Battery Tender Question
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Richmond Texas
Battery Tender Question
Here's another one of those "dumb newbie" questions:
I have heard of several vette owners using a battery tender...should I be doing the same thing? And if so, WHY? Is there something that is draining the battery when it is parked in the garage?
I just want to have the feeling that I can have it parked in my garage for a week or two, jump in it, turn the key and go...I dont want to worry that it might not turn on. Next to not having a vette, I think that hearing the "clicking" sound of a weak battery when trying to show it to your friends is the next worse thing.
I have heard of several vette owners using a battery tender...should I be doing the same thing? And if so, WHY? Is there something that is draining the battery when it is parked in the garage?
I just want to have the feeling that I can have it parked in my garage for a week or two, jump in it, turn the key and go...I dont want to worry that it might not turn on. Next to not having a vette, I think that hearing the "clicking" sound of a weak battery when trying to show it to your friends is the next worse thing.
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St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I think you answered your own question. The battery tender will keep a charge on your batttery so that over time it does not drain 100%.
I use a battery tender if the car is going to sit through the winter, but usually during the driving months I dont use it. That being said I will use it here and there if I notice that the battery is not fully charged (my battery tender tells % charged).
I use a battery tender if the car is going to sit through the winter, but usually during the driving months I dont use it. That being said I will use it here and there if I notice that the battery is not fully charged (my battery tender tells % charged).
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From: Richmond Texas
Thanks for your response! And yes, I am aware of what a battery tender does, but WHY do I have to use it for my vette? Of all the the vehicles I have had in the past (non-vettes), I have never had to put a battery tender on them.
I guess what I am asking is...is it just used as a precation? Or do vettes have the tendency to run the batteries low when they are parked?
I guess what I am asking is...is it just used as a precation? Or do vettes have the tendency to run the batteries low when they are parked?
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
I think you answered your own question. The battery tender will keep a charge on your batttery so that over time it does not drain 100%.
I use a battery tender if the car is going to sit through the winter, but usually during the driving months I dont use it. That being said I will use it here and there if I notice that the battery is not fully charged (my battery tender tells % charged).
I use a battery tender if the car is going to sit through the winter, but usually during the driving months I dont use it. That being said I will use it here and there if I notice that the battery is not fully charged (my battery tender tells % charged).
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Slower than a speeding bullet................ Fort Lauderdale, FL
Our batteries run down due to the electronics in the car.
The computer drains the battery while storing functions for radio and other settings.
Some have no problem within 2 weeks, but others do.
I plug in my tender after every drive (I only drive my Z06 about once a month), and when I turn the key, it cranks right up.
I know without the tender, it would not.
On the other hand, my '65 coupe can sit for over a month without a problem.
The computer drains the battery while storing functions for radio and other settings.
Some have no problem within 2 weeks, but others do.
I plug in my tender after every drive (I only drive my Z06 about once a month), and when I turn the key, it cranks right up.
I know without the tender, it would not.
On the other hand, my '65 coupe can sit for over a month without a problem.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Gadsden Alabama
Originally Posted by Lightgomez
Thanks for your response! And yes, I am aware of what a battery tender does, but WHY do I have to use it for my vette? Of all the the vehicles I have had in the past (non-vettes), I have never had to put a battery tender on them.
I guess what I am asking is...is it just used as a precation? Or do vettes have the tendency to run the batteries low when they are parked?
I guess what I am asking is...is it just used as a precation? Or do vettes have the tendency to run the batteries low when they are parked?
atilla...
Last edited by AtiLLa; Aug 22, 2006 at 09:50 AM.
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From: Richmond Texas
Thats what I needed to know! Thanks for explaining it for me!
Ok, next step...how much should I expect to pay for a battery tender?
Ok, next step...how much should I expect to pay for a battery tender?
Originally Posted by AtiLLa
I believe the answer you are looking for is no, its not just a vette thing but any car with alot of electronics and computers. The issue is that alot of vettes are not driven on a daily basis so there is more battery discharge between charges. This can shorten the life of the battery and can result in a battery too weak to crank the engine if the charge has gotten too low. Thus the battery tender keeps the battery charged and at top performance, which would be a benefit to any car not driven very often, not just the vette.
atilla...
atilla...
Safety Car
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From: Monticello MN
Originally Posted by Lightgomez
Thats what I needed to know! Thanks for explaining it for me!
Ok, next step...how much should I expect to pay for a battery tender?
Ok, next step...how much should I expect to pay for a battery tender?
Sears, or Fleet Farm, has them for about $25. Do not buy a trickle charger. Make sure it's a tender or maintainer.
Ed
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From: Richmond Texas
Will DO! And thanks to everyone for their help and info!
Originally Posted by C5XTASY
Sears, or Fleet Farm, has them for about $25. Do not buy a trickle charger. Make sure it's a tender or maintainer.
Ed
Ed
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Port Orange Florida
Cruise-In III Veteran
Don't get the JR.
Get the regular battery tender. It is a little more expensive but much safer then the Jr. model. You can leave the regular hooked up for up to a year. It will reset if the electric goes out. It is pretty much fail safe as the Jr. is not.
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From: Richmond Texas
Originally Posted by Flight Test
I bought the Deltran Battery Tender Plus many moons ago. Excellent little device, worth it if you don't drive your car much. 
I assume i can get that one at Sears as well?
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
The DELTRAN BATTERY TENDER JR. is .75 amp (which is fine for an OPTIMA). The DELTRAN BATTERY TENDER PLUS is 1.25 amp (also fine for an OPTIMA). They're fully automatic maintenance chargers to maintain a full battery charge. DELTRAN does have higher amp output chargers. They have up to 10 year warranties, which I think is outstanding.
The BATTERY TENDER JR. is a little less expensive than the BATTERY TENDER PLUS which is $59.95. You can usually find either model at a motorcycle shop.
The BATTERY TENDER JR. is a little less expensive than the BATTERY TENDER PLUS which is $59.95. You can usually find either model at a motorcycle shop.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Aug 22, 2006 at 11:32 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Arlington TX
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by Lightgomez
I assume i can get that one at Sears as well?
http://batterytender.com/dealers.php
If memory serves, bought mine from Batteries Plus.
Last edited by Flight Test; Aug 22, 2006 at 11:34 AM.
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From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
I had a C5 that went at least 3 weeks without a problem,
I did get a tender for winter storage. I purchased a Schumacher<S> for $16 at Wally world. No probelmo.
I did get a tender for winter storage. I purchased a Schumacher<S> for $16 at Wally world. No probelmo.
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From: Richmond Texas
Has anyone else had any experience with Schumacher?
Originally Posted by 6spdC6
I had a C5 that went at least 3 weeks without a problem,
I did get a tender for winter storage. I purchased a Schumacher<S> for $16 at Wally world. No probelmo.
I did get a tender for winter storage. I purchased a Schumacher<S> for $16 at Wally world. No probelmo.
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Yes, there are some small parasitic drains on the battery when the car is just sitting. If you have any extended periods of time that you will not be driving the car, best to hook it up to something like a Battery Tender. I have one and it keeps the battery fully charged.
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Yes, there are some small parasitic drains on the battery when the car is just sitting. If you have any extended periods of time that you will not be driving the car, best to hook it up to something like a Battery Tender. I have one and it keeps the battery fully charged.
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Yes, there are some small parasitic drains on the battery when the car is just sitting. If you have any extended periods of time that you will not be driving the car, best to hook it up to something like a Battery Tender. I have one and it keeps the battery fully charged.