i have been recovering from some very serious back surgery (performed on june 9) and "stored" my 04 CE vert since i drove it last on june 7. it's not a daily driver, so it got tucked away in it's usual space in the garage. i was finally "allowed" to maneuver myself into the driver's seat yesterday to try to start it up after it's reasonably long "sleep" fully expecting to find it incapable of still having enough cranking power to get it started, and already trying to figure out how i was going to be able to get the hood up (not supposed to lift anything over 5 lbs at this point, lol) and get a CTEK charger on it for a bit so i could try again eventually. to my surprise, it started like i had just driven it 15 minutes before. what a pleasant surprise!! the battery is far from a new one, and isn't anything in the way of a special one (i bought the car that way figuring to replace it with a red or yellow top whenever it became necessary). i figured there had to be enough of a small constant drain that would have taken place over the last 6 weeks or so to be a problem, but not even a hint of that!!

i guess you catch a break every once in a while, lol!! now if i could only get in it and drive it, lol!! have to wait a bit for that, but it's getting closer every day!

i know this isn't an earth shattering event, but i was so pleased i just wanted to share it with someone other than my wife.

thanks for listening!

 

My OEM battery, an AC Delco Professional, was 7 years old when I replaced it and it was STILL cranking! Needless-to-say, its replacement is another AC Delco Professional battery and I fully expect it to last just as long.

You learned firsthand why a non-AGM battery is the better type for long periods of inactivity. AGM batteries like the Redtop often need to be trickle-charged if they are not used, since they don't like not being fully charged at all times.

Good luck with your recovery!

 

It's only been a month.

I travel for work and regularly leave my car sitting as is with no charger or tender for two months at a time and it always fires right up.


Good luck with your medical situation.

 

I'll knock on wood but I never have any battery drain problems on my 04 either!

 

Good luck with that recuperation guy

It is a well known fact that just sitting in the vette has restorative powers, just look at any of our chronalogicaly older members, you can actualy see them looking younger over the years.

Not to mention the Hooters girls looking "perkier" after just standing next to one for a while.

 

Hope you're feeling better soon so you can get out and drive that vette.

Chuck

 

 

 

I know the feeling! On both

I had 3 years ago BACK surgery too, I ended up having a TOTAL DISC replacement in the L4-L5 Disc with an artificial one!

Man did I hate staying away from the Vette and I know the pain of getting around and wanting to do more - but take it easy and you'll be "BACK" at it in no time a feeling better, way better than before ( )!

Make sure you do the therapy so you will be able to drive the Vette comfortably and till it dies or you...... ANYWAY!

Get better and enjoy the recovery ( well as much as you can) Ohhhh! and a good idea even "IF" you feel good act like you don't and get one of the Vette catalogs and find something you've wanting and maybe the wife'll get you that sympathy part It's worth the try, it made me feel better

Thanks,Matt

 

Good to hear your recovering good. My vette sits for long periods of time 2 weeks, 3 weeks, sometimes 4 weeks. It starts up everytime

 

Please take your time in recovery. I had my third back surgery April 1. Don't rush it !

 

We all experience little miracles.

 

I had back surgery in June...and was just authorized to start driving by the dr. Dr has increased my lifting to 20 lbs so it does get better.
Also, Dr just prescribed PT which i start next week for 3-4 times a week for a couple months.

Yes, there are setbacks which can and do occur, but chin up man...it gets better.

You will be out smoking the ricers and 'stangs b4 you know it.

 

thanks to all for the wonderful comments and encouragement (and yes, sitting in and driving a corvette does do miraculous thing to you). i'm a bit over 65 and never feel like it (even in my current condition). just knowing i have 2 great vettes in the garage works miracles.

 

Good luck with the recovery Your vette is waiting patiently.