vettedude521

I dont drive my 99 C5 often. If I let it sit for a week or 10 days, the battery drains. (almost dead) Took it to a local Chevy dealer who checked the system and said it is within normal limits. Does anyone else have an opinion? Thanks

540 vette

Make sure you keep the charge up. Mine did the same thing last winter and I am having column lock problems since then.

hotwheels57

It's very common on modern cars with so many memory functions to maintain. And every time your battery discharges, you're shortening the lifespan.

Make it a routine to keep your battery fully charged during periods of hibernation and non use, on a float maintenance charger. Most use BATTERY TENDER PLUS (by DELTRAN CORP) or the more high tech CTEK.

A float maintenance charger will only charge the battery until it's up to spec, then it goes into sleep mode. It won't harm your battery or car if you leave it on for months at a time. Mine stays on the car for six months of winter.

You can connect the charger with temporary alligator clips or more permanent ring terminals. A male/female connector easily disconnects the charger from the battery when you want to drive it.

bobby777

DITTO--I maintain my red top with a battery Tender Junior--works great and only 25.00

Patches

I use a battery tender for long periodsof not driving but had to do a current draw test recently when the wife's car started dying after only a couple of days.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...raw-issue.html

vettedude521

Thanks everyone. I've heard the same thing from Chevrolet regarding the battery tender, just was'nt sure about it draining in 10 days Thanks

timemender

10-days to a dead battery is excessive drain. Take Patches’ advice and find the excess power drain.

My (stock electrically) 2000 can sit six weeks without a tender and start unassisted. I've never had occasion to let it sit for a longer period of time as it's not a garage queen - at least since I've owned it. The six-week period was over the winter months.


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jovette

Same with my 2000 coupe..........it's sat for over two months and still started / ran fine.........AC Delco replacement battery nearly four years ago.

wcsinx

I know it sounds crazy, but be sure you didn't twist that interior dimmer **** all the way to the right (until it clicks). Even with everything off, with the switch in that position you induce a 300+mA draw which will kick your battery in the face with a golf shoe after a few days. I found that out the hard way!

BUT with the switch NOT in that position, I've left my '02 parked for as much as 40 days and she cranked right up.

Zer0vette

I don't drive my 2002 for 3-4 weeks at a time and it starts right up no problem, no battery tender or charging needed. i have an ac delco professional series battery in my car.

rebelheart

If you dont have an excessive draw,your battery is getting weak.How old is it?

waupachino

Just had to replace a year old Red Top doing the same thing. Once the Battery is weak, it will lose a charge faster.

capevettes

If you don't drive the car regularly and when you do you "short trip", the battery gets progressively weaker. It's better for the battery and the engine to be driven up to full operating temp by taking a run on the highway for 20 or 30 miles. When you bring it home, put it on a good battery tender like the C=Tek 3300.

If your battery has discharged completely more than once I would start with a new battery. AC Delco 7 year Professional is an excellent battery.

lucky131969

Bill Dearborn

I usually can go between 30 and 40 days without charging the battery. Longest time was one hard winter where I couldn't the car out of the garage for 2 months.

Bill

chaase

Mine would easily go a month w/o being started and it would start up without a problem. The battery is on its way out.