Battery drain
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Va. Beach Va.
Battery drain
With all the talk about C6 battery "irregularities", I am involved in a study of my 08 C6 battery and a deep cycle battery. So far there has been no note worthy results to report. But as time goes on there could be some interesting findings. Bottom line it's too early to make any conclusive findings to report, but a daily log is maintained to report volts, % of charge, and tempature at the time of testing. I know there will be tons of questions, so bring them on. I think I have opened up a can of worms. HH
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
If you want to really make it interesting you might want to measure individual circuit drains. This tool makes it easy..
Plugs into individual fused circuits and measures the drain. Only $18
* Original fuse is replaced in-line during testing, thereby maintaining circuit protection.
* Makes circuit testing easier, FUSE BUDDY adapter end is shaped like a fuse.
* Ideal for electrical troubleshooting at the fuse box.
* Can be used to measure all circuit draws up to 20 Amps.
* Can even be used to test parasitic drains (battery drains).
* Measuring range is determined by your DMM - most DMM's have a 10 Amp or 20 Amp test range.
* Measuring Capability: 0 - 20 Amps / 48V DC or AC.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TTW411.html#1118
Plugs into individual fused circuits and measures the drain. Only $18
* Original fuse is replaced in-line during testing, thereby maintaining circuit protection.
* Makes circuit testing easier, FUSE BUDDY adapter end is shaped like a fuse.
* Ideal for electrical troubleshooting at the fuse box.
* Can be used to measure all circuit draws up to 20 Amps.
* Can even be used to test parasitic drains (battery drains).
* Measuring range is determined by your DMM - most DMM's have a 10 Amp or 20 Amp test range.
* Measuring Capability: 0 - 20 Amps / 48V DC or AC.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TTW411.html#1118
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,732
Likes: 34
From: Monument CO
With all the talk about C6 battery "irregularities", I am involved in a study of my 08 C6 battery and a deep cycle battery. So far there has been no note worthy results to report. But as time goes on there could be some interesting findings. Bottom line it's too early to make any conclusive findings to report, but a daily log is maintained to report volts, % of charge, and tempature at the time of testing. I know there will be tons of questions, so bring them on. I think I have opened up a can of worms. HH
I also have an 08 and am very interested in the results
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 1
From: Chester Springs PA
With all the talk about C6 battery "irregularities", I am involved in a study of my 08 C6 battery and a deep cycle battery. So far there has been no note worthy results to report. But as time goes on there could be some interesting findings. Bottom line it's too early to make any conclusive findings to report, but a daily log is maintained to report volts, % of charge, and tempature at the time of testing. I know there will be tons of questions, so bring them on. I think I have opened up a can of worms. HH
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Va. Beach Va.
The testing was started on 12-4. But on 12-21 I added a digital multimeter to the study, and not just an energy meter that was on a % scale of 1 to 100%. Also a meter that mesured % of charge was also used. It seems that just opening the door decreases the voltage by .12volts. But 2 minutes later the voltage has increased by .05 volts when tested again. As of 12-21 when the multimeter was started to be used the voltage was 12.66 volts. As of today the voltage is 12.43 volts. The car as not been driven.
The deep cycle battery on 12-21 had 12.67 volts, and today it's 12.62 volts. Do the math, thats only .05 volts difference for the deep cycle as compaired to the Vettes difference of .23 volts. But the car's door have been opened a number of times and the car started once on 12-22.
I can't at this time feel there is a real problem with battery drain.
Any other ideas?
The deep cycle battery on 12-21 had 12.67 volts, and today it's 12.62 volts. Do the math, thats only .05 volts difference for the deep cycle as compaired to the Vettes difference of .23 volts. But the car's door have been opened a number of times and the car started once on 12-22.
I can't at this time feel there is a real problem with battery drain.
Any other ideas?
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
yeah, try my perfect, new car, and let it sit w/o a tender for 27 days. it'll be dead, dead, dead. did I mention it won 't start or open the doors w/o the key? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
If you want to really make it interesting you might want to measure individual circuit drains. This tool makes it easy..
Plugs into individual fused circuits and measures the drain. Only $18
* Original fuse is replaced in-line during testing, thereby maintaining circuit protection.
* Makes circuit testing easier, FUSE BUDDY adapter end is shaped like a fuse.
* Ideal for electrical troubleshooting at the fuse box.
* Can be used to measure all circuit draws up to 20 Amps.
* Can even be used to test parasitic drains (battery drains).
* Measuring range is determined by your DMM - most DMM's have a 10 Amp or 20 Amp test range.
* Measuring Capability: 0 - 20 Amps / 48V DC or AC.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TTW411.html#1118
Plugs into individual fused circuits and measures the drain. Only $18
* Original fuse is replaced in-line during testing, thereby maintaining circuit protection.
* Makes circuit testing easier, FUSE BUDDY adapter end is shaped like a fuse.
* Ideal for electrical troubleshooting at the fuse box.
* Can be used to measure all circuit draws up to 20 Amps.
* Can even be used to test parasitic drains (battery drains).
* Measuring range is determined by your DMM - most DMM's have a 10 Amp or 20 Amp test range.
* Measuring Capability: 0 - 20 Amps / 48V DC or AC.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TTW411.html#1118
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 80
From: Florida
It's believed that a battery will loose from 1%- 2% of it's SOC (State of Charge) each day it's not in use. That is under normal circumstances/conditions. Now, add to the equation a power hungry, high tech car, with a lot of parasitic draws. I beleive it's safe to say under these conditions a battery can loose twice that amount = 2%-4%/day. Let the car sit, without a Tender, for 7 days and it can conceivably loose 28% of it's SOC. Let it sit for 14 days = 56%
I agree perhaps a larger, better battery will help with these DB case's. How well do our OEM batteries actually hold up to multi charge cycles? The DIC, or a digital multi meter, may show they are taking an adequate charge, but are they capable of holding it? More food for thought.
Thanks for taking the time and doing the research.
~AL~
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Va. Beach Va.
AL
I believe we have hit upon it. The OEM battery does loose about that 1% a day, but the SOC also decrease at about the same rate. The only positive factor is that the battery can be recharged many times without too much damage to the state of charge. Bottom line to the power drain to our electronic rich Vette is the battery tender for that longer than normal non use. IMO
HH
I believe we have hit upon it. The OEM battery does loose about that 1% a day, but the SOC also decrease at about the same rate. The only positive factor is that the battery can be recharged many times without too much damage to the state of charge. Bottom line to the power drain to our electronic rich Vette is the battery tender for that longer than normal non use. IMO
HH
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Hi Harry,
I agree perhaps a larger, better battery will help with these DB case's. How well do our OEM batteries actually hold up to multi charge cycles? The DIC, or a digital multi meter, may show they are taking an adequate charge, but are they capable of holding it? More food for thought.
Thanks for taking the time and doing the research.
~AL~
I agree perhaps a larger, better battery will help with these DB case's. How well do our OEM batteries actually hold up to multi charge cycles? The DIC, or a digital multi meter, may show they are taking an adequate charge, but are they capable of holding it? More food for thought.
Thanks for taking the time and doing the research.
~AL~
If you have more than a 45 to 50 milliamp key off draw, you have something on the bus staying on and the battery will go dead.
Batteries are allot like tires, they are heavily influenced by issues that have nothing to do with product. Optima's usually perform better because they can take the cycling better than the OE battery. Just to clarify, if the OE battery is treated the way GM intended it to be treated it is a fine product, but outside issues like BCM staying on, or OnStar keeping modules on, or just lack of driving, kill SLI batteries.
I have a Yellow Top Optima group 35 with a battery tender.
Oh ya, I have a team of battery engineers that work for me and we made 110M car batteries last year, so if you have a logical question, I can most likely get you an answer.
Last edited by timd38; Dec 27, 2007 at 06:35 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,732
Likes: 34
From: Monument CO
GM has changed the C6 battery three times since launch. It started with a group 86, went to a T5 in 06 and 07, then changed to group 85 in 08. the 85 and 86 are the same only the posts are reversed. GM has a very clearly defined test regiment that the battery has to pass before it is accepted for production use. The battery is not made to take repeated deep discharges and recharged because it is an SLI battery, not a deep cycle battery.
If you have more than a 45 to 50 milliamp key off draw, you have something on the bus staying on and the battery will go dead.
Batteries are allot like tires, they are heavily influenced by issues that have nothing to do with product. Optima's usually perform better because they can take the cycling better than the OE battery. Just to clarify, if the OE battery is treated the way GM intended it to be treated it is a fine product, but outside issues like BCM staying on, or OnStar keeping modules on, or just lack of driving, kill SLI batteries.
I have a Yellow Top Optima group 35 with a battery tender.
Oh ya, I have a team of battery engineers that work for me and we made 110M car batteries last year, so if you have a logical question, I can most likely get you an answer.
If you have more than a 45 to 50 milliamp key off draw, you have something on the bus staying on and the battery will go dead.
Batteries are allot like tires, they are heavily influenced by issues that have nothing to do with product. Optima's usually perform better because they can take the cycling better than the OE battery. Just to clarify, if the OE battery is treated the way GM intended it to be treated it is a fine product, but outside issues like BCM staying on, or OnStar keeping modules on, or just lack of driving, kill SLI batteries.
I have a Yellow Top Optima group 35 with a battery tender.
Oh ya, I have a team of battery engineers that work for me and we made 110M car batteries last year, so if you have a logical question, I can most likely get you an answer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Va. Beach Va.
GM has changed the C6 battery three times since launch. It started with a group 86, went to a T5 in 06 and 07, then changed to group 85 in 08. the 85 and 86 are the same only the posts are reversed. GM has a very clearly defined test regiment that the battery has to pass before it is accepted for production use. The battery is not made to take repeated deep discharges and recharged because it is an SLI battery, not a deep cycle battery.
If you have more than a 45 to 50 milliamp key off draw, you have something on the bus staying on and the battery will go dead.
Batteries are allot like tires, they are heavily influenced by issues that have nothing to do with product. Optima's usually perform better because they can take the cycling better than the OE battery. Just to clarify, if the OE battery is treated the way GM intended it to be treated it is a fine product, but outside issues like BCM staying on, or OnStar keeping modules on, or just lack of driving, kill SLI batteries.
I have a Yellow Top Optima group 35 with a battery tender.
Oh ya, I have a team of battery engineers that work for me and we made 110M car batteries last year, so if you have a logical question, I can most likely get you an answer.
If you have more than a 45 to 50 milliamp key off draw, you have something on the bus staying on and the battery will go dead.
Batteries are allot like tires, they are heavily influenced by issues that have nothing to do with product. Optima's usually perform better because they can take the cycling better than the OE battery. Just to clarify, if the OE battery is treated the way GM intended it to be treated it is a fine product, but outside issues like BCM staying on, or OnStar keeping modules on, or just lack of driving, kill SLI batteries.
I have a Yellow Top Optima group 35 with a battery tender.
Oh ya, I have a team of battery engineers that work for me and we made 110M car batteries last year, so if you have a logical question, I can most likely get you an answer.
Great info. What I learned so far to date: very little battery voltage loss during non use, the deep cycle in the non use state has almost no change in it's state of charge, maybe .01 loss in 6 to 7 days.
Let's face it, there are modgules on the car that are in the "standby" mode that have to be powered 24/7.
