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Topic: Battery, charging system, or something else?

in Forum: C3 Electrical

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Battery, charging system, or something else? (1/6)
9/13/12 1:31am

daveo76
Former Member
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Sorry multiple question posts tonight....

So my concern is a somewhat slow cranking speed in the morning and an unusually (or so it seems) high charging rate for quite a while after starting. The ammeter read +40 practically the whole way to work this morning. Same thing but a little less on the way home. And not much cranking is required to get this motor started these days. (That's a good thing, at least).

The battery is a little suspect. It was not a high end unit to begin with and it sat idle for two years (but a lot of time on a trickle charger). One of my two trickle chargers now refuses to charge it - the trouble light will come in. I have it hooked up to my other one right now and we'll see how it does tomorrow. I guess I'll get the battery checked out with a load test, but thought I'd see what you guys would say.

Thanks!

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1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

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Re: Battery, charging system, or something else? (2/6)
9/13/12 8:56am

Jaws79

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Sykesville, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops

Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4238

Sounds to me like the battery is getting close to the end . I would just get a new one (don't cheap out on this) and I bet you'll see a HUGE improvement!

Barry

(duplicate post deleted-aapple)

|UPDATED|9/13/2012 5:56:47 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: Battery, charging system, or something else? (3/6)
9/13/12 8:59am

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

The amp gauge shows the amperage going to the battery....if the battery is low, the alt will try to bring the charge back up as quickly as possible, thus the high amp reading. It's normal for the amp gauge to show high for a little while after starting, but not that long....
I'd also have to suspect the battery, or a connection somewhere that is not quite connecting.

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Joel Adams
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Re: Battery, charging system, or something else? (4/6)
9/13/12 8:56pm

Thanks Joel and Barry. I currently have one of those quick releases on the negative terminal - could that be a contributor to the problem? I took it off when I was trying to get the engine started for break-in, but re-installed it just cause it's so dang convenient.

Anyone have any luck with those quick releases? If so, which brand/model? Does it fit the battery compartment and existing cable routing OK?

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1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

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Re: Battery, charging system, or something else? (5/6)
9/13/12 10:41pm

Adams' Apple

I have the kind with the knob you twist to disconnect, and it is on the negative cable. Fits just fine for me. I have had this thing on the car almost from day one('97), and it has only failed once, but it was really more my fault than the switch. It had just gotten corroded so much it wouldn't make good contact. Once cleaned, it has been fine. I had a problem with the battery terminal leaking on a resto battery, and that was causing the corrosion on the switch. Other than that, they make really good anti-theft devices, as well as anti burn-to-the-ground-in-the-middle-of-the-night safety device..... Big smile

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Re: Battery, charging system, or something else? (6/6)
9/14/12 12:00pm

yostusota
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York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top

Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

I think most on here have a battery disconnect..the burn factor makes me keep using it all the time..it does sound like the battery may be getting weak..I put acid in mine in the spring and make sure it's at the proper Ph..it's 6 years old now and still kickin good..but if the plates are corroded or falling apart inside it may be time to replace if it tests bad. Do you have the stock alternator or is it a high output one?? Might be putting out more than 40 amps too.

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