Battery maintainer question.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Battery maintainer question.
So I visit my Corvette in stortage that have not seen in 3 weeks and the battery maintainer is running. I understand it has been running for the 3 weeks at a 2 amp setting. It is supposed to shut off when fully charged. It did not. What kind if any damage can be expected to battery?
Greetings, Rob
Greetings, Rob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Is the charger supposed to just turn off once when charged or to turn on and off to maintain the battery charged? Maybe it had just began to charge when you showed up?
Better look to see if it overcharged the battery and spilled acid out. If it did you better address that issue immediately. The PCM is below the battery. If you need any guidance on how to clean up any acid spill let us know.
Most of us use a trickle charger that is not designed to charge the battery but to just maintain the charge.
Better look to see if it overcharged the battery and spilled acid out. If it did you better address that issue immediately. The PCM is below the battery. If you need any guidance on how to clean up any acid spill let us know.
Most of us use a trickle charger that is not designed to charge the battery but to just maintain the charge.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 5
From: Germantown, TN
Depends upon the device that you are using whether it will shut off or float the charge when the battery is fully charged. I have a very old 1 amp trickle charger that does not shut off so you have to constantly monitor the battery to determine when to disconnect it. I also have several tender type devices that will maintain the battery at full charge once the battery is fully charged, The device does not shut off fully but rather the electronics in it stop the charging process and monitor the charge level. When the battery drops below a certain point the maintainer starts the charge process again until fully charged.
You need to determine how yours works. 2 amps seems a little high for a maintainer as most I have seen are 1.5 amps or less. But, read the information that came with your device. They should specify just how it works. If it is simply a charger, I suggest you look for a maintainer/tender style device.....
A device that does not float the charge can boil the electrolyte from the battery and damage it. If the battery has removeable covers over the electrolyte, remove them and inspect that the plates are covered by the electrolyte. If not you can try adding some distilled water and then recharge the battery. Do NOT add acid.
You need to determine how yours works. 2 amps seems a little high for a maintainer as most I have seen are 1.5 amps or less. But, read the information that came with your device. They should specify just how it works. If it is simply a charger, I suggest you look for a maintainer/tender style device.....
A device that does not float the charge can boil the electrolyte from the battery and damage it. If the battery has removeable covers over the electrolyte, remove them and inspect that the plates are covered by the electrolyte. If not you can try adding some distilled water and then recharge the battery. Do NOT add acid.
I've had the "original" battery tender:
http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-...-021-0128.html
For years now & no issues. It's a "smart" device which does what 8VETTE7 describes above. It charges then goes into a float mode. This keep the battery nice & fresh & no damage. I actually have three of the one I posted the link to. I've had them in service for 5 + years.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 365
Likes: 19
From: Hugo MN
I use a ctek during the summer, however, I feel better pulling the battery out during the winter. Just don't trust leaving the ctek plugged in all winter with the car covered while in storage for fear of a malfunction during the 5 months it is unattended and having damage caused from battery acid leakage.
This is a very remote possibility but it allows me to sleep at night!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
This is what I do over the winter as well!
I use a ctek during the summer, however, I feel better pulling the battery out during the winter. Just don't trust leaving the ctek plugged in all winter with the car covered while in storage for fear of a malfunction during the 5 months it is unattended and having damage caused from battery acid leakage.
This is a very remote possibility but it allows me to sleep at night!
I use a ctek during the summer, however, I feel better pulling the battery out during the winter. Just don't trust leaving the ctek plugged in all winter with the car covered while in storage for fear of a malfunction during the 5 months it is unattended and having damage caused from battery acid leakage.
This is a very remote possibility but it allows me to sleep at night!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 670
Likes: 31
From: Webster NY
What he said!
I've had the "original" battery tender:
http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-...-021-0128.html
For years now & no issues. It's a "smart" device which does what 8VETTE7 describes above. It charges then goes into a float mode. This keep the battery nice & fresh & no damage. I actually have three of the one I posted the link to. I've had them in service for 5 + years.
I've had the "original" battery tender:
http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-...-021-0128.html
For years now & no issues. It's a "smart" device which does what 8VETTE7 describes above. It charges then goes into a float mode. This keep the battery nice & fresh & no damage. I actually have three of the one I posted the link to. I've had them in service for 5 + years.
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Depends upon the device that you are using whether it will shut off or float the charge when the battery is fully charged.
You need to determine how yours works. 2 amps seems a little high for a maintainer as most I have seen are 1.5 amps or less. But, read the information that came with your device. They should specify just how it works. If it is simply a charger, I suggest you look for a maintainer/tender style device.....
A device that does not float the charge can boil the electrolyte from the battery and damage it. If the battery has removeable covers over the electrolyte, remove them and inspect that the plates are covered by the electrolyte. If not you can try adding some distilled water and then recharge the battery. Do NOT add acid.
You need to determine how yours works. 2 amps seems a little high for a maintainer as most I have seen are 1.5 amps or less. But, read the information that came with your device. They should specify just how it works. If it is simply a charger, I suggest you look for a maintainer/tender style device.....
A device that does not float the charge can boil the electrolyte from the battery and damage it. If the battery has removeable covers over the electrolyte, remove them and inspect that the plates are covered by the electrolyte. If not you can try adding some distilled water and then recharge the battery. Do NOT add acid.
What he said!
I've had the "original" battery tender.
For years now & no issues. It's a "smart" device which does what 8VETTE7 describes above. It charges then goes into a float mode. This keep the battery nice & fresh & no damage. I actually have three of the one I posted the link to. I've had them in service for 5 + years.
I've had the "original" battery tender.
For years now & no issues. It's a "smart" device which does what 8VETTE7 describes above. It charges then goes into a float mode. This keep the battery nice & fresh & no damage. I actually have three of the one I posted the link to. I've had them in service for 5 + years.
What makes you think the maintainer has been running for the entire time?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 9
From: "Philly" Pennsylvania
Battery maintainer
I use a battery maintainer too but just to be sure I have it hooked up to a plug in timer and it is set to work for only 10 hours each day. This way I do not have to worry about cooking the battery. This system has worked well for the past four years (same battery). My vette is out of service for about 3.5 months (more or less, depending) each winter.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Thanks for the responses. I have used this maintainer for 3 years and no issue. I started the car 3 weeks ago leaving the maintainer hooked up but un plugged from the 120 volt current. Maybe I damaged it by leaving it hooked to the battery when running car, that is why it charges constantly or maybe it just happened that I came across it when it is charging. A friend suggested hood or interior light not turning off. I will have to check these possibilities also. A timer for 10 hours is a great idea...or removing or at least unhooking posts is also excellent suggestions. Who needs the stress! Thankyou to all that responded. Greetings,Rob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Thanks for the responses. I have used this maintainer for 3 years and no issue. I started the car 3 weeks ago leaving the maintainer hooked up but un plugged from the 120 volt current. Maybe I damaged it by leaving it hooked to the battery when running car, that is why it charges constantly or maybe it just happened that I came across it when it is charging. A friend suggested hood or interior light not turning off. I will have to check these possibilities also. A timer for 10 hours is a great idea...or removing or at least unhooking posts is also excellent suggestions. Who needs the stress! Thankyou to all that responded. Greetings,Rob
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 569
Likes: 2
From: Corona CA
So I visit my Corvette in stortage that have not seen in 3 weeks and the battery maintainer is running. I understand it has been running for the 3 weeks at a 2 amp setting. It is supposed to shut off when fully charged. It did not. What kind if any damage can be expected to battery? Greetings, Rob
Greetings, Rob
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Just spoke to a tech at the store I purchased maintainer. He says if it was over charging a rotten egg smell would be obvious. He is convinced there is no issue and has had no problems with returns of battery maintainers. I bought a new maintainer (very reasonable price) will check and see if I think I should replace existing one. This fall storage I will remove battery terminal and store it that way.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 363
Likes: 3
I just brought my car out of storage today. My tender was turned off by accident and the battery was dead. I put it on the charger and gets up to 75%. The car starts with no issue but now my FOB does not work. I found last winter that my FOB will not work if my battery is not fully charged. I have heard that you have to charge batteries in tandem to get them to take a full charge. Can anyone offer any advice on this.
Reggie
Reggie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I just brought my car out of storage today. My tender was turned off by accident and the battery was dead. I put it on the charger and gets up to 75%. The car starts with no issue but now my FOB does not work. I found last winter that my FOB will not work if my battery is not fully charged. I have heard that you have to charge batteries in tandem to get them to take a full charge. Can anyone offer any advice on this.
Reggie
Reggie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 556
From: Tallahassee fl
GM recommends the battery be disconnected if the car is not run for more than 3 weeks. There is no recommendation to use a battery tender. Battery tenders are relatively new and there was no need for them before they were invented. I wonder if their increased popularity has contributed to the frequent electronic problems reported today.
The frequent electronic problems are from the mass of electronics. It's pretty tough to compare a new car with electronic everything to an older one. The reason why the maintainers are needed is all the electronics slowly draining the battery. Older cars simply didn't have all the stuff draining the battery to begin with.
I actually plug a charger in occasionally on my daily driver vehicles. Usually when I'm cleaning them out. You would be surprised at how long the battery will take a charge on even a daily driven vehicle sometimes. Especially one with a high electronic load like my Navigator. It has air suspension, navigation, heated and cooled seats, front and rear AC, power lift gate, power folding mirrors, rear DVD, etc. That thing always accepts a charge.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
GM now offers a battery maintainer as an option when you buy a new Corvette (and has done so for a few years now).
The frequent electronic problems are from the mass of electronics. It's pretty tough to compare a new car with electronic everything to an older one. The reason why the maintainers are needed is all the electronics slowly draining the battery. Older cars simply didn't have all the stuff draining the battery to begin with.
I actually plug a charger in occasionally on my daily driver vehicles. Usually when I'm cleaning them out. You would be surprised at how long the battery will take a charge on even a daily driven vehicle sometimes. Especially one with a high electronic load like my Navigator. It has air suspension, navigation, heated and cooled seats, front and rear AC, power lift gate, power folding mirrors, rear DVD, etc. That thing always accepts a charge.
The frequent electronic problems are from the mass of electronics. It's pretty tough to compare a new car with electronic everything to an older one. The reason why the maintainers are needed is all the electronics slowly draining the battery. Older cars simply didn't have all the stuff draining the battery to begin with.
I actually plug a charger in occasionally on my daily driver vehicles. Usually when I'm cleaning them out. You would be surprised at how long the battery will take a charge on even a daily driven vehicle sometimes. Especially one with a high electronic load like my Navigator. It has air suspension, navigation, heated and cooled seats, front and rear AC, power lift gate, power folding mirrors, rear DVD, etc. That thing always accepts a charge.
How much is the GM battery maintainer option? Did they offer it because so many Vette owners think they need one?
Last edited by JR-01; Mar 11, 2014 at 11:17 AM.