Subject line pretty much says it. What's a battery charger that will work when you fire it up after it's been sitting for 6 months or a year later?

 

I have three CTEKs in use. I like them, they have logic to control their trickle and charge modes. CTEK is the charger you get if you order a C8 Corvette with the battery protector option. They are also standard equipment for some models of Porsche and Ferrari.

 

Thanks - I see Jay Leno believes in them or he did as of the 2015 video I just saw.

 

I've had to CTEKs and do like them...just got a new one last year for the C5. It may have been as early as C6 when CTEKs were provided with Corvettes. Also have a Battery Tender that preceded the CTEK and its still working...got a 78 on it. The CTEKs get good reviews. You may want to pop over to the C6-C8 and ask your question.
Hope this helps!

 

As mentioned above, i use a Ctek MSX 7.0 (7amp) which also has a AGM battery setting.

 

Use a 'smart' charger such as a Battery Tender or CTEK. Do not cheap out and buy a 'trickle' charger which can overcharge a battery over time.

 

What ever you do be sure that the charger you choose has the ability to taper the charge. I bought a battery tender that ended up boiling dry out a brand new $150 battery over the winter months. That was the last time I did that!

Now I pull my batteries for the winter months and keep them warm and charged so they are ready to play next spring. Battery maintenance is a forgotten art it seems anymore. I still clean the battery and the terminals and top off the electrolyte before putting it on my bench for the winter. In the spring I clean it and charge it completely after adding distilled water to replace any electrolyte used over the winter months. After the battery is installed I put battery grease over the terminals to keep oxygen out of the connection. If a FLA battery does not let you access the electrolyte then I won't buy them, being able to add distilled water will make the battery last longer. The manufacturers want to sell more batteries so they make it impossible to add water when needed, then you buy another battery.

I am using a $80 Four-Stage Battery Charger that does an awesome job getting the battery to a "full and complete" charge.

 

I just use a $10- battery disconnect. I've let the car sit for 6 months, reconnect battery, two pumps of the gas, a long crank and it starts up.

I have a few choices of charger if I need, and usually pull the battery and charge on the bench, but I would never leave a car unattended on any type of charger. It isn't worth cleaning up an acid spill, even once.

 

I've used Battery Tender's on my motorcycles, boats and classic car batteries for decades and never had an issue.
There are numerous models made for all different uses and battery types.
Just make sure you purchase the one that suites your needs, because it isn't one size fits all.

 

I’ve had two Battery Tender Juniors ($30) going for ten years without a problem. I leave a charging cord hanging out of the battery compartment, so all I have to do is reach behind the seat and hold it out the window when I close the door. In the garage it’s always plugged in.

 

If you ever touch a battery tender while charging, note they are warm to the touch. Which means even at "standby" its still running.
Having said that, I don't run mine 24 / 7. You don't need to. If your battery has any life to it, a short one hour charge will keep it maintained.

So rather than working the charger constantly, I bought a 48 position timer that plugs in a garage wall outlet. The 48 positions are half-hours per day, which is easily programable. The timer can be found at Walmart for about $8. (Its for turning a light on / off in a household)

 

I have a metal box roll around Schumaker charger that my Dad bought around 1994 or so......try to find one of these used somewhere LOL!

Jebby

 

[QUOTE=Bikespace;1604257948]I just use a $10- battery disconnect. I've let the car sit for 6 months, reconnect battery, two pumps of the gas, a long crank and it starts up. QUOTE)

I agree. For years I have stored Corvettes for six months and just used an inexpensive battery disconnect. In the spring, they start right up. To see if the battery has lost any charge, I hook up a manual 10 amp charger, and within one half hour, the amp meter reads 5 amps, indicating the battery is fully charged,

Since the C3’s have no modern era computers, I don’t see the need to keep the battery connected when not in use. I always disconnect the battery after every drive.

 

[QUOTE=mark79,80;1604262116]Yep….have a blade style on my own car…..5 seconds on and off….my clock works so it will drain slowly but surely….
On the same note….if it sits longer than two months….I drain the float bowls…..

Jebby

 

A NAPA 85-1250 have been my go to charger for many years.

 

You want a pulsing desulfication type charger. I couldn't find that in the CTEK write up. These a year ago were only 49.95. It's got the wiring for a plugin so you don't have to open the hood on a common car. I have a bunch of off road vehicles and cars.

 

Just found this CTEK and it is a pulsing desulfication type. So yes I would buy it!

 

I've been using this maintainer since 2015. My car sits usually 3 to 4 months. Works very well for me.
On sale now:https://smile.amazon.com/Clore-Autom...6037970&sr=8-8

 

An excellent point. I would not buy a charger without a desulfication setting. That has saved more batteris than I can count.

 

My CTEK failed after 2 seasons of use.... also if power goes out you have to reset them.Trying a Noco now with a desulfater...does not need resetting when power goes out....will see how long it lasts