Removing Battery For Storage
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 68
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From: Richmond BC
Removing Battery For Storage
Hey folks,
I have stored my C5 Z06 (20,011 miles) in a garage until April or May. Everything works fine; the car is a gem (thanks again, Rick!). I will only visit it two or three times in that period and am concerned about battery leakage, which is a real issue on this forum.
I want to insure against that possibility, ergo this question: Can I remove the battery and reinstall it in the spring without problems? If not, why?
Thanks for your input - I appreciate this forum and everyone who drops by.
I have stored my C5 Z06 (20,011 miles) in a garage until April or May. Everything works fine; the car is a gem (thanks again, Rick!). I will only visit it two or three times in that period and am concerned about battery leakage, which is a real issue on this forum.
I want to insure against that possibility, ergo this question: Can I remove the battery and reinstall it in the spring without problems? If not, why?
Thanks for your input - I appreciate this forum and everyone who drops by.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
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First question is what type of battery do you have. The original AC Delcos from 97 to 00 were the leakers. It was caused by a badly designed side post that allowed the lead to be overtightened causing the case to crack. Most of those batteries are out of circulation now.
If its a Red Top it wont leak but you need to disconnect it and ideally top it off every few months. If AGM batteries go flat they probably are toast. If you can leave it on a tender all will be well.
Any more recent lead acid battery will probably be fine but I'd disconnect for the Winter.
Dont forget to disable your security feature on your radio if its stock otherwise it will lock up when you reconnect.
If its a Red Top it wont leak but you need to disconnect it and ideally top it off every few months. If AGM batteries go flat they probably are toast. If you can leave it on a tender all will be well.
Any more recent lead acid battery will probably be fine but I'd disconnect for the Winter.
Dont forget to disable your security feature on your radio if its stock otherwise it will lock up when you reconnect.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
First question is what type of battery do you have. The original AC Delcos from 97 to 00 were the leakers. It was caused by a badly designed side post that allowed the lead to be overtightened causing the case to crack. Most of those batteries are out of circulation now.
If its a Red Top it wont leak but you need to disconnect it and ideally top it off every few months. If AGM batteries go flat they probably are toast. If you can leave it on a tender all will be well.
Any more recent lead acid battery will probably be fine but I'd disconnect for the Winter.
Dont forget to disable your security feature on your radio if its stock otherwise it will lock up when you reconnect.
If its a Red Top it wont leak but you need to disconnect it and ideally top it off every few months. If AGM batteries go flat they probably are toast. If you can leave it on a tender all will be well.
Any more recent lead acid battery will probably be fine but I'd disconnect for the Winter.
Dont forget to disable your security feature on your radio if its stock otherwise it will lock up when you reconnect.
And don't forget to place the battery on a couple of pieces of 2X4 or a thick rubber mat, like the one outside your front door. The battery will go dead if left on concrete or the ground.
Last edited by killain; Nov 28, 2009 at 01:31 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 560
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From: Centennial Colorado
"Many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery in it. Any moisture on the floor could cause the wood to swell and possibly fracture the glass, causing it to leak. Later came the introduction of the "hard rubber" cases, which were somewhat porous. A current could be conducted through this container, which had a high carbon content, if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advise of the old days to "not store batteries on concrete" has apparently been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies."
Just charge it periodically during storage, or put it on a trickle charger..
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,117
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
The battery will go dead if left anywhere for long enough....the concrete thing is only a myth, based on the way they were made decades ago...
"Many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery in it. Any moisture on the floor could cause the wood to swell and possibly fracture the glass, causing it to leak. Later came the introduction of the "hard rubber" cases, which were somewhat porous. A current could be conducted through this container, which had a high carbon content, if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advise of the old days to "not store batteries on concrete" has apparently been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies."
Just charge it periodically during storage, or put it on a trickle charger..
"Many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery in it. Any moisture on the floor could cause the wood to swell and possibly fracture the glass, causing it to leak. Later came the introduction of the "hard rubber" cases, which were somewhat porous. A current could be conducted through this container, which had a high carbon content, if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advise of the old days to "not store batteries on concrete" has apparently been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies."
Just charge it periodically during storage, or put it on a trickle charger..
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What type of battery do you have in the car? If you have something like an Optima Red Top and an electrical outlet available in the garage, buy a Battery Tender Plus and hook it up with the battery still in the car. Or just take the battery out and hook the Battery Tender to it. If you take the battery out and have the theft lock set on the radio, be sure you have the code to reset the radio or it will not work when you reinstall the battery.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,326
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From: Weatherford, TX
I use a battery disconnect on the negative side. Just give a twist to cut power and the battery stays strong for at least a month. I've never tried letting it go longer between startups. Search Amazon for "Side Post Battery Master Disconnect Switch", cost is 8.95. Also handy when you work on stuff, and takes 2 seconds to cut the power.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 435
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From: Northern New Mexico
A battery tender (not trickle charger) with the battery in the car and connected works well. The tender monitors the battery voltage and turns on and off according to the voltage reading. You could leave these plugged in all year without any issues if you wanted to. I have had many car and motorcycle batteries survive up to 6 years when using the tenders. I have 5 connected (1 on the Vert, 3 on the Harleys, and 1 on the Buell) as of Nov 1. On a nice day I will disconnect one or two and take them for a ride. The worst thing anyone can do is start the vehicle and let it idle and turn it back off.
IMO don't start the vehicle unless you intend to take it out for 20 miles or so to charge the battery.
My .02
IMO don't start the vehicle unless you intend to take it out for 20 miles or so to charge the battery.
My .02
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From: Arlington TX
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Drifting
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From: San Diego
Hi Kane,
You're welcome! Glad to hear it is still perfect.
I can't believe I randomly picked your thread to open. I haven't looked at the C5 forum for three or four months. I peek in today and came arcoss your post!
Happy Holidays!
..rickko..
You're welcome! Glad to hear it is still perfect.
I can't believe I randomly picked your thread to open. I haven't looked at the C5 forum for three or four months. I peek in today and came arcoss your post!
Happy Holidays!
..rickko..
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 87
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From: The Woodlands Texas
Why dont you just leave it in the car and drive it? Why do so many of you put your cars away for the winter??? Its not a classic or an antique and wont increase in value with age. It sounds silly whenever I hear about vette owners "putting their cars to bed for the winter". Dont these cars come with heat??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,308
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From: Kentwood MI
Why dont you just leave it in the car and drive it? Why do so many of you put your cars away for the winter??? Its not a classic or an antique and wont increase in value with age. It sounds silly whenever I hear about vette owners "putting their cars to bed for the winter". Dont these cars come with heat??
Looks like you're from Texas where you can drive year round. Come spend a few days here in Michigan and you'll understand why. Beside the snow and ice on the street there's the salt and other chemicals used to melt the ice that I don't want under my vette.
Plus vettes suck in the snow, that's why most people in the north have four wheel drives.
Consider yourself lucky, I'd love to move south.
