Battery/Battery Tender Preference for 2002 C5 Base
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
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Battery/Battery Tender Preference for 2002 C5 Base
Currently dealing with either a bad battery/bad alternator/parasitic draw on my 02, It dies within roughly 1-2 weeks of sitting or so. Going to take the battery out to be tested tomorrow, was wondering if there were any preferences on what battery lasts the longest/has the least problems since I might be replacing this one, even though it's only a little more than 1 year old. An old threat from 07/08 looked Evermaxx or AC Delco were the top preferences, wondering if that is still the status quo. Also likely getting a battery tender while I'm there & likely a multimeter if I can't find the one hiding somewhere. Any preferences on battery tenders? I'm new to the car & it looks like parasitic draw is relatively normal for C5s, so likely that's my problem but just checking all the boxes before I ask my dad for his help finding the parasitic draw(saw the yt videos etc pinned).
The small terminals on the side posts make it difficult to jump, though apparently I got the battery from the dealer with the posts loose, so I might have a bad battery from it dying more than a few times without noticing the loose connection, & a parasitic draw.
My fault for not checking I suppose, oh well!
Thank-you for any help/suggestions!
The small terminals on the side posts make it difficult to jump, though apparently I got the battery from the dealer with the posts loose, so I might have a bad battery from it dying more than a few times without noticing the loose connection, & a parasitic draw.
My fault for not checking I suppose, oh well!Thank-you for any help/suggestions!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,572
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From: Taildragers rule! USA1
Because the battery sits directly over the main computer.......The ONLY battery to consider is an AGM!
The Optima "Red Top" is by FAR the best.
From the people who invented "desulfidation", you want a BatteryMinder..(not a Battery Tender!!)....now on sale!!
https://www.northerntool.com/product...12117tc-167981
The Optima "Red Top" is by FAR the best.
From the people who invented "desulfidation", you want a BatteryMinder..(not a Battery Tender!!)....now on sale!!
https://www.northerntool.com/product...12117tc-167981
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 420
From: Taildragers rule! USA1
Lyle, in the above video, is usually right on. But not in this case.
A flooded battery is just ASKING for trouble. Search this forum and you will see the COSTLY results if they leak.
An AGM battery is just a few $$$ more and usually lasts YEARS longer.
You have to be a fool to install a flooded battery KNOWINGLY.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...se-a-mess.html
A flooded battery is just ASKING for trouble. Search this forum and you will see the COSTLY results if they leak.
An AGM battery is just a few $$$ more and usually lasts YEARS longer.
You have to be a fool to install a flooded battery KNOWINGLY.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...se-a-mess.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
I would avoid the Optimas, their QC has gone down since manufacturing moved to china.
Lyle's video posted above has great information.
I favor the CTek chargers - https://smartercharger.com/collectio...-chargers/?i=1
Some very early C5s had batteries that cracked and leaked onto the electrical box below but that hasn't been the case for many, many years. Unless your car is upside down no modern battery will be leaking and if your car is upside down you'll be totaling it anyway.
Lyle's video posted above has great information.
I favor the CTek chargers - https://smartercharger.com/collectio...-chargers/?i=1
Some very early C5s had batteries that cracked and leaked onto the electrical box below but that hasn't been the case for many, many years. Unless your car is upside down no modern battery will be leaking and if your car is upside down you'll be totaling it anyway.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 420
From: Taildragers rule! USA1
Flooded batteries are no better now than they ever were.
I've had MANY OPTIMA batteries......including the one I bought 6 months ago. It replaced a "red top" that was 10 years old, and still going strong. They are the best batteries made and always have been.
I've had MANY OPTIMA batteries......including the one I bought 6 months ago. It replaced a "red top" that was 10 years old, and still going strong. They are the best batteries made and always have been.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 550
Likes: 132
From: Texas
I would avoid the Optimas, their QC has gone down since manufacturing moved to china.
Lyle's video posted above has great information.
I favor the CTek chargers - https://smartercharger.com/collectio...-chargers/?i=1
Some very early C5s had batteries that cracked and leaked onto the electrical box below but that hasn't been the case for many, many years. Unless your car is upside down no modern battery will be leaking and if your car is upside down you'll be totaling it anyway.
Lyle's video posted above has great information.
I favor the CTek chargers - https://smartercharger.com/collectio...-chargers/?i=1
Some very early C5s had batteries that cracked and leaked onto the electrical box below but that hasn't been the case for many, many years. Unless your car is upside down no modern battery will be leaking and if your car is upside down you'll be totaling it anyway.
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Verdad Gallardo
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Cape Coral, Florida
Currently dealing with either a bad battery/bad alternator/parasitic draw on my 02, It dies within roughly 1-2 weeks of sitting or so. Going to take the battery out to be tested tomorrow, was wondering if there were any preferences on what battery lasts the longest/has the least problems since I might be replacing this one, even though it's only a little more than 1 year old. An old threat from 07/08 looked Evermaxx or AC Delco were the top preferences, wondering if that is still the status quo. Also likely getting a battery tender while I'm there & likely a multimeter if I can't find the one hiding somewhere. Any preferences on battery tenders? I'm new to the car & it looks like parasitic draw is relatively normal for C5s, so likely that's my problem but just checking all the boxes before I ask my dad for his help finding the parasitic draw(saw the yt videos etc pinned).
The small terminals on the side posts make it difficult to jump, though apparently I got the battery from the dealer with the posts loose, so I might have a bad battery from it dying more than a few times without noticing the loose connection, & a parasitic draw. My fault for not checking I suppose, oh well!
Thank-you for any help/suggestions!
The small terminals on the side posts make it difficult to jump, though apparently I got the battery from the dealer with the posts loose, so I might have a bad battery from it dying more than a few times without noticing the loose connection, & a parasitic draw.
My fault for not checking I suppose, oh well!Thank-you for any help/suggestions!
A parasitic draw is not normal so take your car to an auto electric shop and get it fixed…a battery tender is just a band aid.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
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