Optima yellow top / winter storage?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 53
From: Central MN
Optima yellow top / winter storage?
Given all the horror stories out there about the GM stock battery, I recently replaced (and just in time, I might add) my battery with an Optima yellow top battery. Well, now it's time to put the C5 asleep till Easter. So, because the yellow top is a deep cycle battery, can I just leave the battery connected over the winter? Will the battery be dead come Easter bunny time? If the battery is dead and I recharge it, will there be any harm done?
Because my C5 is stored in an unattended garage over the winter, I'm reluctant to leave it on a battery tender (I don't think it's a good idea to leave something plugged in for long periods of time unattended.)
[Modified by 98-C5, 2:56 PM 11/20/2001]
Because my C5 is stored in an unattended garage over the winter, I'm reluctant to leave it on a battery tender (I don't think it's a good idea to leave something plugged in for long periods of time unattended.)
[Modified by 98-C5, 2:56 PM 11/20/2001]
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,302
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06
Re: Optima yellow top / winter storage? (98-C5)
98-C5,
When dealing with the Optima Yellow Top, you can discharge it and then discharge it as many times as you want without damaging it. It is a deep cycle heavy duty battery that is designed for that type of use.
If the battery dies, simply jump the car and drive it for at least 30 minutes. This will recharge the battery back up to 100% power.
If you want to disconnect the negative battery terminal so you don't come back to a dead battery, that is entirely up to your discretion.
Shawn
When dealing with the Optima Yellow Top, you can discharge it and then discharge it as many times as you want without damaging it. It is a deep cycle heavy duty battery that is designed for that type of use.
If the battery dies, simply jump the car and drive it for at least 30 minutes. This will recharge the battery back up to 100% power.
If you want to disconnect the negative battery terminal so you don't come back to a dead battery, that is entirely up to your discretion.
Shawn
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 53
From: Central MN
Re: Optima yellow top / winter storage? (L.A.P.D.)
Shawn.........Thanks for the info and the great deal on the yellow top.
I think I'll leave the battery connected and, if the battery is dead in the spring, I'll put a charger on it for a few minuets.
[Modified by 98-C5, 9:44 PM 11/20/2001]
I think I'll leave the battery connected and, if the battery is dead in the spring, I'll put a charger on it for a few minuets.
[Modified by 98-C5, 9:44 PM 11/20/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,770
Likes: 0
From: Novi MI
CI 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Vet
CI-X Auto-X Champ (street tires)
Cruise-In IX AutoX Winner
Re: Optima yellow top / winter storage? (98-C5)
I thought that I once heard that a discharged battery could be frozen. Could the freezing electrolyte split the battery? I do not know.
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: SE Michigan
Re: Optima yellow top / winter storage? (01Pewter)
your battery will be dead. there are many computer type modules that use small amounts of power (ie the radio uses ~1mA), so there is a continueal drain on the battery. check your owners manual for recommendations.
a dead battery can freeze and damage the cells.
so charge the battery every 2-3 weeks. or do what i do, when the roads are clear, and free from salt ... drive that baby ...
a dead battery can freeze and damage the cells.
so charge the battery every 2-3 weeks. or do what i do, when the roads are clear, and free from salt ... drive that baby ...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 2
From: Port Orange Florida
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Optima yellow top / winter storage? (PawlRevere2)
The Battery tender is intended to be used for long term storage. The Motorcycle guys use them all the time and I never heard of anyone ever having A problem. You can leave the battery on charge and not have to worry about it overcharging or damaging anything. I have also sold the tenders to people with boats that leave them on for 6 months at A time with no problems. Just make sure you get the regular Battery Tender,(NOT THE JUNIOR MODEL) and not A look alike. :) :) :) :) :) :)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis Minnesota
Re: Optima yellow top / winter storage? (98-C5)
When I bought my Optima yellow top, the protective clear wrap was dusty so it had been sitting on the shelf for some time. It was charged according to my digital multimeter, so I tried it and it started the car without further charging. I now just disconnect it in the winter and don't touch the car until driving it in the spring. Last winter the car started right up without charging. Make sure you know and write down the radio security code before disconnecting the battery.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,302
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06
Re: Optima yellow top / winter storage? (98-C5)
98-C5,
With Optima batteries, you don't have to worry about the cells freezing as they are designed for all climate conditions. With a conventional lead acid battery, you should be concerned, but Optima batteries are not your average lead acid battery. They are a non-spillable, non-corrosive gel cell.
Inside this unusual battery is a six-pack of SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY®. Traditional batteries have a stack of thick lead plates surrounded by acid. But OPTIMA® batteries feature two thin lead plates wound into a tight spiral cell, with an absorbent glass-mat in between to hold the electrolyte solution.This unique design allows for more power and increased energy, resulting in quick, reliable starts. OPTIMA batteries are the first and only batteries to feature SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY.
It'll last up to 3 times longer than other batteries.
It can sit unused 3 times longer than other batteries.
It is 15 times more resistant to vibration than other batteries.
It's nonspillable and can mount in almost any position.
It provides constant performance quality keeping your battery running at the same level even as it's being discharged.
Hope this helps!
Shawn
With Optima batteries, you don't have to worry about the cells freezing as they are designed for all climate conditions. With a conventional lead acid battery, you should be concerned, but Optima batteries are not your average lead acid battery. They are a non-spillable, non-corrosive gel cell.
Inside this unusual battery is a six-pack of SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY®. Traditional batteries have a stack of thick lead plates surrounded by acid. But OPTIMA® batteries feature two thin lead plates wound into a tight spiral cell, with an absorbent glass-mat in between to hold the electrolyte solution.This unique design allows for more power and increased energy, resulting in quick, reliable starts. OPTIMA batteries are the first and only batteries to feature SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY.
It'll last up to 3 times longer than other batteries.
It can sit unused 3 times longer than other batteries.
It is 15 times more resistant to vibration than other batteries.
It's nonspillable and can mount in almost any position.
It provides constant performance quality keeping your battery running at the same level even as it's being discharged.
Hope this helps!
Shawn
