Hey everyone.
I have a 1978 delta 88. I have a brand new battery 600 or 650 cci I can’t remember wich.
I got back to my car after letting it sit about a month or 2. And it’s dead. Any tips or recommendations maybe alternator? I have no accessories and it’s stock. Thanks

 

How often do you drive it? I had same problem, and I disconnect the battery, each time I'm done driving the car. I don't drive it to often, so not a problem. It did seem to help, I think the alternator was my problem.

 

A dead battery after two months sitting isn't necessarily a problem. I'd start with checking the charging system voltage and amperage output then load test the battery and check for parasitic electrical drains.

Is there ANY aftermarket equipment e.g., audio equipment added to the car?

Do you have a multi-tester/volt ohm meter?

Good luck!!!

 

Charge the battery, first. The rectifier bridge in the alternator can go bad and create a drain. To troubleshoot, unplug the 2 wire connector and recheck drain.
An easy way to check for draw is to put a test light in series with one of the cables. Pull the courtesy light fuse to eliminate the interior lights while the door is open. If it lights, there is a draw; start pulling fuses until the light goes out. Also, don't rule out the lighter element; they are a short when they go bad, most times. Leave it out.

 

Two things that come to mind are a clock, or a glovebox or trunk light. Maybe an electronic tuned radio memory.

My Custom Cruiser's quartz clock is the only draw on it. If the car isn't started regularly, in approximately a month it will draw the battery down enough that the car won't start. Since the car's off the road, but I still have to move it around to cut grass, I make a habit of charging that battery 1st weekend of every month.

If you have a battery charger you can try that. If you have enough drop cord and an outside electric plug you might also look into a battery maintainer. I keep one of those on my tractor. Stays connected to the battery at all times and it will charge a moderately discharged (10-11 volts) battery to full charge and then maintain it at 12-13 volts.

Take the battery to where you bought it and have them charge and load test it to make sure it's not a bad battery.

As always young'un- good luck.

 

Good advice.

Judging by what you recall of the CCA number, you have what's called a "wet" battery, meaning that if you remove the covers you can see a liquid level.

Wet batteries slowly self-discharge. And any time they are not fully charged, they "sulfate." To sulfate means that crystals of lead sulfate constantly build on the plates, which progressively reduces the battery capacity. So, regardless of when or if you find the battery draw, you should keep a smart charger attached whenever you're not driving the car.

For example, the CTEK MXS 5.0 smart charger is $80, which seems like a lot, given you have just bought a new battery. But a smart charger like this will double the life of any wet battery on a car that's intermittently used.

And good luck finding your draw!

 

^^^^^THIS!!!!! Sounds like you have a parasitic draw.

 

Charge the battery and then check for a drain on the battery. Two months is a long time. It may be normal to go low after sitting that long.