Winter battery decision
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 82
From: Medicine Hat Alberta
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Winter battery decision
I have read many threads on winterization, but am still not sure what to do given my specific situation.
I will be storing my C5 offsite for the winter in an unheated garage. Winter here gets to minus 30 for days/weeks. I will probably only get to check on it about once per month. Should I take the battery out and store it at home nice and warm or should I hook up a battery tender? Is there any disadvantage to using the cigarrette lighter adaptor for the batter tender?
Thanks in advance for the advice!
I will be storing my C5 offsite for the winter in an unheated garage. Winter here gets to minus 30 for days/weeks. I will probably only get to check on it about once per month. Should I take the battery out and store it at home nice and warm or should I hook up a battery tender? Is there any disadvantage to using the cigarrette lighter adaptor for the batter tender?
Thanks in advance for the advice!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If its off the road and not going to be used I'd pull the battery and store it in a warmer place. Added security aswell. No ones going to move the car without the battery fitted without a flatbed.
The only reason I'd put it on a tender is if I planned to use the car occasionally.
Best of luck with the withdrawal symptoms.
The only reason I'd put it on a tender is if I planned to use the car occasionally.
Best of luck with the withdrawal symptoms.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,620
Likes: 24,867
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I'd probably go ahead and pull it. Won't hurt it to hook it to a battery tender. Hope the winter season goes by fast for you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
If a battery freezes, it's because the battery is flat. As the battery weakens, the sulphuric acid in the electrolyte enters the plates leaving just water in the electrolyte. The more discharged the battery, the more likely it is too freeze. A fully charged battery will not freeze in any of our climates.
Moral of the story? Put a float charger on the battery for the winter and forget about it!!
RonJ ...
Moral of the story? Put a float charger on the battery for the winter and forget about it!!
RonJ ...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 82
From: Medicine Hat Alberta
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Thanks
Thanks for all the replies - seems like people all do things differently, but all seem to work. The decision seems to be either pull it and put a tender on it, or keep it where it is and put a tender on it...
Regardless, I guess I'm going tender shopping today.
Still no snow - nice sunny day today, going to enjoy cruising...might be the last day this year!
- seems like people all do things differently, but all seem to work. The decision seems to be either pull it and put a tender on it, or keep it where it is and put a tender on it...Regardless, I guess I'm going tender shopping today.
Still no snow - nice sunny day today, going to enjoy cruising...might be the last day this year!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Mendota Heights MN
Gets equally cold here, and I also store my vette (and other cars) off-site. Disconnecting the batteries and leaving them in the vehicles has worked well for me. Simply re-connect the battery in the spring and start it -- never have had a battery-related issue in 39 years of vehicle storage.
Battery tenders are good products to be sure, but I for one question the need during winter storage -- particularly if your vehicle is unattended for several months.
JMHO
Battery tenders are good products to be sure, but I for one question the need during winter storage -- particularly if your vehicle is unattended for several months.
JMHO
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I just read an article that said that a typical battery loses 50% of its total charge in as little as 12 days of storage/non-use in modern electronics laden vehicles.
Disconnecting the battery and not using a float maintenance charger will probably reduce that %, but using one will all but eliminate any loss in peak power and sulfating of the battery.
Disconnecting the battery and not using a float maintenance charger will probably reduce that %, but using one will all but eliminate any loss in peak power and sulfating of the battery.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Mendota Heights MN
I don't dispute the value of a tender if the battery is connected -- without it, discharge in 2 weeks or so on a C5 is a given -- with the expected battery deterioration that you describe.
What I question, is the use of a tender during unattended storage, where a disconnected battery has proven to be an acceptable (perhaps preferrable) alternative. Without several years of experience on this subject, I wouldn't question the popular opinion on this forum.
What I am suggesting, is that if you are leaving your car completely unattended, a disconnected battery is equally effective. I also have peace of mind that an unmonitored tender problem -- although rare --will not be an issue. It can be argued that removing the battery and connecting to a tender is the better alternative -- but my experience has shown this to be an unnecceary process.
Just my .02 cents
What I question, is the use of a tender during unattended storage, where a disconnected battery has proven to be an acceptable (perhaps preferrable) alternative. Without several years of experience on this subject, I wouldn't question the popular opinion on this forum.
What I am suggesting, is that if you are leaving your car completely unattended, a disconnected battery is equally effective. I also have peace of mind that an unmonitored tender problem -- although rare --will not be an issue. It can be argued that removing the battery and connecting to a tender is the better alternative -- but my experience has shown this to be an unnecceary process.
Just my .02 cents
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 9
From: Montreal ** Enjoy the ride !!
Battery tender question
I see quite a few of you use that battery tender,, I was thinking of getting one ,, now that my car is in storage. How easy is it to connect it. Does any one have pics of what the wiring would look like ? .... Sorry don't mean to high jack the original post.. but it's on the same topic
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I see quite a few of you use that battery tender,, I was thinking of getting one ,, now that my car is in storage. How easy is it to connect it. Does any one have pics of what the wiring would look like ? .... Sorry don't mean to high jack the original post.. but it's on the same topic
Check out BATTERY TENDER by DELTRAN CORPORATION on the internet. You can also check out CTEK, a more "high tech" float maintenance charger from Europe.
I mounted my BATTERY TENDER PLUS (1.25 amp) to a post on my lift and routed the lead beneath the car...
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...6-27-07005.jpg
Last edited by hotwheels57; Nov 12, 2007 at 02:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 82
From: Medicine Hat Alberta
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
parked
Thats it - my baby is parked until the snow is gone. Very sad day.
BTW the battery is in and unhooked, no Battery tender....we'll see how things go in the spring.
BTW the battery is in and unhooked, no Battery tender....we'll see how things go in the spring.
