Jeff T.

While researching the purchase of my Corvette I read allot about the need/usage of battery tenders.

During the summer I plan on driving the car weekly and assume a tender would not be something I need to worry about. Correct??

Tenders would certainly be used during the winter months when the car isn't driven.

Sound right?

Cybermind

Wrong. If you plan on driving your car only about once a week, I strongly recommended that you keep it plugged to some sort of battery tender. There are a multitude of electronic components in the C5 that can drain the battery in about a week (or less) depending on how healthy your battery is. Also, this practice will help to increase the battery's longevity.

Make sure you get a proper (microprocessor controlled) battery maintainer. The Ctek is considered probably one of the best by most forum members. Another piece of advice I can give you is avoid the cheap battery maintainers. They eventually fail and can fry your battery. Believe me, I know.

Chilliwack vettes

I've had my car out since March. Drove a fair amount on the highway in the beginning and recently more around town (shorter trips and not every day). Put in my HID fogs a few weeks ago & while working on that (about 1/2 hour with the parking lights on & occasional testing of the fogs), there wasn't enough charge in the battery to start the car. The instructions say to start your car before testing the fogs & now I know why! But I've had other cars where I've left parking lights or something on for half a day with no issues.

I don't know how old my battery is and that may be part of the issue. Bottom line is that every month or so, I'm going to throw a tender on overnight just to make sure.

Vetteman Jack

I would keep the car hooked to a battery tender if you only drive it once a week or so. Won't hurt anything and will ensure that your battery is in top shape when you do want to start the car.

Jeff T.

Thanks for the input. Looks like these are a little more delicate than I thought.

4 KRUSIN

I am a firm believer in the use of a float charger for periods when the car sits for extended periods. However, I don't consider 1 week to be an extended period. My Optima yellow top is 8 years old and still seems to be in great condition. The only time I use the charger in the summer months is if I go on vacation for a couple of weeks or more. It has sat many times for a week without it.

However, the use of a float charger cannot hurt the battery if you use it for shorter periods (like 1 week). I just consider it unnecessary.

andrec10

I drive mine once a week, and dont see the need for the CTEK to be hooked up. More than a week, then yes! I have a Interstate Battery BTW.

MSG C5

I live in Florida and my C5 is mostly a weekend driver. I plug my tender in when I don't plan to drive the car for a couple weeks or if I'm working on a mod that forces the car to sit for awhile. When living in Chicago, I used the tender during the winter months.

I usually check my battery voltage through the DIC when I drive it to make sure the power levels are acceptable after startup. I also tend to plug it in and make sure the battery is at full charge before any major shows where the hood light, trunk lights, etc. could be on for an extended period of time before auto shut off.

CorvetteJimZ06

I would keep it on the tender when you're not driving it. I have an old classic I rarely drive. Sometimes it sits for 7 months, and I've had it on a Battery Tender Plus 24/7 for five years with no problems.

calvins

I swear by these from my motorcycle days. You get both kinds of battery connections, clips and screw on eyelets. I have the eyelet connectors screwed onto the batteries of my generator, ZTR, and Vette. The connectors just stay there 24/7 If I know I'm not using the Vette for a week or more, it gets plugged in. My mower and generator are plugged in, period. Small price to pay for peace of mind.

Loby 1

+1 on the Battery Tender. Being a car and motorcycle junkie I have several of them and they have never failed me. Batteries are always ready when needed and they extend battery life.

Kind of like taking your vitamins every day.

ERDOC

+2
My GT350 has sat in the garage on blocks for two years, continuously on the Battery Tender. It still has its original battery in the trunk! I took it out for the first time yesterday after adding some Sea Foam to the gas and it started right up and drove great. I've used Battery Tenders for years and have never had a problem with them. I keep one on my boat battery at the harbor year round too.

c4cruiser

I have one of these and also one of the .

I have an electrical outlet in my garage ceiling for a garage door opener and the Junior is plugged in there. I routed the cable to the battery side of my C5 and I installed the connecting wire with the ring terminals to the car battery. When I want to connect the battery tender, I simply raise the hood and connect the cables. I can easily see the charging indicator on the unit. It takes just a few seconds to disconnect the cable when I want to drive my C5.

I can usually let my C5 sit for 2-3 weeks and it will still start easily, but I do notice that battery voltages stays around 14.1 to 14.4 for a longer period if I don't use the maintainer.

Cubman

My original battery lasted 11 yrs. always on the tender plus when not in use. I now have Die Hard Platinum with a larger reserve capacity but still use the tender plus. I plug it in at the center console. I should note it's a 5k mi, car. I would think jptgs1 your car with super low mi. was probally on some type of battery maintainer.?

GrandSportRob

I had a C5 for over 8 years, only drove it on weekends and never used a battery tender, always started right up. The C6 I now have I may use a tender since its way more electronic & battery draining than the C5 ever was.

Cubman

I believe the original AC Delco battery was 90 reserve capacity. 120 is now recommended reserve capacity.

Jeff T.

Tender ordered! Thanks for the help!

calvins

Cheap insurance.

Too bad you don't live closer, you could of used one of my spares.

Jeff T.

In Albany now!!

paid4c4

We have a 2003 vert 50th Anniversary with 8K and the original battery. It's lived on a battery tender from day one. On our 59 I got 13 years on the last battery. I'm sold on battery tenders.
Bill