Battery is dead
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Hershey PA
Battery is dead
After 6 days, battery is stone dead. Been cold here in PA, but ...in 6 days? Need a battery charge..what's the best? Some say the "battery tender plus". What say you? I want a very good one. This my first vette...first dead battery. HELP!!!
and where do I purchase one?
and where do I purchase one?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 502
Likes: 1
From: Fountain hills AZ
There are tenders available cheaper - Harbor Freight has some for under $10, but I seldom get there and do get to Wal Mart for my $4 prescriptions.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
You have a 99
The big question is whether it's the original AC Delco. If it is, change it now. The old batteries are prone to leaking and the computers are under the battery tray. Swap it out before you have big problems. AC Delcos don't like being discharged.
The big question is whether it's the original AC Delco. If it is, change it now. The old batteries are prone to leaking and the computers are under the battery tray. Swap it out before you have big problems. AC Delcos don't like being discharged.
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
Not to throw a negative into the mix. Just being stated as a precaution. If the battery is dead and it's below freezing the acid in the cells are sulfated and have turned to frozen water (ice). If you try to charge a frozen battery it could explode causing a lot of problems and possible injury. I would suggest if you're not going to replace it please take the time to thaw it out (maybe in the basement) then take it to a battery retailer to have it checked out for warped plates ETC before you charge it. Frozen lead acid batteries can be dangerous when handled badly. Ask me how I know.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
If the battery is dead after 6 days even in the cold,, you need a new battery. I parked at the airport parking on business travel and never had an issue. Yours just propably doesn't retain the amperage to sustain over time given environmental and age. Jim
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis In
I don't know if a optima is the best. I DO know that you need a battery tender of some type. Go to wally world & get one that will keep a battery at full charge. You don't need an expensive one. When buying a battery, look for cold cranking amps. The higher=the better. There are only 3-4 manufactures who make batteries in the US. Optima is one but I have heard numerous people stating how they leak. That is a no-no on a C-5. since the computer sets right below the battery. (great design GM). Globe Union make most of the batteries you find at most wally worlds, sears, auto parts stores, ect. Delco make their own. Ford uses globe union along with Chrysler.(at least they did 12 years ago). Interstate is the only other manufacturer that I know of.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis In
Not to throw a negative into the mix. Just being stated as a precaution. If the battery is dead and it's below freezing the acid in the cells are sulfated and have turned to frozen water (ice). If you try to charge a frozen battery it could explode causing a lot of problems and possible injury. I would suggest if you're not going to replace it please take the time to thaw it out (maybe in the basement) then take it to a battery retailer to have it checked out for warped plates ETC before you charge it. Frozen lead acid batteries can be dangerous when handled badly. Ask me how I know.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,947
Likes: 24,704
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Battery Tender Plus is what I use - has worked perfectly for me.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
If you want the Best, here it is, hands down...
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...rycharger.html
We sell over 50 of these a month,
Instock and ready to rock...
Peace
Chip
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...rycharger.html
We sell over 50 of these a month,
Instock and ready to rock...
Peace
Chip
__________________
..................Click for
..................Click for
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Hershey PA
If you want the Best, here it is, hands down...
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...rycharger.html
We sell over 50 of these a month,
Instock and ready to rock...
Peace
Chip
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...rycharger.html
We sell over 50 of these a month,
Instock and ready to rock...
Peace
Chip
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Springfield Virginia
If you want to charge it quickly - get a charger. A tender will generate 1-2 amps dependent upon setting and EVENTUALLY recharge the battery. The most convenient place to find chargers and tenders is Wal Mart - for 10-15 bucks you can get a tender made by Black and Decker that works fine. I have two in AZ and one in new Hampshire where batteries are kept happy for 6 months at a time. You can also get a combination quick start and charger for under $50. I don't have one, but my neighbor does and its pretty slick. It has an internal battery that makes it portable for starting remotely and he carries it on trips. He worries too much IMO. If your battery is not too flat, you can plug his unit into the cigarette lighter and get a start. If too far down, then you need to lift the hood and use the clips. I think it also acts as a tender, but am not sure - need to read the label.
There are tenders available cheaper - Harbor Freight has some for under $10, but I seldom get there and do get to Wal Mart for my $4 prescriptions.
There are tenders available cheaper - Harbor Freight has some for under $10, but I seldom get there and do get to Wal Mart for my $4 prescriptions.
Do you know what the name of your friends charger/starter unit is or what brand. It sounds very versatile for many different situations. I'm currently having similar issues as my C5 sits outdoors and is mainly a weekend driver.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
DH
Springfield, Virginia
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Hershey PA
Dear Cole,
Do you know what the name of your friends charger/starter unit is or what brand. It sounds very versatile for many different situations. I'm currently having similar issues as my C5 sits outdoors and is mainly a weekend driver.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
DH
Springfield, Virginia
Do you know what the name of your friends charger/starter unit is or what brand. It sounds very versatile for many different situations. I'm currently having similar issues as my C5 sits outdoors and is mainly a weekend driver.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
DH
Springfield, Virginia