Battery Drain

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 27, 2001 | 02:41 PM

Vetteman98

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 20

Likes: 0

From: Sewell NJ

Battery Drain

My car is now sitting in the garage for the winter. I have decided to run it on nice days about every 2 weeks, however the battery is not lasting that long. I purchased a new battery but that wasn't the problem. I shut everything off (radio, radar, etc.) but still the battery drains. Anyone have similar problems or know where to start to check so that I can isolate the problem? :confused:

Dec 27, 2001 | 03:45 PM

JC in XTC5

Drifting

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 1,917

Likes: 3

From: Southern NH

Re: Battery Drain (Vetteman98)

Vetteman98:

It is fairly normal for a car battery to drain completely after sitting for about 3 weeks. After sitting about 1-2 weeks, my original Delco's eye would turn dark indicating it required charging. Even though the engine would still start OK, driving it for less than an hour wasn't enough to fully charge it. Even then, I find the C5 drains the battery faster than other cars probably due to the electronics. If you measure the voltage of the battery with a voltmeter, it should be over 13V when fully charged and about 11.2V when it's considered drained.

I've since purchased a Battery Tender (From Deltran). I got it at Pep Boys for about $50. It's not a typical charger, but rather intelligently maintains the proper float voltage after an initial charge cycle. It hooks right up to the battery and seems to work real well. You don't have to remove the battery from the car to use it.

:cheers:

Dec 27, 2001 | 03:47 PM

Racer

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 25,013

Likes: 79

From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo

Cruise-In III Veteran

St. Jude Donor '11

Re: Battery Drain (JC in XTC5)

I also got a battery tender this year. I was tired of my battery going dead during the winter storage. I got mine from Wall Mart. It is small and works great!

:yesnod:

Dec 27, 2001 | 03:53 PM

Racer

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 469

Likes: 0

From: KS

Re: Battery Drain (racer44)

Battery tender works great and solved my problem for the winter. :cheers:

Dec 27, 2001 | 10:24 PM

JHS5YDO

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 189

Likes: 0

From: Santa Fe, NM

Re: Battery Drain (Vetteman98)

"ditto" the Battery Tender; Sears has something similar for about $28 that is made to be permanently installed. I cut the terminals off & added small clips to attach it to the battery terminals so I could use it as a portable unit. Total cost about 30 bucks. I keep it on my "99" all the time; have been using it for 2 years, works great. :cheers:

Dec 28, 2001 | 11:43 AM

carpe dm

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 8,205

Likes: 40

From: Tucson AZ

Re: Battery Drain (Vetteman98)

Welcome to the forum and to the C5 battery drain discussion! Get a "Battery Tender" or equivalent gadget and hook it up for the duration. :smash: :)

Dec 28, 2001 | 11:50 AM

6699

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 130

Likes: 0

From: Sweden

Re: Battery Drain (Vetteman98)

Some owners have found that the lights in the glovecompartment was always on, after the door was closed. It needed a little adjustment.
Good luck!
:) :) :)
Mikael

Dec 28, 2001 | 07:10 PM

Vetish

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 151

Likes: 0

From: Wedowee AL

Re: Battery Drain (6699)

I purchased a small battery charger from Wal Mart for about $25 (Target has one with several attachments for about the same) and put a lighter plug on the end. All I have to do is plug it into the lighter and let it sit, no popping the hood or installing terminals, etc. Works like a champ. Just had my car out after over 3 weeks idle, fully charged.