C5 Covette battery

FIVE RED

CCCUK Member
Always used an Optima Red Top for my C5 seemed to hold its charge well .
I've got a 2002 C5 & use a battery tender on the car if left more than a week or so. C5's are well known for parasitic battery drain if not used for 2 or 3 weeks. My Optima Red Top has been on the car for 12 years without any issues.
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Does anybody know what battery i should get for a 2002 C5 Covette that will sittng for maybe 2 or 3 weeks at a time

Starting with the C5 GM added more electronics and computer controllers
They need voltage even when car is off to maintain functions that have saved memory settings
Because of that there is a small current drain when parked and even GM suggests using a battery tender/maintainer
and parked for multi weeks the battery could be discharged enough to prevent starting or what was stored in memory is lost
Too hot or cold weather will discharge the battery sooner so in my case I hardwired to battery 2 wires that go outside the C5 so no need to open/close the hood to hook a battery tender to

GM specs the C5 battery as 615 CCA, but you could choose one that is higher than that
It is a lead acid, flooded type and has side terminals
This though makes it very hard to connect a charger or tender and also if wanting to add other fused 12 volts circuits

I choose instead a GM ACdelco that has side and top posts


battery_side_and_top_termin.jpg

I then add terminals to the top posts for my needs

81YOg4Q7c8L._AC_SL1500_.jpg

.batteryGM.jpg
 
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I would only use an Optima Red Top (AGM Absorbent Glass Mat Battery) there are others from Tanya Batteries, with a CTEK MXS 5.0 T UK Battery Charger

This is a Gel Battery with no acid to leak on the engine computer (PCM/ECM) and critical wiring harnesses below the Battery tray.

I have just moved house and after 15 years’ service from my Optima Red Top Battery and CTEK MXS 5.0 T UK Battery Charger I noticed a white spot on my garage floor I was getting an acid type leak from the negative battery post and casing, very strange, it did take a very little patch of paint off the chassis.

I replaced the battery, and still keep the old battery fully charged to use for pumping up my car and bicycle tyres, the negative post still producers the odd small tear drop of fluid.

Michael.
 
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