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Topic: Charging the battery

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Charging the battery

Posted: 5/7/10 7:44am Message 1 of 25
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Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
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Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
When I went to start my Vette a few weeks ago, after sitting for the winter, it wouldn't start. So I charged the battery.  Then I took it to the shop for inspection and left it there a couple weeks (not running). Went to pick it up, it wouldn't start.  Jumped it. Brought it home, put in on the charger.  I put it on a 10A charge till it got charged all the way, then knocked the charger down to 2A.  While in 2A mode, it would stop charging and the "Charge Complete" light would come on.  But every few minutes, the light would turn off, and it would charge again for a minute, then light came back on again and it stopped charging.  It continues to do this.  Is this normal for charging? Or is the battery draining while sitting there which causes the charger to kick on again?


-Adam Wartell
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Charging the battery

Posted: 5/7/10 8:33am Message 2 of 25
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Grand Blanc, MI - USA
Joined: 8/7/2002
Posts: 544
Vette(s): 1979, 350sb, as my kids affectionately call it "shit brown" Corvette purchased in 1996. 84,000+ miles. Not a show car, but I love her just the same.
Adam:
I'm not that knowledgeable when it comes to mechanics...but, I can offer a couple suggestions from experience.  The "wizards" of the forum will tell you more practical things to do.
 
If you have a Fluke meter I suggest that you check the voltage of the battery at full charge.  It should be about 14.1 volts or thereabouts.  Have someone start the car and still test the battery, you might see a drop at start up, but it should go back to the 14 volt range after it is running.  After running for a while, shut the car off and check voltage again.  If it is still 14 or above your battery is probably good.  If it has dropped below 14 then most likely the battery has a dead cell and needs to be replaced.
 
While the motor is running are you noticing a "glow" to the battery light on the dash?  If so, it could be the voltage regulator on your alternator is going bad.  This is a $6-10 part that can be changed out by you...yes, you...in 1-2 hours.  Ken Styer helped me with this and should be able to walk you through it again.  BTW - you will need FLAT toothpicks for this.
 
If it is not the battery or the regulator then you probably have a bad ground somewhere and the "wizards" will help you to track it down.
 
It's not much, but it's all I can offer you.  Hope you find the problem soon and get it resolved.



Charging the battery

Posted: 5/7/10 9:05am Message 3 of 25
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Holland Patent, NY - USA
Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421
Vette(s): #1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker
Boss you must have left a loose bolt on the carb!
 
Well I know your not guna like this but......since it dies when it is just sitting there......I think it may be a short, bad ground, stuck switch. You might not have needed a new battery. Was it acting up last year at all battery wise? We cranked the living crap out of that thing in Mystic.
Do you see any lights on in the interior, under hood, hear any solenoid or relay clicking. Did you fray or crimp any wires while working under the hood?
I'm sure you'll get some questions, but it may be where you worked on something last......and what did you do with that there extra wire that was lying on your carpet a while back?
And no you can not burn it! Remember he's watchin and this is just another test Wink
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Charging the battery

Posted: 5/7/10 9:40am Message 4 of 25
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
I got news for ya....I ain't NEVER seen a Corvette that wouldn't drain the battery if it sits for very long without a charger of some kind on it...even the new ones.
Depending on what kind of charger you actually have, it may be operating normally. If it's one the "floats" the charge, it will come on/off as needed to keep the battery a a full charge. Also, in my experience(and that of others), 2 amps on a steady charge will overcharge the battery. Most chargers that are designed for "storage" charging are less than 1 amp, usually .75 amp or so.
Have the battery tested and see how it comes thru, then go from there. If you don't have one, get a battery disconnect switch for the car. You'll be glad you did.



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Charging the battery

Posted: 5/7/10 10:16am Message 5 of 25
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
All above is true, but the battery going dead in a couple of weeks is too fast.  Either the battery is bad, or there is too much of a leak.  If the battery checks out, or if it holds a charge while disconnected, then connect an accurate digital ammeter and start pulling fuses, etc, until the drain disappears or at least goes way down.  Then work down that circuit until you find the drain.

Larry



Charging the battery

Posted: 6/16/10 12:21pm Message 6 of 25
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Marana, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/8/2010
Posts: 104
Vette(s): 1982 Silver Blue
If you do not have a digital meter a test light can be placed between the negative battery cable and the negative battery post. If the lamp lights you have something drawing current and it will kill the battery. If the lamp does not light then more than likely it is time for a new battery.
Make sure you have the dome light and any courtesy lights off so you do not get a false reading from the door being opened.



Charging the battery

Posted: 6/16/10 6:16pm Message 7 of 25
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SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3942
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed

Also, you might check the water level in the battery, if it is possible.... if it has removable caps... if it does not, then, disregard... :)  Reason saying this is that if you can check the level of the water(electrolyte) you can do a few things, one being to see if each cell has water, if it is low, then its been overcharged or if one cell is low, then it could be a good indicator of a bad cell... also, being able to access the water, you can use a hydrometer(any parts store should have them) to test the gravity of the 'water'... a fully charged battery usually reads around 1.1275-1.1300 sg(specific gravity) and it should read the same for all 6 cells,  if there is one cell that reads .0050 or more less than its probably a bad cell...  do take a little caution when using a hydrometer, dont let it drip on anything around, but dont be afraid of it either, its 65% water, 35% sulphuric acid, sooo it won't instantly dissolve I-beams or anything,  but.. painted surfaces beware ;)  and any cotton clothing...leather... nylon(makes it gooey)... etc..etc.. just keep some paper towels handy, and a box of Arm&Hammer ;)  

Also, the voltage on a fully charged battery on a voltmeter is 12.6 to 12.8 volts(after allowing the surface charge to disapate, so if you just took your battery off charge it may read higher, like 13-14 volts, but this is not the nominal voltage... your alternator should however be charging around the 14 volt mark... ).. and when putting a load on it, like starting a vehicle, the voltage should not really drop much below 10.5 volts... obviosly the higher the cold cranking rating the less that voltage drop will be(USUALLY)...  

Just a quick question,  how old is the battery? and what make/model is it?(reason asking is if its a JCI battery, there is a hot stamp code that can tell me(and you) the age of the battery/date of manufacture)... located on the top in one of the 4 corners, a 4 digit alpha-numeric code, i.e. C9RO...the first two letter/number represents the month and year C=April, 9=2009 (as long as you know its within 10 years, cause, they repeat the same alpha/numeric each decade, so, the 9 could be 1999... but you get the idea.. ) wow, i've rambled enough for a while..


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Charging the battery

Posted: 6/16/10 6:54pm Message 8 of 25
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HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
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Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Adam fixed the discharging issue - he sold his Vette!!Wacko


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Charging the battery

Posted: 6/16/10 7:09pm Message 9 of 25
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SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3942
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed
ohhhh yeah... he did sell it didn't he....  geesh,  been a long day at the warehouse, must have sweated out those particular brain cells that lent themselves to memmmm .. ummm.. forgot what i was going to say....


StingrayJim
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Charging the battery

Posted: 6/17/10 9:31am Message 10 of 25
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Manteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed
[QUOTE=stingrayjim]ohhhh yeah... he did sell it didn't he....  geesh,  been a long day at the warehouse, must have sweated out those particular brain cells that lent themselves to memmmm .. ummm.. forgot what i was going to say.... [/QUOTE]
 
Your in good company Jim  Confused  Handshake Rolling On The Floor Laughing.



in Forum: C3 Electrical


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