Battery Drain ???

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Oct 4, 2007 | 08:32 AM

kg54trains

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 925

Likes: 4

From: EXTON PA

Battery Drain ???

My car battery, Exide Cell, has to be the easiest to drain down. It will then charge and will quickly starts but it has been a pain to go to the portable jumper. The battery will stay charge when the car is run but as a example I replaced the headlight and fog lights with new bulbs and had the lights on the battery without the car running. Power was on tops 5 minutes and when I went to start the car Click Click Click. It did not lose power completely because all other power systems were ok, but it would not start and it need to be jumped/charged. I have read about battery savers that can be installed that cut off if the battery starts to drain pass a safe start level..Are these effective or just a gimick?

Oct 4, 2007 | 09:28 AM

0Doug@MorosoPerformance

Former Vendor

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 718

Likes: 1

From: Riviera Beach FL

These cars do have a reputation for draining down the battery, but not that fast. You should check your battery connections at the battery , ground, and starter then check your battery voltage using a volt meter. If you haven't, read the sticky at the top and do a search using battery, voltage, ect. I have used a battery saver on a boat and it worked ok, but unless you are not going to use the car for long periods you should not need one.

Oct 3, 2008 | 06:16 PM

B Taylor

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 228

Likes: 2

From: Phoenix AZ

St. Jude Donor '08

I also have this EXIDE cell battery and after 8 months got tired of the constant jump if not used for a few days. I took it back for a free warranty replacement. They said it was charged OK, but wouldn't pass the load test. I may start using a constant trickle charger, but I was warned not to exceed 2 amps on a dry cell battery cause it could ruin it. I have to admit I have put it on the charger at 6 amps to quick charge the battery. It would charge in 15 minutes, good enough to start the Vette. Maybe I did ruin it.

Oct 3, 2008 | 06:56 PM

TEXHAWK0

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 8,847

Likes: 795

From: Longview Texas

If they are like most batteries, once they are run completely down, they are never the same again. I would just get a Prefessional grade ACDelco battery and drive the car more.

Oct 4, 2008 | 12:13 AM

bestvettever

Pro

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 735

Likes: 7

From: Bucks County Pa

Battery Problem

Hi, if your battery will not stay charged enough to start the car with only 5 minutes lights drain, it is toast. Get a new Non AGM type which will tolerate less usage better than AGM. The best idea is to use a maintainer whenever you are not using the car for 3 days or more.
Good luck

Oct 4, 2008 | 01:33 AM

Bill Curlee

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 32,910

Likes: 2,402

From: Anthony TX

CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet

St. Jude Donor '08

Ive stated this dozens of times. Your C5 should be able to sit IDLE for weeks without the need for a jump or recharge. My 98 and 02 ZO6 have set for over a month and started normaly when driven again.

If your having these sort of starting issues:

Have the battery FULLY checked out by a repreable service center. Check for state of charge and cranking capacity. Then reserve capacity.

You also need to check the current draw of your car in the SLEEP MODE with an AMP Meter. It should be 20Ma or less. With a good battery and a properly operating BCM, (able to go into sleep mode ) your car should be trouble FREEEEEEE!

I have an interesting expirement going on right now. I am in GUAM for 34 days and my car is in a garage sitting back at home just waiting for me. My OPTIMA is 5 years old and we well see if it will start when I get back home!