Battery Tender Plus Burns Up
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 305
From: Feeding Hills, MA
I just purchased a C5 a couple of weeks ago and the PO told me to keep the battery charged and connected when I store it for the winter. He told me it would wreak havoc with the electronics. Beyond having to reprogram everything again in the spring what else could it do? definitely easier to just connect the BT and wrap it up.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 195
Likes: 3
From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
Tenders rock
I have one on every 12V vehicle I own; best thing for seldom-started vehicles ever made, IMHO. When you have millions of something in circulation, it's always possible something's going to go wrong with a certain percentage (no matter how small) of them. The same could be said of any other plug-in appliance, including that AC adapter you prolly leave your laptop plugged in to 24x7x365... it could happen to your alarm clock or your stereo receiver.
And no, none of mine are made in China ... although they're no longer assembled in the 50 states.
And no, none of mine are made in China ... although they're no longer assembled in the 50 states.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I just purchased a C5 a couple of weeks ago and the PO told me to keep the battery charged and connected when I store it for the winter. He told me it would wreak havoc with the electronics. Beyond having to reprogram everything again in the spring what else could it do? definitely easier to just connect the BT and wrap it up.
The owners C5 manual even recommends disconnecting the ground cable for long term storage. It's just like any other car.
Electronics last longer when they are not energized.
We asked David Scott at GM if battery disconnection was a viable option for newer Corvettes. "Actually, it is because there are circuits using power when the vehicle is "off". Without a "Battery Tender" as you mentioned, the circuits would drain a battery in about 30 - 40 days. General Motors does not require / mandate that an owner have a charger going. We have typically recommended disconnecting the battery."
Last edited by JR-01; Nov 22, 2013 at 02:19 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 305
From: Feeding Hills, MA
With that being the case and avoiding something like what Greekmn2 discovered, I'll be removing the battery!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I've had the neg cable on my C5 disconnected many times and when it came time to reconnect the cable i never had to reprogram anything. Not even the radio stations. Who ever told you it wreaks havoc has no idea what they are talking about.
The only problem you will run into is if you have the theft lok on the radio programmed and don't know what the pass code is. Even that can be gotten around. Just do a search here. Full details on how to recover and not have to pay a dealer a cent....
The only problem you will run into is if you have the theft lok on the radio programmed and don't know what the pass code is. Even that can be gotten around. Just do a search here. Full details on how to recover and not have to pay a dealer a cent....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Best to keep it in a dry place, up off the concrete with relatively constant temperature. In the spring when I am ready to put it back in I put the charger on it and it still shows full charge.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Leamington Ontario
1) While C-Tek chargers have a good reputation, a few, just like ANY product these days, do fail. Check amazon.com reviews.
2) When you rave over a C-Tek, what model are you talking about? They make a complete line with increasing sophistication. Some may be more reliable than others.
3) A disconnected battery in your basement still looses 1% charge/month. Doesn't sound like much, but just a few percentage separates a good battery from one that is dying. It is best to recharge to max. once per month.
2) When you rave over a C-Tek, what model are you talking about? They make a complete line with increasing sophistication. Some may be more reliable than others.
3) A disconnected battery in your basement still looses 1% charge/month. Doesn't sound like much, but just a few percentage separates a good battery from one that is dying. It is best to recharge to max. once per month.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I left the batteries in my 66 and 68 Mustangs over the winter in the 1980s and they would start right up in the spring and would last long past their warranty and I live where it gets to minus 30.
Last edited by JR-01; Nov 22, 2013 at 04:10 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 34
From: Lincoln Nebraska
I have been using a Schumacher charger for the last five years... no problems. I just bought a second one (At Tractor Supply... $24). It looks pretty much like my original unit, but lighter. Probably more solid-state circuitry. Good ratings on Amazon.
It's the family business of Tony Schumacher... driver of the US Army- sponsored AA Fuel Dragster.
http://www.batterychargers.com/Produ...tName=94026849
It's the family business of Tony Schumacher... driver of the US Army- sponsored AA Fuel Dragster.
http://www.batterychargers.com/Produ...tName=94026849
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 168
Likes: 3
From: Denver Colorado
Thanks to everyone who read and posted.
We are all in the same boat! I've been using these for many many winters and was SHOCKED when it happened. Just like someone posted....I was "puntzing" around in the garage and I started smelling something..thought it was a neighbor using a chemical then I saw the smoke.
I purposely purchased the "Plus" hopefully for better quality and not just going with the cheapest.
When I saw the smoke I pulled it off the C5 so fast as I was concerned about the electrical wiring on the Corvette. The tender was between the Corvette fender and the wall of the garage made of sheetrock. The tender was placed on a computer mouse pad to protect it from the garage cement floor.
Not sure what I am going to do..I have a commerical battery charger that I can charge the car battery in the Spring if it is dead.
I hope these devices have a fire prevent system inside the tender, but I don't know.
We are all in the same boat! I've been using these for many many winters and was SHOCKED when it happened. Just like someone posted....I was "puntzing" around in the garage and I started smelling something..thought it was a neighbor using a chemical then I saw the smoke.
I purposely purchased the "Plus" hopefully for better quality and not just going with the cheapest.
When I saw the smoke I pulled it off the C5 so fast as I was concerned about the electrical wiring on the Corvette. The tender was between the Corvette fender and the wall of the garage made of sheetrock. The tender was placed on a computer mouse pad to protect it from the garage cement floor.
Not sure what I am going to do..I have a commerical battery charger that I can charge the car battery in the Spring if it is dead.
I hope these devices have a fire prevent system inside the tender, but I don't know.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Thanks to everyone who read and posted.
We are all in the same boat! I've been using these for many many winters and was SHOCKED when it happened. Just like someone posted....I was "puntzing" around in the garage and I started smelling something..thought it was a neighbor using a chemical then I saw the smoke.
I purposely purchased the "Plus" hopefully for better quality and not just going with the cheapest.
When I saw the smoke I pulled it off the C5 so fast as I was concerned about the electrical wiring on the Corvette. The tender was between the Corvette fender and the wall of the garage made of sheetrock. The tender was placed on a computer mouse pad to protect it from the garage cement floor.
Not sure what I am going to do..I have a commerical battery charger that I can charge the car battery in the Spring if it is dead.
I hope these devices have a fire prevent system inside the tender, but I don't know.
We are all in the same boat! I've been using these for many many winters and was SHOCKED when it happened. Just like someone posted....I was "puntzing" around in the garage and I started smelling something..thought it was a neighbor using a chemical then I saw the smoke.
I purposely purchased the "Plus" hopefully for better quality and not just going with the cheapest.
When I saw the smoke I pulled it off the C5 so fast as I was concerned about the electrical wiring on the Corvette. The tender was between the Corvette fender and the wall of the garage made of sheetrock. The tender was placed on a computer mouse pad to protect it from the garage cement floor.
Not sure what I am going to do..I have a commerical battery charger that I can charge the car battery in the Spring if it is dead.
I hope these devices have a fire prevent system inside the tender, but I don't know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
1) While C-Tek chargers have a good reputation, a few, just like ANY product these days, do fail. Check amazon.com reviews.
2) When you rave over a C-Tek, what model are you talking about? They make a complete line with increasing sophistication. Some may be more reliable than others.
2) When you rave over a C-Tek, what model are you talking about? They make a complete line with increasing sophistication. Some may be more reliable than others.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 62
From: New Madison Ohio
You guys that are disconnecting the negative battery cable do you have the lead acid (like the stock one) or an optima red top. Just wondering because I have an optima red top and if I don't drive mine for a couple of weeks its dead.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,404
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
I have a Red Top in my car. I stick the charger on it once a week, for about 20 minutes (in the winter, that is)....
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Battery Tender
In the January 2014 issue of Hemmings Classic Car, on page 71 there is a ad for " Battery Tender" by Deltran that not only will bring your battery up to a full charge but hold that full charge indefinitely.
A cheaper and less complete method would be the $ 9.95 version at Harbor Freight, but I've found their products are the lowest quality "consumer grade" that you can get, great for very occasional use but not to be used over the long term. In any event, I would also invest in a good smoke detector, no matter what you use and as someone else mentioned, keep the unit outside the cover. This would simplify things with your insurance company if something did happen.
A cheaper and less complete method would be the $ 9.95 version at Harbor Freight, but I've found their products are the lowest quality "consumer grade" that you can get, great for very occasional use but not to be used over the long term. In any event, I would also invest in a good smoke detector, no matter what you use and as someone else mentioned, keep the unit outside the cover. This would simplify things with your insurance company if something did happen.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
It should go longer than two weeks. New cars sit on the lot for months and they don't use battery tenders or start them up every couple of weeks. How old is the battery?
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Just picked up this thread. I had been using a Battery Tender Plus but one day found my AC Delco battery dead along with the tender. I don't know if the battery died and took the tender with it or vice versa, either way I wasn't prepared to hook it up to the new Optima Red Top. I've been using a Numax for the last two winters and all seems ok.