Is this normal for a battery?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 0
From: Buford GA
Is this normal for a battery?
I am curious to know if my battery is going bad. This past Monday eve, I was installing a mod on my car that required me to turn on the lights, so I had the parking lights, headlights and foggies on for 25-30 minutes straight, but I did not turn on the engine.
My car got mad and the battery went dead. I brought a battery charger that had a jump start feature so I jump started it fine.
Last night, I installed my windows valet module and I was playing all the features on the valet module, which was maybe 20 minutes and my DIC reported "Low Voltage." I did not want to take any chance so I connected my trusty battery charger and set it to 10 amps and let it charge all night. This morning the car started fine, like its brand new.
But I wanted to get the CF's opinion. My C5 is a pleasure ride only, the last time I really drove my C5 was 2.5 weeks ago. I usually drive it twice a week, but the weather in GA has been uncooperative.
Thanks for any info! The CF rocks!
~~Eddie
My car got mad and the battery went dead. I brought a battery charger that had a jump start feature so I jump started it fine.
Last night, I installed my windows valet module and I was playing all the features on the valet module, which was maybe 20 minutes and my DIC reported "Low Voltage." I did not want to take any chance so I connected my trusty battery charger and set it to 10 amps and let it charge all night. This morning the car started fine, like its brand new.
But I wanted to get the CF's opinion. My C5 is a pleasure ride only, the last time I really drove my C5 was 2.5 weeks ago. I usually drive it twice a week, but the weather in GA has been uncooperative.
Thanks for any info! The CF rocks!
~~Eddie
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,466
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From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Is this normal for a battery? (edmaverik)
Yours could be getting weak.
Back in 00 my original battery only lasted 5 months. Since the dealer was not open on Sat., I purchased a Die Hard and received reimburstment.
Back in 00 my original battery only lasted 5 months. Since the dealer was not open on Sat., I purchased a Die Hard and received reimburstment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
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From: Waldorf MD
Re: Is this normal for a battery? (edmaverik)
Next time, whenever you have to have a significant load on the battery without the engine running, connect the charger !
Headlights and fogs for 30 minutes is quite a load.
Headlights and fogs for 30 minutes is quite a load.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,014
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From: Buford GA
Re: Is this normal for a battery? (Oldvetter)
Thanks, I will have to keep that in mind. I get too excited and don't realize that electricity is exiting and coming back to battery at times! I will keep everyone posted.
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Re: Is this normal for a battery? (edmaverik)
Sounds like a weak battery. Have it checked out and if needed, buy a new AGM battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,594
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Re: Is this normal for a battery? (edmaverik)
Probably due to lack of use. If the car sits alot you should get a good quality trickle charger to keep it fully charged. This will extend the life of your battery. When it's time to replace it though, I recommend the Optima Red Top, they don't leak and come with a 3 year full replacement guarantee.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 17
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From: Brooks Georgia
Re: Is this normal for a battery? (edmaverik)
Eddie,
For what it's worth I just had my battery replaced by Tom Jumper under warranty. I don't know if the load you placed on the battery was enough to stress it or if yours is an AGM (apparently the early '01's did not come with the AGM) but when my AGM went... it went fast. You probably should have it checked out.
If you do take it in to have it checked out, the procedure to check the AGM, apparently takes a few hours, so call ahead to see if it would be a good idea to leave the car. Also be sure that they replace it with an AGM.
Good luck!
Dan
For what it's worth I just had my battery replaced by Tom Jumper under warranty. I don't know if the load you placed on the battery was enough to stress it or if yours is an AGM (apparently the early '01's did not come with the AGM) but when my AGM went... it went fast. You probably should have it checked out.
If you do take it in to have it checked out, the procedure to check the AGM, apparently takes a few hours, so call ahead to see if it would be a good idea to leave the car. Also be sure that they replace it with an AGM.
Good luck!
Dan
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6
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From: Douglasville ga
Re: Is this normal for a battery? (edmaverik)
careful with charging the battery. 10amps over night is a lot. A completly dead battery should only be charged to about 125% of it's capacity. If the battery is say 50 amp/hours, then 6 or 7 hours would be the max at 10 amps
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Victor ny
Re: Is this normal for a battery? (edmaverik)
You probably started out with a fairly discharged battery if you have not been doing much driving. The computers use about .5 amps in sitting condition so the lights compounded the situation. Battery Tender in non use periods really keeps the battery ideally charged.