Simple Battery Help

[JapanL81]

Alright i bought an Optima Battery 8003-151 34R REDTOP i put it in and it wont start so i put jumper cables on it and it started. I charged it for about 30 minutes took the cables off and tried to crank it again Nothing! they also have a 34L did i buy the wrong battery? this is the biggest and strongest battery i have available locally.

 

[Antz81]

As far as i can tell that battery should be fine. It's a lot stronger than the one i have in mine.
The difference between the 34 and the 34R is the terminals; you would have already noticed if that was a problem.
What voltage are you getting on the battery posts with the key off? And what about when cranking?
Do you get a different voltage on the cables?

 

[JapanL81]

Well my Volt gauge says I'm sitting at 8volts but who knows how accurate that is i will my mulitmeter on and do some checks so far not impressed with Optima i figured i was going to attache terminals and be good to go not have to trouble shoot a battery its ridiculous that my Small lexus battery is the only way to get the Vette jumped and running which has Half the MCA.

 

[Antz81]

Well my Volt gauge says I'm sitting at 8volts but who knows how accurate that is i will my mulitmeter on and do some checks so far not impressed with Optima i figured i was going to attache terminals and be good to go not have to trouble shoot a battery its ridiculous that my Small lexus battery is the only way to get the Vette jumped and running which has Half the MCA.

Has the gauge never moved away from 8v? Not even when you've had it running?
Once its running are you able to remove the jumper cables without any issues?

 

[Peer81]

When you turn the key, do you even heard the start relais clicking? It could be a couple of things but it is a hide and seek game. First the Optima, is it a brand new one? Take it out and let a different shop test the Optima on how many amps it can produce. Voltage is nice to know but the amps are what you want to know. An old battery that has been compleetly empty a couple of times could charge back up to 12v but if the battery can't hold the amps it can't even light a small bulb for a minute! And while your at it, get yourself a small charger (auto shut on/off) because of the above.

Second. Problem in the wiring between the key and the solenoid. Alarm can block the start function, also the gear safety switch!

Greetings Peter

 

[Antz81]

When you turn the key, do you even heard the start relais clicking? It could be a couple of things but it is a hide and seek game. First the Optima, is it a brand new one? Take it out and let a different shop test the Optima on how many amps it can produce. Voltage is nice to know but the amps are what you want to know. An old battery that has been compleetly empty a couple of times could charge back up to 12v but if the battery can't hold the amps it can't even light a small bulb for a minute! And while your at it, get yourself a small charger (auto shut on/off) because of the above.

Second. Problem in the wiring between the key and the solenoid. Alarm can block the start function, also the gear safety switch!

Greetings Peter

Thanks for you input Peter.
I have assumed it is a new battery and is up to the specs it claims. But if its not you could very well be right, it could just be a bad battery.
You are also correct about the amps being what drives the starter. I normally just use these volt reading to give me an idea of whats happening. Also most people don't have a ammeter like mine. (reads up to 600A dc) also since I=V/R the voltage gives me an idea of how the battery is performing.

I doubt he is having trouble with the wiring between the key and solenoid or the alarm as it starts when connected to another battery.

 

[LLC5]

Alright i bought an Optima Battery 8003-151 34R REDTOP i put it in and it wont start so i put jumper cables on it and it started. I charged it for about 30 minutes took the cables off and tried to crank it again Nothing! they also have a 34L did i buy the wrong battery? this is the biggest and strongest battery i have available locally.

You probably have a new sulfated battery that sat in storage too long without being properly maintained and charged, I have seen it many times. Have it load tested properly to check the available CCA in the battery. Good luck with it.

 

[JapanL81]

Well my Volt gauge says I'm sitting at 8volts but who knows how accurate that is i will my mulitmeter on and do some checks so far not impressed with Optima i figured i was going to attache terminals and be good to go not have to trouble shoot a battery its ridiculous that my Small lexus battery is the only way to get the Vette jumped and running which has Half the MCA.

Thanks for you input Peter.
I have assumed it is a new battery and is up to the specs it claims. But if its not you could very well be right, it could just be a bad battery.
You are also correct about the amps being what drives the starter. I normally just use these volt reading to give me an idea of whats happening. Also most people don't have a ammeter like mine. (reads up to 600A dc) also since I=V/R the voltage gives me an idea of how the battery is performing.

I doubt he is having trouble with the wiring between the key and solenoid or the alarm as it starts when connected to another battery.

Alright so i had the battery tested and yes it was a fresh battery right from the shelf it was producing 12.5 volts butttttt the cranking amps were terribly low so i got a new battery( and terminal ends since i was back there anyways) hooked everything up started right up.

I bought this car for a steal i mean it was damn near free, so i thought going into this it was going to be a money pit to even get it running no less fully restored and where i want it to be but i have now completed restored the interior including retubing the floor pan as it was non exisitant rhino lined the under carage, i have to run through the vacuum leak i have in the head lights then to paint and body this entire restore with the cost of the car has run me under 5,000$ and the motor only has 35,000 miles !! I have finally found something to motivate me in life again and the support from this web site is amazing i can't thank all of you enough for the incredible information y'all provide Thank thank and thank you again I will post pics this weekend and show you how far I've turned this thing around in a matter of a couple of weeks.

 

[Antz81]

Alright so i had the battery tested and yes it was a fresh battery right from the shelf it was producing 12.5 volts butttttt the cranking amps were terribly low so i got a new battery( and terminal ends since i was back there anyways) hooked everything up started right up.

I bought this car for a steal i mean it was damn near free, so i thought going into this it was going to be a money pit to even get it running no less fully restored and where i want it to be but i have now completed restored the interior including retubing the floor pan as it was non exisitant rhino lined the under carage, i have to run through the vacuum leak i have in the head lights then to paint and body this entire restore with the cost of the car has run me under 5,000$ and the motor only has 35,000 miles !! I have finally found something to motivate me in life again and the support from this web site is amazing i can't thank all of you enough for the incredible information y'all provide Thank thank and thank you again I will post pics this weekend and show you how far I've turned this thing around in a matter of a couple of weeks.

Bad brand new battery? I guess the big ones would sit for a while over there. Can't be too many vehicles there that would use them (except the US military base. There is one in Okinawa right?)
Dam you did get a steal.

 

[Peer81]

Good to hear the battery was the problem! Good luck with the L81, if you have any more question fwel free to ask
But a C3 in Japan, that is something you don't hear every day!

Greetings Peter