Battery drain question
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Springdale AR
Battery drain question
I have encountered a problem with the battery becoming too low to start my '04 vette. I charged the battery and it reads @12.5 v after the charge. I disconnected the neg cable and connected an amp meter between the cable and battery. It read 0.01 after a few minutes of everything going to sleep. My question is it just time to replace the 4 1/2 year old Delco or do I need to check anything further?
Thanks for your time and assistance. dchev
Thanks for your time and assistance. dchev
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Sounds like it, you might have some dead cells.
When you get a new battery, get a battery tender. Deltran makes some nice tenders.
When you get a new battery, get a battery tender. Deltran makes some nice tenders.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Not knowing what state you reside in, or if you maintain the battery on a float maintenance (low amp charge) type charger, or your driving habits...Corvette batteries are under constant power draw from a multitude of computers, alarm, memory features, etc.
In the state I reside in, 2-3 years is a lifetime for most oem batteries. I've seen oem and after market batteries last longer on a float maintenance charger (BATTERY TENDER by DELTRAN CORP or CTEK chargers).
I previously had an OPTIMA (my preference) last seven years while on a BATTERY TENDER PLUS (1.25 amp)...and the buyer of that car was still using the same battery and charger two years later.
In the state I reside in, 2-3 years is a lifetime for most oem batteries. I've seen oem and after market batteries last longer on a float maintenance charger (BATTERY TENDER by DELTRAN CORP or CTEK chargers).
I previously had an OPTIMA (my preference) last seven years while on a BATTERY TENDER PLUS (1.25 amp)...and the buyer of that car was still using the same battery and charger two years later.
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From: Alton Illinois
i have read on this forum that 35 ma should be the draw in sleep mode so your 100 ma (.01 a) is a little high but not outrageous. the draw of 100 ma could suck the power out of a weak battery. i think you have a weak battery and several have not had good luck with optima. i put in a auto zone gold when i had the same problem as you (replacing a 2 yr old optima) and my draw was 70-80 ma. i havent worried about tracking down the extra current draw as yet but the new battery is holding fine. no more problems!
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
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From: Upton MA
i have read on this forum that 35 ma should be the draw in sleep mode so your 100 ma (.01 a) is a little high but not outrageous. the draw of 100 ma could suck the power out of a weak battery. i think you have a weak battery and several have not had good luck with optima. i put in a auto zone gold when i had the same problem as you (replacing a 2 yr old optima) and my draw was 70-80 ma. i havent worried about tracking down the extra current draw as yet but the new battery is holding fine. no more problems!
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Alton Illinois
i vote for an 8 yr warranty auto zone gold ($70-80). optimas are designed for rugged use, off road etc. not street driven corvettes, imo. the gel cell allows you to run it in any position and even run upside down which is not a critical application in my vette. red top is a fancy name but in our application there are many considerable less expensive batteries. i had one and if you accidentally let it discharge, like i did, it will ruin the battery in a heart beat. not only that, but warranty is not valid wherever optimas are sold. only at the place you purchased it, so don't travel!
i am not an optima fan but it is just my opinion so keep the flames down
