C5 Z06 - Which Battery

[cs174]

Hi,

I need to get a new battery for a C5 Z06. Optima seems to be the battery of choice for most Vette owners. As the car is left undriven for long periods, is the Yellow Top or the Red Top the better option? Which model do I need?

Also, when changing the battery, will I need to re-set the alarm or do anything esle afterwards?

Thanks in advance.

cs174

[vetteheadracer]

Is the car garaged? If so I would recommend getting a trickle charger, if not fit a battery isolator so you can switch the battery off when the car is left unattended, just need to lock the car with the key!

Optima Red Top is what I have for the C5.

[C5RagTop]

cs174 said:

Also, when changing the battery, will I need to re-set the alarm or do anything esle afterwards?

Worry not - everything will work fine when you reconnect it.

[zapbrannigan]

C5RagTop said:

cs174 said:

Also, when changing the battery, will I need to re-set the alarm or do anything esle afterwards?

Worry not - everything will work fine when you reconnect it.

I intend to replace the battery soon on my C5 Z06. When I disconnect the original battery, will it cause the alarm to go off, and will I lose information stored in the DIC?

[V10 BAT]

No,it will be fine

[cs174]

vetteheadracer said:

Is the car garaged? If so I would recommend getting a trickle charger, if not fit a battery isolator so you can switch the battery off when the car is left unattended, just need to lock the car with the key!

Optima Red Top is what I have for the C5.

Thanks for that. The car is kept on the drive in front of the garage.

As the alarm & immobiliser be disabled if a battery isolator is fitted, I really don't want to go down that route.

Are there any terminals to connect the trickle charger to other than the battery?

Do I need the Red Top with the side terminals?

Sorry for all the dumb questions.

cs174

[vetteheadracer]

If you order a red top they do one with side post connectors can't remember the part number etc but if phone [phone] and ask one of the guys to read the model number off of my battery that will help.

[cs174]

Thanks mate, I think they only do one with the side terminals, the U-4,2L.

Thanks again,

cs174

[C5RagTop]

I use an Optima trickle charger - it has small clamps which I attach to the side terminals with everything still connected. Works fine - never had any resultant electrical issues.

By the way - the only dumb question is the one that is not asked. It's good to see this forum being used in this way so that we can help each other. Keep the questions coming.

There are a number of C5 topics discussed here - some battery issues are discussed on page 2
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewforum.php?f=84

Edited by C5RagTop on Friday 19th December 10:20

[cs174]

Thanks for all the info and advise. I pick up the Optima Red Top battery later today.

cs174

[mickcorvette580]

Hi I asked the same question a few months ago for a 2004 C5 2200 mile all orginal Euro Spec which I purchased new from Germany, the correct Red Top for my car was the RTS4.2 I was also advised to buy the Ctek 3600 battery tender which I did not do then, can some one please advise me, since I fitted my Red Top I have kept my car in my integral house garage which is quite warm but not heated before this it was garaged away from home, 9 weeks after fitting it I wanted to buy the Ctek 3600 and because I can not open the doors I went for the cigarette connection lead well worth the little extra £5.95 £50.54 in total from powersuppliesonline.co.uk
I know a little about cars but not much, I was asked if the cigarette lighter was an open circuit as a non smoker I had to check I went to open the door a little and even the interior lights would not come on, I do not know the drain on the battery but I would expect a new £146 battery to last more than 9 weeks I don't even know how long it lasted. I first had to recharge on an old charger before I could tell if the Corvette has an open circuit it does so I purchased the lead as well, am I correct in thinking it should last more than 9 weeks or will I need to find what is draining my new battery, thank you for any help.

[vetteheadracer]

Most modern cars will flatten a new battery within a couple of weeks if left unattended regardless of where they are kept.
If I am putting my car in the garage for more than a few days I always attach a trickle charger. I find the Halfords ones do the job just fine, they have a good long lead and all you need to do is attach the crocodile clips to the appropriate terminals, plug it it, switch it on (I have forgotten to do this a couple of times!!) and away you go.

[mickcorvette580]

Thank you Nigel for your reply I am still surprised, I am very happy with my Ctek 3600 battery tender very easy to use in my small garage.

[Dee Gee]

Batteries is one of my big bug bears with the C5. the early batetries either leaked or died prematurely depending on the year.

I posted this analysis a while ago on Corvette Forum. Some of it is OBE but it may be of interest and answers most of your questions.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1...

I had a Red Top that died on the way to UK and I replaced it with a Yellow Top. Even so I plug in my Accumate when the cars not going to be used for any length of time. The C5 eats batteries. I suspect most of the modern batteries are better designed and will work but with the computers under the tray I think it was worth the extra investment for an AGM type battery.

If you have a stock radio make sure you have the security code or disable the security feature before you disconnect. You can dial a 1-800 number to get your code as a back stop.

Edited by Dee Gee on Sunday 4th January 15:17

Edited by Dee Gee on Sunday 4th January 15:19

[mickcorvette580]

Thank you I think, (and I thought it was only a battery) I went for the Red Top because it was the gel type and should not leak I know not using a battery kills them, and 2200 miles in 4 3/4 years will do just that, but due to work my car is now garaged at home with a 240v mains supply so with the Ctek 3600 battery tender that should be the end of my problems, I had my 1980 first then the 2004 in a garage with out mains for nearly 20 years I forgot how many batteries I have killed, I must drive the Vette may be that will help, but I did as little milage in the 1980 as well thank you.

[songman3]

I've been using a Braille 2015c carbon fiber battery in my C6Z06 for the last few months - It performs very well indeed, and I'm sure it would perform well with the C5Z06

It is half the weight of the standard battery and much easier to work with.



My car has been outside these last few nights with temps here in region of the -5deg C, and the 2015c has had no problem starting the engine - amazing power or the size.

Has to be charged if I don't use the car for a week, so I leave it on trickle charge if I don't intend using the car for a while

Bought from EDO -- http://shop.edoperformance.co.uk/braille-carbon-fi...