[Z06] Battery Draw
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Battery Draw
Any one have any problems with batteries going dead when not used for 2 weeks at at time. I have a 2003 Z06. The battery kept going down
took it to the deailer and they replaced the battery checked out the charging system. Except for the new battery everything checked out ok. Still have the problem. Is this normal when the vechile is not used for two weeks at a time. Don't know how much draw is there when just sitting.
took it to the deailer and they replaced the battery checked out the charging system. Except for the new battery everything checked out ok. Still have the problem. Is this normal when the vechile is not used for two weeks at a time. Don't know how much draw is there when just sitting.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad CA
Mine did after a month and when it happened my radio said LOC on the display and I had to find out the special code to input so I could use the radio again. I guess it's due to all the electronics on the car. Good thing about this forum is that someone will have an answer for you. I'm using a battery maintainer now so I can avoid a dead battery. You can just drive it more often.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by GeoZ06
Any one have any problems with batteries going dead when not used for 2 weeks at at time. I have a 2003 Z06.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,061
Likes: 266
From: Slower than a speeding bullet................ Fort Lauderdale, FL
I haven't heard of them going dead after only 2 weeks.
I keep my battery tender on year 'round... I only drive my Z06 maybe
twice a month. Starts right up for me this way.
I keep my battery tender on year 'round... I only drive my Z06 maybe
twice a month. Starts right up for me this way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by Mr. Wonderful
I haven't heard of them going dead after only 2 weeks.
I keep my battery tender on year 'round... I only drive my Z06 maybe
twice a month. Starts right up for me this way.
I keep my battery tender on year 'round... I only drive my Z06 maybe
twice a month. Starts right up for me this way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Per the Service Manual, the nominal parisitic current draw on the battery when sitting is 18 to 20 mA.
I measured the current draw on my Zee's battery after having an Optima Red Top battery not holding a charge for more than a week or two. Found that indeed the parasitic current draw was 18 mA (alarm not set), so it was the battery that was defective. Got a new Optima under warranty and all it fine.
At 18 ~ 20 mA draw, a fully charged, healthy battery should be able to go 4 to 6 weeks without a charge and still start the car.
I measured the current draw on my Zee's battery after having an Optima Red Top battery not holding a charge for more than a week or two. Found that indeed the parasitic current draw was 18 mA (alarm not set), so it was the battery that was defective. Got a new Optima under warranty and all it fine.
At 18 ~ 20 mA draw, a fully charged, healthy battery should be able to go 4 to 6 weeks without a charge and still start the car.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
From: Beavercreek Ohio
Originally Posted by ZeeOSix
Per the Service Manual, the nominal parisitic current draw on the battery when sitting is 18 to 20 mA.
I measured the current draw on my Zee's battery after having an Optima Red Top battery not holding a charge for more than a week or two. Found that indeed the parasitic current draw was 18 mA (alarm not set), so it was the battery that was defective. Got a new Optima under warranty and all it fine.
At 18 ~ 20 mA draw, a fully charged, healthy battery should be able to go 4 to 6 weeks without a charge and still start the car.
I measured the current draw on my Zee's battery after having an Optima Red Top battery not holding a charge for more than a week or two. Found that indeed the parasitic current draw was 18 mA (alarm not set), so it was the battery that was defective. Got a new Optima under warranty and all it fine.
At 18 ~ 20 mA draw, a fully charged, healthy battery should be able to go 4 to 6 weeks without a charge and still start the car.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County CA
My battery drain is somewhat noticeable when I start-up and I do not own a battery tender. But for sure it does not go dead like several have mentioned. If your battery is "dead", and you just bought a new one, then something is wrong after only two weeks. Mine is factory and 35 months old. I'll let it sit for three weeks and it does not go dead. May crank a little slower, but not dead as so many mentioned. I think a battery tender is a good idea.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Newtown PA
My original "Z06" battery went dead after about a year. The dealer replaced it with a non Z06 battery (whatever that means) and I have been good for about 2 years. But about a three weeks ago I notice that my DIC was indicating charge system fault or words to that effect every now and then. After that I started paying attention to the battery voltage guage. I noticed that when I shut down the engine and then read the battery voltage off the digital readout, it would be about 12.5 volts. The next morning it would read 11.9 before cranking it over, and this is without setting the alarm. After two days, it would read 11.5 volts. I drive the car pretty regularly during the spring/summer so I dont know how low it has to go before the DIC warning kicks in, since the car gets driven at least once every two days.