Sears DieHard
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 233
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From: Parkersburg WV
Sears DieHard
Should I ask for a new one?, I bought one Dec. 5th and it would not start the car today. I haven't driven it for almost a month because of the weather here in WV, down to -8 one night and really cold most of the time. I don't even have a garage right now, I'm keeping the car at a friends outside, ouch, so no battery tender is possible. It's a Sears DieHard Gold
Last edited by AstroMan1; Mar 2, 2015 at 12:31 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Take it in to Sears. They will test it for free and if it needs to be replaced they will replace it under the warranty. IF it just needs to be recharged they will probably recharge it for free as well. I've always used DieHard Gold in all my cars including my two vettes.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Take it in to Sears. They will test it for free and if it needs to be replaced they will replace it under the warranty. IF it just needs to be recharged they will probably recharge it for free as well. I've always used DieHard Gold in all my cars including my two vettes.
Good advice...
Team Owner
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Cold weather can be hard on a battery especially if it's installed in a car and if that car may have some components that have some amount of current drain.
I would think that Sears would re-charge the battery and perform a load test on it. A fully charged 12 volt car battery should show about 12.7v when fully charged.
Once you get it re-charged, check for current drains. It's possible that small thing may have caused the discharge. Interior lamps such as a glove box light, sunvisor light, console light may be on and that will easily drain a battery. Is there any reason why you can't use a long extension cord at your friend's house? Even a 100' cord and a small battery tender like a Deltran Battery Tender Junior that's kept under the hood will work fine.
If you don't intend to drive the car for awhile, it may be a good idea to simply not re-install the battery. With the battery fully charged, it can sit inside and it will be ready to go as soon an you install it. But definitely check for any current drains.
I would think that Sears would re-charge the battery and perform a load test on it. A fully charged 12 volt car battery should show about 12.7v when fully charged.
Once you get it re-charged, check for current drains. It's possible that small thing may have caused the discharge. Interior lamps such as a glove box light, sunvisor light, console light may be on and that will easily drain a battery. Is there any reason why you can't use a long extension cord at your friend's house? Even a 100' cord and a small battery tender like a Deltran Battery Tender Junior that's kept under the hood will work fine.
If you don't intend to drive the car for awhile, it may be a good idea to simply not re-install the battery. With the battery fully charged, it can sit inside and it will be ready to go as soon an you install it. But definitely check for any current drains.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Greenwood Indiana
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
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Sears will do you right. They'll either recharge it, or give you a new one for free.
If you don't put it back in right away, make sure you don't set it on the floor until you're ready. That will cause a battery to go dead. (Set it on a chair or table)
You could also put it back in the car, but leave the negative cable disconnected until you get a chance to check things out.
If you don't put it back in right away, make sure you don't set it on the floor until you're ready. That will cause a battery to go dead. (Set it on a chair or table)
You could also put it back in the car, but leave the negative cable disconnected until you get a chance to check things out.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Cave Creek Arizona
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
OP your best course of action would be to remove the battery for a recharge,,, I would avoid jump starting at all cost!
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Jacksonville FL
Johnny, I am going to clarify a bit here. Semantics, I know. Do not set the battery on a concrete floor or directly on dirt. Always use some insulating property like a 2X12 or similar. Better not to have it anywhere near the ground. As Johnny mentioned it will kill it deadern a doornail!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Palmdale CA
Johnny, I am going to clarify a bit here. Semantics, I know. Do not set the battery on a concrete floor or directly on dirt. Always use some insulating property like a 2X12 or similar. Better not to have it anywhere near the ground. As Johnny mentioned it will kill it deadern a doornail!
http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/battery.asp
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: indy indiana
Keep in mind that you don't want a "high charge" or high current draw while idleing for long periods. That puts your charging system working at its hardest and it may not be able to handle it for long periods. You ever see the young guys with the high powered amps for the bass woofers sitting in a parking lot wanting a jump? Besides taking the battery out, I simply disconnect the ground cable to the battery if My car is going to sit for long periods.. a 5/16 inch wrench is cheap. good luck, like others say, sears will take care of you
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 233
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From: Parkersburg WV
Thanks guys, sorry it took so long to get back to you, I appreciate your help. I wonder what do car dealers do when cars sit for a long time, I can't believe I had this problem.
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Need to work on your winterize methods. Charge, and disconnect the battery. Before you remove the panel, and battery, charge the battery, and see if it holds the charge.
C4cruiser is right:
C4cruiser is right:
Cold weather can be hard on a battery especially if it's installed in a car and if that car may have some components that have some amount of current drain.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Biloxi Mississippi
Did you look at his link? It's a solar trickle charger. No access to A/C power is needed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
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From: Palmdale CA
The other Option would be a battery tender connected to a power source, as long as the battery remains at or near a full charge it won't freeze.
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...ry-freeze.html
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: NW Arkansas - usually winter in FL
The cooler the ambient temp, the slower the self discharge rate - see here -
Make sure the battery is disconnected or parasitic drains will discharge the battery -
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/self_discharge
http://powerelectronics.com/site-fil...s-Figure04.jpg
Make sure the battery is disconnected or parasitic drains will discharge the battery -
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/self_discharge
http://powerelectronics.com/site-fil...s-Figure04.jpg
Last edited by jake corvette; Mar 6, 2015 at 01:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
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From: Longmont Co
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Cohasset MN
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FWIW I have Sears Die Hard batteries in my two C1s and they have given me great service. During winter storage I use a battery disconnect and charge them with a maintenance charger once a month. They usually reach full charge within minutes.
I think with any battery, the key is to keep them charged.
I think with any battery, the key is to keep them charged.