froggy47

I am going to measure that draw and with/without radio & post.



I had a optima blue top in my c4 lasted 10 years. IIRC it's between a starter and a marine type. Don't believe optima make one to fit my batt box.

Hib Halverson

Even with "some big stereo" why does any C6 need a 240A alternator. Even if you did have some device in the car that drew, say 120A, you'd need 4-ga or even 2-ga wire.

MTPZ06

170 amp is likely plenty for 99% of owners...but if there wasn't a market for it, it wouldn't be made. I could say, why does a C6Z need a built Katech LS7? Because someone wants it...

And yes, wiring upgrades can be anything from helpful to necessary. I like what these guys are doing... https://www.saccitycorvette.com/C6-Big3.html

SweetZO6

I bought my 2010 ZR1 4 years ago today with 9700 miles. 2nd owner with current mileage at 47,000. Replaced OE battery 2 days after I bought it with Optima AGM yellow top 700 CA battery. If I let the car set for 7 days, it may or may not start. Put a charger on it charging at 10 amps and would take 2 to 5 hours to fully charge. Normal charging voltage driving/idle is 13.6 to 13.7 volts per dash gauge. Just replaced the Optima with a D35 810 CA AGM AutoZone Duralast Platinum battery. Starter turns over faster and charging voltage is a solid 13.8 volts. No difference in car running or performance. Would like to replace alternator with Mechman 170 amp unit. However, Mechman makes units for all late model Corvettes except the C6 ZR1. I would gladly pay the $500 for the 170 amp unit if they have one to fit. Do any ZR1 owners have a Mechman alternator installed? Would you please provide the part number.

Ed

Apocolipse

I understand there is voltage loss / accuracy issues with the dash voltage gauge but 13s are not acceptable to fully charge a 12v battery. This is what I believe is the cause of early battery issues with our cars. Take a multimeter and see what the voltage is at the battery after the long positive run of wire - proper charge voltage is in the 14v+ range which stock does not deliver.

Bigjsn250

Just about every lead acid battery listed in this thread is just a re-labeled battery from either Johnson Control's (JCI), Exide or East Penn. Interstate is just a label on an Exide battery. I have seen the exact Exide battery 10-15 bucks cheaper than it's Interstate labeled twin. It gets even better when you look at lines of batteries, like Wal-Marts Ever-Start. The lower level Ever-Start might be made by Exide, the medium level by JCI and the top tier by East Penn.

It does improve when you get to AGM batteries because Odyssey and Optima actually manufacture their own batteries. I myself prefer Optima.

Battery Warranties are figured in the favor of battery manufacturers. Let's say you buy a 60-month warranty battery, and it lives 41 months. The warranty is pro-rated, so when taking the months used against the full retail price of the battery you end up paying about the same money as if you purchased the battery at the sale price. This makes the manufacturer happy.

One last note, a bad charger will do more harm than good and a good charger will extend the life of a battery. 80% of all battery failure is related to Sulfation build-up. This build-up occurs when the sulfur molecules in the electrolyte (battery acid) become so deeply discharged that they begin to coat the battery's lead plates. Before long the plates become so coated that the battery dies.

Moral of the story; if you do not DD your car, buy the best battery and charger you can afford and use the charger every time the car sits.

acroy

I had a Yellow Top in a previous vehicle. I never used a charger on that battery and it could sit for many weeks. Would crank noticeably slower but start everytime.

interested in what draw you are seeing!

froggy47

Just for a couple of data points, on my 2004 the dash meter always read high 13's and never had a problem with batteries/starting, this 2013 always reads low 14's to 14.4 and the trouble is as stated in the thread.

Go figure.

froggy47

Thanks good info & I hope we all know about relabel & the big 3. If not here it is, true. The relabels do decide which level of good battery (or low cost) they sell and put their name on.

Unreal

Not only that, but even on stock cars when hot voltage drops to mid/low 12s. With a mechman or other solid alternator it is a solid 14.4-14.6V no matter what.

ZRCLONE

The physical size of the battery is too small for all that's going on. My other C6 killed battery's constantly as my trip to work was not long enough to sufficiently charge it. I keep mine on a charger if the car is sitting for more than a couple day's, in a week it would be dead. The only option is a more expensive non lead acid battery with more capacity.

Z.06

I have owned my '08 Z06 for almost 11 years now. Picked it up at the Corvette Museum in April 2008. The OEM battery was still fine when I replaced it after 5.5 years of faultless service. I installed my Autozone Duralast Gold vented battery at that time and it still tests at 92% capacity. P.S. my alternator and starter are 100% original equipment. Not sure why people are whining about these.

Apocolipse

Congrats

SPDKLZ1

I picked up the Everstart Maxx T5 from Walmart a week ago. Johnson Controls stamp on the top of it. $119. The stock six year old battery is still going strong. I'm replacing it now to avoid any issues in the future.

Unreal

My grandmother smoked for 80 years. 2 packs a day. She lived well into her 90s. Not sure why people are whining about cigarettes or smoking.

Taking a one off story that is not indicative of the norm, is not the best way to present an argument.

froggy47

I believe you about summed it up. AZZhats at GM just barely put enough battery in it to work under ideal service conditions.

froggy47

I agree, if that guy thinks what I had to do on my starter issue is "whining" well he just one of those clueless keyboard mechanics.

Hib Halverson

Johnson Controls owns the Optima brand and makes their batteries.

TXGS507

I must be the "minority" here.. I bought my 08C6Z 2 yrs ago w 22K.. (stock).. Now @ 30K miles heavily modified and compression bumped my AC Delco/ Stock alternator are always @ 14 volts.. they "may" dip to the 13's but not too often. Not sure if if the PO changed the battery. That being said I can leave my car sitting for 2+ weeks w/o starting even in the winter in my garage, go out and she fires up every time. "knock on wood"... I do have a battery tender that I should perhaps throw on there. Getting ready to add a new stereo w amp and a single sub. May upgrade battery and alt @ the same time.

TXGS507

Is this the Alt you all are referring to....?
https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item...13969240M.html