Ok, I'm an idiot. I put my Z into storage at the beginning of November. I didn't realize that when I parked it I left the console lid open. Of course this completely drained the battery. I discovered this about a month later and finally got it jump-started. I drove a while and parked it again. About a month later I went to get it out again (really nice warm day here ), but of course, no juice. Jumped it once again and drove probably 10-15 miles. So, I put it back in the garage. Now, jump forward to today. Went to take her for a spin. Yet of course the battery is drained. Jumped it one more time but then drove around 30 highway miles at around 70 mph and then for about 30 minutes in town. Think that will be enough to hold a charge for awhile or is my battery screwed? I hope it will hold a charge if I drive it a little more often for awhile. I think it's the original battery! Check out my sig for a pic, I'm not sure what battery they came with. And I really don't want to have to buy a new one.

 

if its the original battery you probably need a new one, my 96z is doing the same as yours now, it goes dead if i let it set for a week or so. and i have the original battery

jesse

 

I never had any problems before I left the damn console open. I was hoping I could just drive enough and get a good charge into the batt and be good-to-go. What was the stock battery anyway? Did you take a look at my sig pic? I think the one in there currently is a Delco or someting. I'll have to look again.

 

from what i can tell that pic looks like my battery AC DELCO

the stocker.

jesse

 

Cool. That's why I hope I can keep it charged. There's nothing like an 11 year old battery.

 

You might want to try and put a FULL charge on the battery before you just go and replace it. Just jumping the battery and then taking it for a drive does not charge it up. The alternators are really just used to keep the current charge where it is at or maybe add a 'little' juice to it. Put a battery charger on it til its full and then see how long it lasts you before it dies again. If it is still only a short period of time than ya you probably need to replace it. Also are you unhooking your battery as it sits for the winter and are you starting it up every now and then or just letting it sit and then hoping it turns over???

 

I take it out every once in awhile when it's fairly warm and all the salt and crap is off the streets. Maybe once a month. I think I'll just try charging the battery and see what happens.

 

i cant believe you guys still have your stock batteries!!! ive had to replace mine twice. and its a '97. what a piece of crap. some guys DO have all the luck!! damn.

 

Everytime you drain the battery,you lose some reserve.Unless its a deep cycle,of course.I would invest in a new one.

 

It's the console light. Just pulled mine out for once and for all. I use batteries from COSTCO at $37 big ones. It's that simple.

 

Everytime you drain the battery,you lose some reserve.Unless its a deep cycle,of course.I would invest in a new one

I just rid of mine long ago and put in an optima(great battery btw). I would put in the yellow top, but it is pricey though. You car is sitting for long periods of time deep cycle is the way to go. you also might want to invest in a battery tender charger. It will keep the bat at a fully charge and not damage it(over charge it(. This is something us motocycle guys use all the time.

 

something on these lines will do. You can find them at most auto part stores....Vendor: Auto Meter Products, Inc.
Product Line: Auto Meter Battery Extenders
Material: Aluminum
Finish: Silver

More than a charger, it's the Extender.

12 V, battery extender

This Battery Extender from Auto Meter charges a serviceable 12 V lead acid battery at a 1 amp rate until fully charged. To prevent over-charging, it then changes to a variable current maintenance mode, automatically applying up to 250 milliamps of current. This helps prevent premature battery failure by reducing sulfating. The Battery Extender includes two different quick disconnect lead sets--one set with ring terminals designed for permanent installation, and another set with traditional battery terminal clips

 

But will that offset the current drain of leaving my hood up with the little light on?

 

No, you can either unplug the light or close the hood(don't latch it) far enough so the light goes out.

 

mine doesnt have a light under the hood.....