storage for the winter
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 6
From: Cleveland OH
storage for the winter
I am about to put the vette away for the winter 
I was not happy with the charger I had hooked up all winter last year. Any suggestions for a charger for winter storaqe? I am in NE Ohio and the car is kept under cover in an unheated garage. Like to hear pros and cons of different types.
I was not happy with the charger I had hooked up all winter last year. Any suggestions for a charger for winter storaqe? I am in NE Ohio and the car is kept under cover in an unheated garage. Like to hear pros and cons of different types.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: Richfield MN
I have used a Deltran Battery Tender for the last 6 years. I think you will likely find a lot of forum members use one. It is not a charger, but a battery maintainer. It will slowly bring the battery up to full charge then keep it there and not overcharge it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
C-Tech is another popular one,,and is more versatile. Supposed to be able to float/maintain,,and do a full charge and if I am not mistaken has a pulse setting that is supposed to revive some dead batteries!! Does cost more though!! could do what I do,,drive it through the winter,,just leave her in on the bad days!!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: Richfield MN
I kept mine uncovered the first winter, but have used a custom cover ever since. Just too hard to see the beautiful electron blue coupe sit there all winter. At least looking at it now with a gray cover on it is easier to take until spring.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: Santa Ynez Ca.
I've used Schumacher brand battery tenders for years. I have 6 of them on various vehicles permantly installed on each except my motorcycle and daily driver. On those I share one. I have one mounted directly above the battery on my '01Z which I keep pluged in continuously during the winter. The battery in my Z is going on 7 years old and shows no indication of deterioration. It is a floating 1.5amp tender and costs about $30.00. Check them out on the internet for addtional information.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 2
From: Cambridge Illinois
Never use a charger. Use a maintainer. The 1.5 amp Schumaker at Wally World for $20 is good. I have 12 of them in use for many years. I have even drove over one once:bb.
The best use of a maintainer is to use it daily. Unplug when you leave the garage and plug back in upon returning.
I sold a motorcycle this year with the original eight year + battery still going strong. A motorcycle battery is generally a 2 to 3 year life.
Put StaBil in the tank and drive around a little until it is mixed and through the injectors. I used to put covers on mine but then I can't look at them when I have my morning coffee.
The best use of a maintainer is to use it daily. Unplug when you leave the garage and plug back in upon returning.
I sold a motorcycle this year with the original eight year + battery still going strong. A motorcycle battery is generally a 2 to 3 year life.
Put StaBil in the tank and drive around a little until it is mixed and through the injectors. I used to put covers on mine but then I can't look at them when I have my morning coffee.
Last edited by lh4x4; Oct 14, 2009 at 01:13 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Mine went to sleep in the garage last week. A couple weeks early since the weather has suddenly turned for the worse. This is my fall traditon:
1) Change Oil (my preference to do it in the fall each year).
2) Make sure the tires are inflated to 30psi in the colder weather.
3) A bunch of little stuff like treating the weather stripping and lubricating the hinges.
4) Full detail inside, out and underneath.
5) Stabil in the gas tank and a trip to the gas station to fill it up.
6) Escort 8500 moved to daily driver
7) Battery tender installed.
8) Covered.
It's a bittersweet day but I look forward to it every year. A fall tradition for me. The really neat thing about storing the C5 is how fast it is in the spring. It's like getting a new car.... every year!
1) Change Oil (my preference to do it in the fall each year).
2) Make sure the tires are inflated to 30psi in the colder weather.
3) A bunch of little stuff like treating the weather stripping and lubricating the hinges.
4) Full detail inside, out and underneath.
5) Stabil in the gas tank and a trip to the gas station to fill it up.
6) Escort 8500 moved to daily driver
7) Battery tender installed.
8) Covered.
It's a bittersweet day but I look forward to it every year. A fall tradition for me. The really neat thing about storing the C5 is how fast it is in the spring. It's like getting a new car.... every year!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: monroeville pa
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: monroeville pa
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I am about to put the vette away for the winter I was not happy with the charger I had hooked up all winter last year. Any suggestions for a charger for winter storaqe? I am in NE Ohio and the car is kept under cover in an unheated garage. Like to hear pros and cons of different types.
I was not happy with the charger I had hooked up all winter last year. Any suggestions for a charger for winter storaqe? I am in NE Ohio and the car is kept under cover in an unheated garage. Like to hear pros and cons of different types.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,350
Likes: 5,240
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
The C-Tek 3300 is an excellent battery tender. I usually change the oil, detail the car and fill up the gas tank (less air, less moisture). I also try to find a couple of winter days when the roads are clear and dry and give the cars some exercise.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 225
Likes: 4
From: Missouri
winter blues
Some pros will tell you to drive the car, I have already had a differential seal leak on the drivers side so I have been trying to drive it on days that the roads are good. When it's time to leave this green earth, you're probably not going to be thanking yourself for never driving your Vette. Get out and enjoy it charge that battery with your right foot! Save the wave!
P.S. I do use sea foam for a fuel stabilizer.
P.S. I do use sea foam for a fuel stabilizer.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,675
Likes: 24,665
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 '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I've been using the Deltran Battery Tender Plus on mine for years and it works just fine. Hook it up and leave it is what I do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,593
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I guess I am just lucky because I live in Florida and do not have to worry about the winter and snow. What I have always wondered however is why you (all those in the north) want to put it to bed for the winter, and there is not even snow on the ground. It is only October (I know it has turned cold in spots) why put it away just because the temp. has dropped I don't understand. If you enjoy driving it, way not wait until the weatherman says SNOW tomorrow.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: monroeville pa
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 30,045
Likes: 4
From: Danville Virginia
Battery Tender has worked well for me Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,460
Likes: 1,046
From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
In the garage, covered, battery tender...just did it this past weekend, it was 21 degrees out. This weekend it is supposed to be mid to high 60's with loads of sunshine...go figure.