I bought my Optima Red Top about 2 to 3 years ago. I don't drive the car in the winter if there's snow or ice on the ground, but I do start it periodically and let it run to freshen up the battery.

Since I put my system in, I noticed the battery drained on me twice... once at the local parking deck while I was doing the install and let it run for a little while without the car running (wife came and gave me a jump so I could run to the store to get more stuff)

The second time was a couple weeks ago, after I drove to work. I thought it was related with the key because it wouldn't start with the key I always use, but did start with the spare key.

Just this weekend, I tried to start it up so I could take a little ride and listen to some tunes, and I got the "stuttering DIC," where it never actually finished it's pre-start activities, but rather got stuck in the pre-start cycle.

It seems that the battery has some drainage just maintaining the memory of the stock systems, but the drainage has been elevated by the addition of the aftermarket system.

How often are you guys replacing your batteries? Are any of you running dual or multiple batteries in parallel?

My system isn't massive by any means- JVC Arsenal KW-ADV793 head unit, JL Audio HD900/5 amp, JL Audio 12W6 sub, and a .5 farad cap.

Any ideas? Or is 3 or so years the expected life cycle of the battery?

 

I have installed more then one big stereo system in a C5 (bigger then yours, which shouldnt have any issues) I recommend the big3 wiring upgrade but I doubt thats your issue. IMO take battery and get it tested at an autoparts store, optimas are known for going to crab once they have been drained one time

 

Thanks Pentavolvo.

Do any of you guys have recommendations for a more durable battery? I do quite a bit of travel throughout the year and I don't have the luxury of a garage or a convenient place to run a battery tender. It won't sit longer than a month without being started and run for 20+ mins, even in the winter season.