Quik questions.
Does anyone use a "Battery Tender"?
Any problems?
Is the least expensive model okay to use?

TIA

 

Bought one at Carlisle. I think it was from Lectric Limited cost was around $15.00. Works great and I have been using it for over 2 years with no problem

 

Great!!!
Appreciate the quik response.

 

Are you actually referring to the BATTERY TENDER PLUS (1.25 AMP) and BATTERY TENDER JR. (.75 amp) or using the term in the generic sense?
LECTRIC LIMITED is not a BATTERY TENDER by DELTRAN, but it might maintain a battery charge.
Either float maintenance charger model above will work fine long term on a regular battery, and perfectly well on an OPTIMA. They're made by DELTRAN CORPORATION. Their warranty can be as long as ten years.
They'll provide a slow constant charge, then float (sleep) until the battery needs to be charged. They're safe enough to leave connected for long term with either alligator clips, ring terminals or some prefer the cigarette lighter adapter. Mine is left on from October through April and any time the car is not being driven. They're available at PEPBOYS or almost any motorcycle shop.
Another option is CTEK, from Europe, which is a little more "high tech" and has some options not available on the BATTERY TENDER models. Supporting vendor C.C.A. carries this brand.
There are generic chargers with names similar, but they are made off shore and probably don't have the safety features. They're available at HARBOR FREIGHT or WALMART.
It's your car to do with as you please.
I've had OPTIMA batteries last in excess of seven years by using a BATTERY TENDER PLUS when the vehicle was in storage for long periods of non use.
In C5 Tech, click on search this forum (in the red banner), using keywords "BATTERY TENDER" or "float maintenance charger" for hundreds of past discussions.

 

Thank-you for the detailed info.
Yes, I was asking about the BATTERY TENDER JR. (.75 amp) that would be used between drives~ 2-3 weeks during the winter.

Is this model safe. I would probably never let it remain on the vehicle for more than 3 weeks.
TIA

Great resource for Z06 info. Much appreciated.

 

As I said, the BATTERY TENDER JR. is safe for any battery. It provides only .75 amp of charge, so don't expect it to re-charge a completely stone dead battery over night.
Check out the BATTERY TENDER website and read the specifications and FAQs section.

 

Appreciate again the response. I just want to add a little charge between uses because the last time I went to use the vehicle the battery felt slightly low but charged up perfectly after a short run.

Much appreciated.

 

How old is your battery? If the battery has suffered through several discharges, it's lifespan has been negatively altered.
C5/Z06 cars have a lot of electronics that continually draw a battery down.
Many people elect to start their cars during the winter and just allow them to idle. That doesn't completely charge the battery (or do the engine good) as driving the car for a few miles.
You might need a new battery and a float maintenance charger...

 

The battery is 4 years old and the vehicle has only 4,700 mi (2004). Obviously I do not drive it much. This was the first time that the battery ever felt sluggish at all. The winters are basically non-existent here, so I am able to routine drive it once every fews weeks to work (~15 miles). Lately, I have not been in the mood to drive it so it sat for over 3 weeks. The garage is heated so cold was not the problem. you're probably correct that it may be time to replace a 4 y.o original battery anyways.
Thanks for the help and info.

 

I use a battery tender on my car over the winter months, sometimes it sits 3-4 months without getting fired up, never had an issue, use one on my motorcycle and jet ski's as well.

 

A four year old battery has usually lived out it's expected lifetime unless maintained on a maintenance charger during non use. I think this is especially true in severe use of extreme heat, extreme cold, short charging cycles, high draw applications, past discharged state, etc.
I prefer OPTIMA batteries, but that usually brings heated debates of pros/cons.
As I mentioned, it's your car to do with as you please.

 

That's for sure. I have the Junior and it wouldn't re-charge my dead battery, even after 2-3 days. I had to use a beefier Harbor Freight battery tender that I own to recharge my battery. Now that my battery is fully recharged I am going to use the Deltran for longer term use.

It just sucks that our $50k cars can't sit for more than a week or two without discharging the damn battery! My P.O.S 1993 toyota 4x4 will sit for months without issue....

 

Your '93 Toyota 4x4 obviously didn't have the multiple computers, memory feature requirements, security systems, multiple modules, etc that your Corvette has. Maybe it has something to do with the grounding systems?
I had tri five Chevys that didn't either. Disconnect your battery if that's a better option.
Or, you can always retire your Corvette and live your dream in your '93 Toyota 4x4...(don't do it)

 

That's funny^ Driving my P.O.S. truck makes me appreciate the Z06 that much more...man that thing is S L O W and its a V6

 

I bought the Battery Tender brand 4 battery unit, very well made, and does a great job with a couple of the extensions they offer, it charges both Vettes and both waverunners. Used to hook up my battery charger one at a time, to all 4 once a month, but this is GREAT. Hook up in fall, unhook in spring, everything ready to go.

 

Thanks guys for all the experiences and insights. I picked up a Battery Tender. My battery "never" went dead and this is the first time it felt sluggish.
Is it okay to use this item in a garage that has passive ventilate (window). The instruction stated that something about being dangerous because of the volatile gas discharged from the battery.
TIA

 

Batteries "out gas", so be careful when you're connecting the leads to the battery. It's one of those corporate lawyer warnings to avoid civil litigation if a battery explodes. Avoid sparks. Connect positive first, then negative.
I prefer to permanently mount the short lead with the ring terminals to the battery rather than the alligator clips. Some prefer to remotely connect the leads away from the battery. Some prefer to use the cigarette lighter adapter which wasn't available when I bought my BATTERY TENDER.

 

No problem here for 4 years with Battery tender and clips with car covered--Just dont lift your leg close to the battery-that is what the manf. means by gas

 

I used a Battery Tender Plus for a few years. Worked fine until this year when it went poof! So I replaced it with a CTEK charger. It was a little more expensive but much nicer in my opinion.

http://www.ctek.com/EN-US/Default.aspx

 

I use the cheap one from Wal mart on my Harley, Lawn Mower and
Z06. Works just fine.