[Z06] Battery tender
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 112
Likes: 3
My Z06 is not driving for 2 to 3 weeks at a time. So far the battery is holding up just fine. It an 04. Since the battery is coming up on 4 years old I just bought the Battery Tender plus. Haven't used it on the Z06, but it does work great on my Trans Am.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: VIR (Danville) Va
Because of the help from many here, I now have a battery tender and it so far seems to be a perfect addition for a rarely driven vehicle.
Thanks guys!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
My 03 Z has the original battery in it and it frequently sits for 2-4 weeks at a time and always starts. Its never been on a tender either. I was looking at new batteries yesterday, but figure what the heck im just gonna see how long it actually lasts.
Last edited by briann510; Feb 28, 2008 at 09:02 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Mine sits 6 months at a time in the winter. Otherwise I wouldn't use one either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 925
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, NV
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 48
From: NJ
got a battery tender 6 yrs ago....always leave it plugged in.....use my '04 ZO6 2-3x per wk....Optima Red Top is 4yrs 8months old....just died yesterday! instant death....car was fine 2 days ago. so i look at it like this.....the tender extended the Optima's life.....or it made no difference at all!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Protecting the sheep in northern MN
Just received a CTEK 3300. A little more spendy but why not the best for my Z. $50 bucks at tooloutfitters.
http://www.tooloutfitters.net/multi-...y-charger.html
http://www.tooloutfitters.net/multi-...y-charger.html
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Bethpage New York
BATTERY TENDER PLUS
http://www.batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11_2
THERE'S A VIDEO IN LEFT CORNER OF SITE ( MY CLASSIC CAR )
http://www.batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11_2
THERE'S A VIDEO IN LEFT CORNER OF SITE ( MY CLASSIC CAR )
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
... You've hit the point I was going to make. If you use an Optima battery or similar, you want to use the Battery Tender PLUS model that puts out the higher charge current. The glass mat batteries require that kind of current to achieve a full charge.There have been a few threads about this issue, and the need for the right charger for an Optima or similar battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 48
From: NJ
sheet that came with my new optima say that if u use a batt maintainer, it should be rated @ 13.2-13.8 volts & 1amp max. batt tender plus is 12v & 1.25 amps. wonder if it makes a difference??
... You've hit the point I was going to make. If you use an Optima battery or similar, you want to use the Battery Tender PLUS model that puts out the higher charge current. The glass mat batteries require that kind of current to achieve a full charge.
There have been a few threads about this issue, and the need for the right charger for an Optima or similar battery.
... You've hit the point I was going to make. If you use an Optima battery or similar, you want to use the Battery Tender PLUS model that puts out the higher charge current. The glass mat batteries require that kind of current to achieve a full charge.There have been a few threads about this issue, and the need for the right charger for an Optima or similar battery.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Many members here use the JR. with success. It's only when the battery begins to severely deteriorate that the JR. may not be as good.
I've used the BATTERY TENDER PLUS on my cars since '95 with each car that sits for prolonged periods having OPTIMA batteries. Not one battery has failed. When the current BATTERY TENDER PLUS fails, I might look into the CTEK which is a little more advanced technology.
I leave mine plugged in all the time through a quality surge protector. You're defeating the purpose of the float maintenance charger by disconnecting it when the battery is fully charged.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jan 18, 2009 at 01:49 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 0
From: Oil Country
My battery tender plus started smoking the first time I plugged it in so I decided to get a CTEK instead. We now have 4 CTEK 3300's in use in the garage with zero issues. I think I got a "dud" from Deltran as I've heard very positive feedback regarding the Deltran Battery Tender.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
I posed the same question to both OPTIMA and DELTRAN CORP. which makes the BATTERY TENDER PLUS several years ago. Both said the .25amp will not make a difference. They said if an owner fears it will...(DIY "engineer" types), you can use the BATTERY TENDER JR. which puts out only .75amp. The possible issue with that is that it will not put out the optimum 1 amp and will take longer to fully charge.
Many members here use the JR. with success. It's only when the battery begins to severely deteriorate that the JR. may not be as good.
I've used the BATTERY TENDER PLUS on my cars since '95 with each car that sits for prolonged periods having OPTIMA batteries. Not one battery has failed. When the current BATTERY TENDER PLUS fails, I might look into the CTEK which is a little more advanced technology.
I leave mine plugged in all the time through a quality surge protector. You're defeating the purpose of the float maintenance charger by disconnecting it when the battery is fully charged.
Many members here use the JR. with success. It's only when the battery begins to severely deteriorate that the JR. may not be as good.
I've used the BATTERY TENDER PLUS on my cars since '95 with each car that sits for prolonged periods having OPTIMA batteries. Not one battery has failed. When the current BATTERY TENDER PLUS fails, I might look into the CTEK which is a little more advanced technology.
I leave mine plugged in all the time through a quality surge protector. You're defeating the purpose of the float maintenance charger by disconnecting it when the battery is fully charged.
do your 1995 batteries still work? 
