2 amp or 1/2 amp setting found on many chargers.

If you do the preceding, you will recharge your Optima properly and the battery will continue to give you months and months of good service.

SAVE THE

 

[Johnnykretentiv]

I learned the following from a friend of mine who owns a battery wholesale distributor in the Chicagoland area. He has been selling Optima Batteries since they came out.

If your Optima loses its charge, it is VERY important to recharge the battery in ONLY the following way:

Use the 10 amp setting on your battery charger! Do not use the 2 amp or 1/2 amp setting found on many chargers.

If you do the preceding, you will recharge your Optima properly and the battery will continue to give you months and months of good service.

SAVE THE

That's good to know.

 

[handstjg]

More good info, thanks again. I know I started it at 10 amps both times but after the amperage dropped down to 2 amps or less I turned it down to the 2 amp setting.

Could be an expensive lesson, will depend on NAPA. hnoes

Thanks again, I'll keep you posted.