Dead battery mayby
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Sarnia ON
Dead battery mayby
Went to start the car after a couple months of hibernation she turned over twice then died tried to charge with portable charger won,t take It is the original delco so I guess it is time to replace any recomendations?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
When you continuously let the battery drain and discharge, the plates within the battery get caoted with lead sulphate. this acts as an electrical insulaltor and prevents recharging. In this condition the battery is described as "sulphated"
When you get your new battery ensure you also buy a battery float charger Basically a 21st Century version of a trickle charger). When you intend to let the car sit for periods of longer than a month, make sure the battery float charger is connected to the battery.
Battery Tender is a popular brand in the U.S. I'm sure that Canadian Tire will have something equivalent...
Or drive over to Michigan, find the closest Harbor Freight and buy their no Corvette tax battery float charger for under $10. Stop by Duty free on the way back and you can buy yourself an adult beverage to celebrate after the installation.
When you get your new battery ensure you also buy a battery float charger Basically a 21st Century version of a trickle charger). When you intend to let the car sit for periods of longer than a month, make sure the battery float charger is connected to the battery.
Battery Tender is a popular brand in the U.S. I'm sure that Canadian Tire will have something equivalent...
Or drive over to Michigan, find the closest Harbor Freight and buy their no Corvette tax battery float charger for under $10. Stop by Duty free on the way back and you can buy yourself an adult beverage to celebrate after the installation.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Wow! You have the original battery in your 99???? By all means, replace it with the latest AC Delco Professional battery. It carries a 50-month free replacement warranty - best in the business. Also, its case has been redesigned and strengthened around the battery posts, so leakage is not likely at all.
I'm still running my OEM battery at almost 7 years of age - not as old as yours but certainly testimony to AC Delco.
I'm still running my OEM battery at almost 7 years of age - not as old as yours but certainly testimony to AC Delco.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,042
Likes: 24,727
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
I'm still on my 6 year old Optima Red Top - never a problem. Some have reported problems with this battery but I've been very happy with mine.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I would chose an AGM battery (several different brands available, including Sears Die-Hard, Exide Orbital, Optima) and buy a modern non-sulfating battery tender to keep the battery at it optimal performance. I use the CTEK that I bought from Chip (Willfullone) - I installed the ring terminals on the battery and I literally plug the car in when I'm not using it - even for a couple of days or so. My battery is now always at full charge.
These cars go through batteries fast, especially if the car is not driven daily or nearly every day. I live in the one of the harshest climates in the world for batteries (Desert Southwest) - and it's a real feat to get one to last more than two years.
These cars go through batteries fast, especially if the car is not driven daily or nearly every day. I live in the one of the harshest climates in the world for batteries (Desert Southwest) - and it's a real feat to get one to last more than two years.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Obviously, if his battery has lasted 9 years, he must be doing something right! Why change brands? Like runflats, AGM batteries are much more expensive than lead-acids. And like non-runflats, the chance that a modern lead acid will leak is miniscule. I hear that the Sears AGM is $180 - that's incredibly expensive!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thats good service from an OEM. After owning a leaking AC delco my advice would be to change it ASAP.
My choice would be an Optima Yellow Top which is designed for deep cycle but there are plenty of good batteries out there. I'd always go for an AGM battery for the peace of mind it gives you. One things for certain, an AGM wont leak whereas the old side post AC Delcos have ruined a number of cars on the Forum here. In any event its worth the extra few $$ investment for a Battery Tender.
My choice would be an Optima Yellow Top which is designed for deep cycle but there are plenty of good batteries out there. I'd always go for an AGM battery for the peace of mind it gives you. One things for certain, an AGM wont leak whereas the old side post AC Delcos have ruined a number of cars on the Forum here. In any event its worth the extra few $$ investment for a Battery Tender.
