HELP

Don,

With a name like "ohmslaw", I would think you should have no problem with electrical stuff!
just meesin wid ya!

A '74 wiring diagram is on it's way to ya, via e-mail.

If you're sure the batt. is hot, then you definitely have a connection issue, either in the hot side, or the ground side. Check the ground cable as Tux suggested first, then the cable from the chassis to the engine, by the pass. side engine mount. Next, check the pos + cable at the starter...it can work itself loose sometimes.
If the batt. is going dead after a few days...welcome to Corvette-land! A batt. disconnect is the way to go, along with the Battery Tender Anthony suggests. Most of us have both on our cars...

What is a battery tender?  Is that what you all mean when you say trickle charge? Will a regular charger set at lowest setting, 2 amp I think, do the same thing? Mine goes dead too if not started too often.

A trickle charger is not the same...too many amps. You need something that puts out less than .75 amps, or it will damage the battery over time.
A Battery Tender is made for storage maintenance only. Most Corvette vendors sell them, but you can also find them at some auto parts houses. I got mine at a "Batteries Plus" store.
It will SLOW charge the batt. up to 12v, then keep it charged as needed, without boiling the electrolyte. A regular charger, or even a trickle charger will boil it if left on on the time. Battery Tenders are designed to be left on over long periods of time, without any damage.
Click on image for link


THE PROBLEM: You try to start your vehicle after it's been
              sitting for a few weeks or months, and your
              battery is completely dead.
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We offer 2 different version of this charger: #BBFC100 (12 volt) and #BBFC200 (6 volt).

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by providing a minimum current, regulated output. Other types of chargers provide
a strong, rapid charge that tend to boil out liquids and decay electrodes.

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This is the one I have...
ClickAdams' Apple2007-11-25 15:24:11

Thanks Joel for the very detailed explanation. First year with a Vette and storage time is here, so it's good to learn about this kind of stuff.

With a name like "ohmslaw", I would think you should have no problem with electrical stuff!
just meesin wid ya!

That is funny. I caught this too and wanted to comment on it but choose to wait and see if somebody else would post up some more "TECH" stuff. I might have know Uncle Jed would come through with both!

Either way it looks like your all set now!

I often find myself overcomplicating the troubleshooting process and not starting at the basics. I'm seriously not trying to be a smart ass, it's just that a I have some electronics background and a lot of times I forget to check the obvious things first. Like Tux said start with the battery and the charging system itself before you get too crazy with a probe.