Z06 battery flat!!!
Discussion
I think I must have left a light on post removal of ignition key>
What is the preferred method of re-charge?
Battery in situ, or out of car.
I started charging in-situ, but warning alarm related (I assume) bonnet light was flashing like buggery, so I removed the battery for charging, and then had to find suitable thread pattern bolts that would thread in the sides.
Any issues following re-charge and installation (alarms, radio etc).
And yes it is a "wet" AC Delco and hasent the "P" prefix, but it may well be "P"ed on soon if it doesent maintain its charge.It was a new battery 2 yrs ago, but the owner only put 300 miles on the car in 2 yrs (difficult when you are a Harrier pilot in Iraque.)
Ah well, I had better find an Optima red top, although I believe that the yellow may have a higher cranking amperage and is the same size.
I will probably have to get one Monday (Bridgend ?) so I can use the car Tuesday next.
What is the preferred method of re-charge?
Battery in situ, or out of car.
I started charging in-situ, but warning alarm related (I assume) bonnet light was flashing like buggery, so I removed the battery for charging, and then had to find suitable thread pattern bolts that would thread in the sides.
Any issues following re-charge and installation (alarms, radio etc).
And yes it is a "wet" AC Delco and hasent the "P" prefix, but it may well be "P"ed on soon if it doesent maintain its charge.It was a new battery 2 yrs ago, but the owner only put 300 miles on the car in 2 yrs (difficult when you are a Harrier pilot in Iraque.)
Ah well, I had better find an Optima red top, although I believe that the yellow may have a higher cranking amperage and is the same size.
I will probably have to get one Monday (Bridgend ?) so I can use the car Tuesday next.
I used an Accuguard battery conditioner which charges safely and maintains the battery. I did notice witht the Z06 that it was a little prone to battery discharge anyway in that the Accuguard always had to charge it slightly. Your bonnet light shouldn't flash at all so maybe that's the problem. Is it going out?
owenemyr said:
I think I must have left a light on post removal of ignition key....
I doubt that's the problem. These cars have a system which shuts off any lights and radio after about 15 minutes if accidentally left on. Some years ago many C5s had to have their batteries replaced under warranty.
I am begining to show the signs of Alzheimers. There are three cardinal signs, the first is short term memory loss, and I just cant remember what the other two signs are!
The place in Tredegar for Optima red/yellow tops is:
Foundry 4X4 ltd, 01495 717131/725544.
If truth be known, they may well be getting them from Supac in Bridegend.
Am I right in thinking that for the C5, the redtop has to have a base height expander?
The place in Tredegar for Optima red/yellow tops is:
Foundry 4X4 ltd, 01495 717131/725544.
If truth be known, they may well be getting them from Supac in Bridegend.
Am I right in thinking that for the C5, the redtop has to have a base height expander?
owenemyr said:
Lots of comments on various sites relating to optima, with a mixed response towards the redtop (failure rate etc)
Interesting - is this a common problem with red tops then? I got an Optima Red Top about 12 months ago and each time the cars been in for any work it's always caused problems. Ended up both times getting replacement batteries put in to save jumping the car every few day. Thought it might just have been unlucky but is this quite common?
I was speaking to the Optima reps at the NEC recently as I wanted to replace the batery on the Z06. I initially went for the Yellow Top but in truth the only reason was that it was yellow!!! After analysing their claimed data, the Red Top is a better bet for a normal car as it performs better. The yellow top is really designed for accessories which may need a lot of power.
In the end I got an Exide Gel filled battery.
In the end I got an Exide Gel filled battery.
There is a comment somewhere from an US optima dealer advising Redtop when the car experiences regular use, but that yellowtop's were better if the car was only for occasional (weekend) use.The yellowtops being better able to handle the low constant drain associated with security electronics during extended periods of non-use.
I think now that the battery getting flat on my Z06 was due to its extended periods of parking/non-use (about 6wks)after pick-up at Southampton, coupled to another previous extended period of non-use related to shipping etc having been delivered to the dockside at Charlston Nov3, and not picked up in Southampton until Dec 11 (delayed sailing,bad weather etc.)
It has since charged up, but one awaits to see how it retains its charge.
I think now that the battery getting flat on my Z06 was due to its extended periods of parking/non-use (about 6wks)after pick-up at Southampton, coupled to another previous extended period of non-use related to shipping etc having been delivered to the dockside at Charlston Nov3, and not picked up in Southampton until Dec 11 (delayed sailing,bad weather etc.)
It has since charged up, but one awaits to see how it retains its charge.
Take a look at this poll I posted on the Corvette Forum. Lots of comments here.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showt
My experience is AC Delcos are dangerous, particularly the older ones. Leaks on the PCM are bad.
My Red Top died after 2 months on the boat in transit. Not unreasonable given the drain the C5 imposes. I now have aYellow Top which is supposedly better for deep cycle; in other owords heavy drain. Mines now a weekend car so I have an accumate to keep it topped up.
The Harriers are in Afghanistan by the way.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showt
My experience is AC Delcos are dangerous, particularly the older ones. Leaks on the PCM are bad.
My Red Top died after 2 months on the boat in transit. Not unreasonable given the drain the C5 imposes. I now have aYellow Top which is supposedly better for deep cycle; in other owords heavy drain. Mines now a weekend car so I have an accumate to keep it topped up.
The Harriers are in Afghanistan by the way.
Edited by Dee Gee on Tuesday 6th February 21:00
Edited by Dee Gee on Tuesday 6th February 21:02
Edited by Dee Gee on Tuesday 6th February 21:03
Continuation of the redtop/yellowtop saga.
"Steve" of Foundry 4X4 actually pursued the issue with optima UK on my behalf.
For daily use, the redtop 4.2 optima with 815 cca is appropriate, but for only weekend use etc, the equivalent yellowtop 4.2 is advised, but has a lower cca but better drain response.(they both have the same amps/hr)
So there you are!!.
Incidentaly, there is a "new gel filled boy" on the block called Odessy 1500 with a higher cca and the same drain response as yellowtops, but has a weight of 24 kgms, and is somewhat physically larger.(there are smaller units).
All donations gratefully accepted to the "Druidstone trust"
"Steve" of Foundry 4X4 actually pursued the issue with optima UK on my behalf.
For daily use, the redtop 4.2 optima with 815 cca is appropriate, but for only weekend use etc, the equivalent yellowtop 4.2 is advised, but has a lower cca but better drain response.(they both have the same amps/hr)
So there you are!!.
Incidentaly, there is a "new gel filled boy" on the block called Odessy 1500 with a higher cca and the same drain response as yellowtops, but has a weight of 24 kgms, and is somewhat physically larger.(there are smaller units).
All donations gratefully accepted to the "Druidstone trust"
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