Optima battery problems part 2.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
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From: Plainfield, IL
Optima battery problems part 2.
I recently made a post regarding issues with my car. The car couldnt sit for a couple days without needing a jump. After a brief testing of all the circuits in the fuse panel nothing seems to be using any power when the car is off. I charged the battery until it read 12.54 (same reading my Jeep Cherokee read after sitting all day). With the battery not in the car I kept taking readings and it is slowly but surely going down. It read 12.54 last night and this morning it read 12.34 and im assuming will keep going down (will test when I get home from work again). Does this prove that its the battery that is bad? Autozone tested it a couple weeks ago and said it was good. What the heck. Any input is appreciated.
JT
JT
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From: Schaumburg IL
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sorry to hear about the Battery woe's I had read on the forum a bunch of other people having the same problem with this battery as you so I have left my stock battery in..it's 5 years old and no issues, I keep it on a battery tender during the winter, but during warm weather it has sat for weeks on end and fires right up.
I'll buy another Delco battery when this one does go
good luck
I'll buy another Delco battery when this one does go
good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Long Island New York
Originally Posted by JTS97Z28
I recently made a post regarding issues with my car. The car couldnt sit for a couple days without needing a jump. After a brief testing of all the circuits in the fuse panel nothing seems to be using any power when the car is off. I charged the battery until it read 12.54 (same reading my Jeep Cherokee read after sitting all day). With the battery not in the car I kept taking readings and it is slowly but surely going down. It read 12.54 last night and this morning it read 12.34 and im assuming will keep going down (will test when I get home from work again). Does this prove that its the battery that is bad? Autozone tested it a couple weeks ago and said it was good. What the heck. Any input is appreciated.
JT
JT
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I wouldn't think that the battery should go down that fast, especially with no drain on it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,712
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From: Seekonk MA / RI border
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I wouldn't think that the battery should go down that fast, especially with no drain on it.
I've got a thread running about my car being hard to start all of a sudden. I'm getting to the point where I'd bet the vette that it's my optima yellow top. I'll put my charger on it and it'll go to a reading of 4 (out of 6)...and in 10-15 min. it's down to zero and just trickling.
Tank - My Delco looked and worked great (4 years old) until I took it out of the car and saw all the acid that it had leaked. I can't tell you how long I spent cleaning with water and baking soda. After all was said and done a spray painted the battery tray and area below.
I'm not saying those Delcos that came in the car don't work great...mine was just like yours...I put a maintainer on it all winter, would work fine in April...could let it sit for a week here and there without starting it and it would fire right up...but what's happening where you cannot see?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Long Island New York
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I wouldn't think that the battery should go down that fast, especially with no drain on it.
thats why I say go to a tech ..he'll let you know whats up
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: "Man been singin' the Blues, since he began to till the ground"...Vancouver, USA WA.
Not sure, but I thought yellow tops were a "Deep cycle" batt. and will not charge completly in a car unless you drive about 500mi. Like I said, I'M NOT SURE!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 813
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From: Long Island New York
Originally Posted by herringchoker
Not sure, but I thought yellow tops were a "Deep cycle" batt. and will not charge completly in a car unless you drive about 500mi. Like I said, I'M NOT SURE!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Being a deep cycle battery just means it can withstand multiple discharges without suffering any damage (supposedly). I have had my yellow top in my Z06 for over four years and it still is running strong. I sometimes let my car sit for a month between starts.
Here is a quote from Optima's site. Take it for what it is worth.
OPTIMA YellowTop is made to install and forget. No matter the conditions, be it dampness, heat, dirt or exposure to extremes in vibration or regular discharge, you can count on OPTIMA to deliver uninterrupted power. OPTIMA's ability to hold a higher voltage during the discharge cycle makes it possible to utilize more of the stored power in the OPTIMA compared to ordinary batteries. The YellowTop handles many discharges as well as re-charges without losing significant capacity. OPTIMA is also ideal for seasonal use because of its very low self-discharge rate. That means you can store your seasonal vehicles all winter without regular charging and still spring out of the starting block when winter is over.
Here is a quote from Optima's site. Take it for what it is worth.
OPTIMA YellowTop is made to install and forget. No matter the conditions, be it dampness, heat, dirt or exposure to extremes in vibration or regular discharge, you can count on OPTIMA to deliver uninterrupted power. OPTIMA's ability to hold a higher voltage during the discharge cycle makes it possible to utilize more of the stored power in the OPTIMA compared to ordinary batteries. The YellowTop handles many discharges as well as re-charges without losing significant capacity. OPTIMA is also ideal for seasonal use because of its very low self-discharge rate. That means you can store your seasonal vehicles all winter without regular charging and still spring out of the starting block when winter is over.
Last edited by WWK888; May 31, 2006 at 02:51 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by Mr. Wonderful
I'm not a fan of Optimas, but shouldn't a passenger car use the red top ?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by VetteDawg
Tank - My Delco looked and worked great (4 years old) until I took it out of the car and saw all the acid that it had leaked. I can't tell you how long I spent cleaning with water and baking soda. After all was said and done a spray painted the battery tray and area below.
By the way, Deep-cycle batteries generally have a shorter lifespan than standard batteries, so if you have 4 years on one, thank your lucky stars. Most can't get past 3 years if history is any indication.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by Dave68
Tank's battery, like mine, is an AC Delco AGM battery - leak and vibrationproof. There's no need to worry about acid leaks.
By the way, Deep-cycle batteries generally have a shorter lifespan than standard batteries, so if you have 4 years on one, thank your lucky stars. Most can't get past 3 years if history is any indication.
By the way, Deep-cycle batteries generally have a shorter lifespan than standard batteries, so if you have 4 years on one, thank your lucky stars. Most can't get past 3 years if history is any indication.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 303
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From: Corinth MS
Knowing deep cycle batteries from my bass boat they are made for continuous current draw and respond better to being completely drained and then recharged. I know people with high powered car stereos have used them but only as accessory batteries for the stereo. I have a red top, after my 4 year old original delco gave out and have no issues with the red top.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 592
Likes: 17
From: Tempe AZ
I would still suggest that your electrical system is draining the battery. Try disocnnecting the cables from the battery and see if it still drains over two days. If so then it sounds like your battery, if NOT it means something in the vette is causing it to drain. Let us know.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
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From: Plainfield, IL
Originally Posted by az57chevy
I would still suggest that your electrical system is draining the battery. Try disocnnecting the cables from the battery and see if it still drains over two days. If so then it sounds like your battery, if NOT it means something in the vette is causing it to drain. Let us know.
The battery isnt in the car. Its sitting on the garage floor. I think I stated that in my original post.