Battery Woes?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Battery Woes?
I've got a 2004 Coupe. Driven from April to November, weekends only. Garage for the winter. I trickle charge on the first of the month. I went out today to charge the battery - Ok so I'm a little behind - and it was dead. So I do all the trouble-shooting and the darn thing is frozen! It's in a garage and yes, in Cleveland it's been frigid of late, but I've got 2 other cars that start every day outside. It's an AC Delco, original equipment battery.
I am warming it up slowly, but I don't know enough about batterys to know if it's now shorted in some manner, or maybe it will come back. I'm already figuring to replace but any suggestions and comments are welcome!
Appreciate it everyone! Where the heck is spring?!
I am warming it up slowly, but I don't know enough about batterys to know if it's now shorted in some manner, or maybe it will come back. I'm already figuring to replace but any suggestions and comments are welcome!
Appreciate it everyone! Where the heck is spring?!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
I'd be cautious reinstalling a battery that has been frozen in the Vette. Reason I say that is the vulnerable location above the computer, connector and harness below the battery tray. Its possible the case may have cracked, or plates shorted with the freeze expansion. If your the original owner that Delco still might have some warranty left for a prorated replacement.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 8
From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
As stated above you NEED a float charger, I paid $39.95 for the hardwired Tender and strongly suggest for you to spend the $120 for either a Optima red Top or an Exide Orbital for the vettes continued trouble free service. These cars appear to have an awful high battery draw when parked. The Tender (any float charger) is almost mandatory. I have my car plugged in whenever it's in the garage, which is where it lives. 
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I've had very good luck with the Optima Red Top (5+ years and still going strong) but the Exide Orbital is also a good choice. And I'd recommend you keep the battery tender on the battery all the time that it is just sitting there if you are not driving it on a regular basis.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
I'd be cautious reinstalling a battery that has been frozen in the Vette. Reason I say that is the vulnerable location above the computer, connector and harness below the battery tray. Its possible the case may have cracked, or plates shorted with the freeze expansion. If your the original owner that Delco still might have some warranty left for a prorated replacement.
And for Pete's sake whatever you do, DON"T hook up a charger to a frozen battery. I learned that the hard way, many years ago. Didn't realize before I clamped it that it was frozen. Blew the bottom out of the battery. Luckily, it didn't blow the top and get me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,171
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From: TN
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I've got a 2004 Coupe. Driven from April to November, weekends only. Garage for the winter. I trickle charge on the first of the month. I went out today to charge the battery - Ok so I'm a little behind - and it was dead. So I do all the trouble-shooting and the darn thing is frozen! It's in a garage and yes, in Cleveland it's been frigid of late, but I've got 2 other cars that start every day outside. It's an AC Delco, original equipment battery.
I am warming it up slowly, but I don't know enough about batterys to know if it's now shorted in some manner, or maybe it will come back. I'm already figuring to replace but any suggestions and comments are welcome!
Appreciate it everyone! Where the heck is spring?!
I am warming it up slowly, but I don't know enough about batterys to know if it's now shorted in some manner, or maybe it will come back. I'm already figuring to replace but any suggestions and comments are welcome!
Appreciate it everyone! Where the heck is spring?!
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Don't recharge that battery. There are horror stories here about AC Delcos that leak on the computers and cause $$ worth of damage. The older batteries were prone to leaking and once they've been discharged you're on borrowed time IMHO. I've had a leaker in another car and its not pretty.
Buy a replacement and then get a bettery tender and leave it hooked up permanently. Better spend a few $ now than thousands later.
Here's a link that may help you decide on which battery to buy.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503
BTW, its worth filling out your profile so members can give you advice based on the type and year of your Vette. Advice veries depending on model.
Buy a replacement and then get a bettery tender and leave it hooked up permanently. Better spend a few $ now than thousands later.
Here's a link that may help you decide on which battery to buy.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503
BTW, its worth filling out your profile so members can give you advice based on the type and year of your Vette. Advice veries depending on model.
Last edited by DeeGee; Feb 11, 2007 at 03:12 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
The Optimas Red top's seem to have jumped to $139 here in Michigan as of January
buy a batteyr flaot charger and leave it on all the time
www.harborfreight.com
42292-1VGA
Chicago Electric Power Tools AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER $14.99
$7.49
no Corvette tax here...
... you can pay more but you can't buy better
buy a batteyr flaot charger and leave it on all the time
www.harborfreight.com
42292-1VGA
Chicago Electric Power Tools AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER $14.99
$7.49
no Corvette tax here...
... you can pay more but you can't buy better
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 432
Likes: 49
From: Southern Maryland
The original equipment battery for 2004 vetts is an AC Delco 86-7YR. Yes, the dash number represents the warranty period of the battery. You might want to look into the warranty. Unfortunately, you'd be replacing a bad part with another bad part, IMHO. Look at DeeGee's battery poll.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Battery Woes
The Optima Red Top seems to be a good bet based on discussion points. I have yet to buy with 18 inches of snow on the ground - Ohio!
The dimensions of the RT are slightly "larger" than the stock AC Delco - did anyone have any problem connecting to the top posts? My cables seem taught now and I'm wondering if I'll have to convert to side posts with this battery. Mine's a 2004 Coupe. Appreciate your help!
The dimensions of the RT are slightly "larger" than the stock AC Delco - did anyone have any problem connecting to the top posts? My cables seem taught now and I'm wondering if I'll have to convert to side posts with this battery. Mine's a 2004 Coupe. Appreciate your help!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Rochester MN
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The Optimas Red top's seem to have jumped to $139 here in Michigan as of January
buy a batteyr flaot charger and leave it on all the time
www.harborfreight.com
42292-1VGA
Chicago Electric Power Tools AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER $14.99
$7.49
no Corvette tax here...
... you can pay more but you can't buy better
buy a batteyr flaot charger and leave it on all the time
www.harborfreight.com
42292-1VGA
Chicago Electric Power Tools AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER $14.99
$7.49
no Corvette tax here...
... you can pay more but you can't buy better