I haven't driven my Vette in over a month, so yesterday I decided with the sunny weather hanging on, I'd take her out for a spin. As feared, she didn't start because the battery had drained. This seems to happen if I let it sit for more than 2 weeks. Anyway, I charged it, and took her out today!

It was really nice being back behind the wheel of my Vette. It really is a great feeling I don't get driving any other car.

Of course, I was on the look-out for other Vettes on the road that I could give the ol' wave to. When I'm NOT driving my Vette, I always see other Vettes. But of course, when I AM driving it, there are none to be found.... finally, on my way home, I saw one... a C5... I waved... left hand out the window, full open palm. He either didn't wave back, or I couldn't see if he did because he was driving with the windows up and A/C on. Very disappointed, but not surprised, I carried on looking for another Vette to wave to. Shortly before arriving home, I spotted a Yellow C5 parked at a water ice stand. Being the only car in the lot, I figured the guy standing at the window ordering some water ice must be the owner, so I beeped my horn, he turned to look, I gave him a big full-arm wave out the driver's window and he returned the gesture. My theory is... if I have to force a wave back, I'm gonna! But, I did drive away feeling secure in the fact that even though I didn't know the guy, he saw me in my Vette and kept the brotherhood alive by returning a wave!

I know the feeling. I have only had mine out of the driveway 3 times. And propably should not have. But did not see another vette any of the three times. I see them on a regular basis in my Celebrity or MiniVan. Oh Well.

Finally got mine through safety inspection on Wednesday. Still have a few other items with replacing cooling system hoses today before any extended trips. Did see a few vettes and exchanged waves and man did it feel great driving with the tops off.

Adam, come by my way anytime and I'll wave.

--Eric

Adam, you can get a shut off valve or kill switch to attach to your battery. one kind screws apart, for about $5.00 at Advanced Auto, or a more expensive one for $23. that is a switch you lift. Much like the old ceramic electric switches that were in house main power boxes. We put on one Colleen's 78 because the battery was being drained too. The only drawback is you lose your clock time , if it works, and radio saved stations. Her battery drain came from the Clifford security alarm system which she had to have taken out. She had a new radio put in and it seems to drain the battery after a long time sitting like yours was. So we unhook the switch every time it is parked in the garage. Glad you finally got to enjoy your Vette and never had to sell it!

|UPDATED|9/5/2004 6:12:44 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Adam, if you have some time, get a amp meter. Many digital volt ohm meters also have an amp meter. Disconnect one side of the battery, and connect the amp meter in line. Make sure the doors are shut so the interior lights don't draw current. Measure the amperage draw. It should be under .2 amps. Anything over .5 amp can kill a battery overnight. You can get away with .3 if the car does not sit too long.

Start pulling fuses and disconnecting things one at a time until the power draw goes away. Then you can track the source of the draw. This draw is often the alternator. Disconnect the battery lead to the alternator and see if it cures the problem. If the alternator is the problem, you don't need to replace it. Just replace the diode bridge inside. If that the problem, let me know and I will tell you how to replace it.

shoot for a drain of no more than 25 milli amps or .025 amps ----my 70 has a drain of 13 milliamps at rest, it will go for several months and still start with no problem marty

I know what you mean Adam.. After a painfull summer of not being able to work on mine due to some unexpected surgeries, and watching and admirering those who were driving, I finslly got back on the road this weekend. Amazing, but I didn't see one vette of any year on the road at all so no waves were to be seen. Felt great to be back behing the wheel again!

"The Toy" never left the garage all weekend, even though 2 of the 3 days were weather-perfect...!!!

Spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel in the other two family fleet vehicles and did see quite a few Vettes out and about, but you don't get a wave returned to a Subaru Outback or an F-150!

|UPDATED|9/7/2004 10:21:16 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|