Which battery tender?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 880
Likes: 742
From: SW Desert
My Dad's considering the Optima 200 tender for his C6 as he has an Optima battery. Anybody use this unit? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/u...WEgxmF0PugSVEg
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 1,097
From: Ex DPRK, now just N of Medford, OR
I have a bunch of the Deltran ones. Too many cars...
I tried a generic one from Summit. It's really just a 1 amp charger. No voltage monitor at all.
Won't happen again.
I tried a generic one from Summit. It's really just a 1 amp charger. No voltage monitor at all.
Won't happen again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 415
From: Erwin, NC
I have an Optima Digital 1200. I bought it at the same time as my Optima Red Top battery because it added an extra year to the warranty. It works great.
Since I moved my battery to the trunk, I picked up one of these so I can plug it in without needing to open the trunk. I haven't installed it, yet. I plan on sticking it near the license plate.
I also have the Optima Digital 200+ that I bought with the Orange Top battery in my motorcycle.
Since I moved my battery to the trunk, I picked up one of these so I can plug it in without needing to open the trunk. I haven't installed it, yet. I plan on sticking it near the license plate.
I also have the Optima Digital 200+ that I bought with the Orange Top battery in my motorcycle.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 184
Likes: 20
From: Albany NY
I had a battery tender jr.hooked up to a generator batt.for over 5 years that came with the home I bought.I repurposed it for use on my c5 on my 5 year old optima red top without any problems (seven years total) so far.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 686
Likes: 47
From: Flatlands of Nebraska
I'm a Battery Tender brand junkie....have 12 of them on everything from ATV, Lawn Mowers, Golf Cart, Motorcycles, Marine Batteries, Street Rod and C5.
Hardwired the plug in pigtails on everything for easy unplug & go. They go into float mode automatically, never had a sulfation problem and they last decades.
Hardwired the plug in pigtails on everything for easy unplug & go. They go into float mode automatically, never had a sulfation problem and they last decades.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: Dutchess County New York
Question on battery tender usage
Hello Everyone
I apologize if this post isn’t in the right section.
i purchased my C5 - 2004 convertible less than a month ago. The seller was kind enough to leave a Battery Tender Junior part # 021-0123 with the car.
The car starts right up with the installed Optima battery. For now and until winter sets in I start the car and drive it once a week. Yesterday, I figured I would try attaching the battery tender to see if the battery needed a charge. The tender was plugged in for 8 hours with solid red light. I unplugged it prior to bedtime as I was hesitant leaving it overnight without being able to monitor.
From anyone’s experience does the 8 hours seem a bit long without the light going green ? Do I just need to be patient and not worry ?
Appreciate any advice.
Thanks
11/2/25 update - I left the tender plugged in overnight and this morning light was green. Will now use the tender as it was designed to maintain the battery. Thanks to everyone who responded.
I apologize if this post isn’t in the right section.
i purchased my C5 - 2004 convertible less than a month ago. The seller was kind enough to leave a Battery Tender Junior part # 021-0123 with the car.
The car starts right up with the installed Optima battery. For now and until winter sets in I start the car and drive it once a week. Yesterday, I figured I would try attaching the battery tender to see if the battery needed a charge. The tender was plugged in for 8 hours with solid red light. I unplugged it prior to bedtime as I was hesitant leaving it overnight without being able to monitor.
From anyone’s experience does the 8 hours seem a bit long without the light going green ? Do I just need to be patient and not worry ?
Appreciate any advice.
Thanks
11/2/25 update - I left the tender plugged in overnight and this morning light was green. Will now use the tender as it was designed to maintain the battery. Thanks to everyone who responded.
Last edited by ffdmtd; Nov 2, 2025 at 11:43 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,967
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
Hello Everyone
I apologize if this post isn’t in the right section.
i purchased my C5 - 2004 convertible less than a month ago. The seller was kind enough to leave a Battery Tender Junior part # 021-0123 with the car.
The car starts right up with the installed Optima battery. For now and until winter sets in I start the car and drive it once a week. Yesterday, I figured I would try attaching the battery tender to see if the battery needed a charge. The tender was plugged in for 8 hours with solid red light. I unplugged it prior to bedtime as I was hesitant leaving it overnight without being able to monitor.
From anyone’s experience does the 8 hours seem a bit long without the light going green ? Do I just need to be patient and not worry ?
Appreciate any advice.
Thanks
I apologize if this post isn’t in the right section.
i purchased my C5 - 2004 convertible less than a month ago. The seller was kind enough to leave a Battery Tender Junior part # 021-0123 with the car.
The car starts right up with the installed Optima battery. For now and until winter sets in I start the car and drive it once a week. Yesterday, I figured I would try attaching the battery tender to see if the battery needed a charge. The tender was plugged in for 8 hours with solid red light. I unplugged it prior to bedtime as I was hesitant leaving it overnight without being able to monitor.
From anyone’s experience does the 8 hours seem a bit long without the light going green ? Do I just need to be patient and not worry ?
Appreciate any advice.
Thanks
C5 Corvettes seem to discharge batteries pretty quickly if not driven daily, so keep that Battery Tender on it and you can walk out to garage every day to check on it if you feel worried.
8 hours doesn’t seem too long, might take a couple of days if the battery is discharged.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 686
Likes: 47
From: Flatlands of Nebraska
How old is the Optima? If aged, the red light on the JR might be a telltale that something may be amiss....then again, maybe not. A good battery load tester will tell you for certain.
Keep in mind, the Junior series of Battery Tenders don't put out that much amperage to begin with making them ideal for longer term float/maintainer mode. The next level up series provide for more charging amperage as well as float mode.
Otherwise, as in the post above, keep it plugged in when not driving everyday and life will be good.
Keep in mind, the Junior series of Battery Tenders don't put out that much amperage to begin with making them ideal for longer term float/maintainer mode. The next level up series provide for more charging amperage as well as float mode.
Otherwise, as in the post above, keep it plugged in when not driving everyday and life will be good.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: Dutchess County New York
Just keep it hooked up to maintain battery when car is not in use, it will shut off or “float” when battery is at the correct charge then as it drops enough it will automatically start charging again.
C5 Corvettes seem to discharge batteries pretty quickly if not driven daily, so keep that Battery Tender on it and you can walk out to garage every day to check on it if you feel worried.
8 hours doesn’t seem too long, might take a couple of days if the battery is discharged.
C5 Corvettes seem to discharge batteries pretty quickly if not driven daily, so keep that Battery Tender on it and you can walk out to garage every day to check on it if you feel worried.
8 hours doesn’t seem too long, might take a couple of days if the battery is discharged.
Thanks 1999corvettels1
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: Dutchess County New York
How old is the Optima? If aged, the red light on the JR might be a telltale that something may be amiss....then again, maybe not. A good battery load tester will tell you for certain.
Keep in mind, the Junior series of Battery Tenders don't put out that much amperage to begin with making them ideal for longer term float/maintainer mode. The next level up series provide for more charging amperage as well as float mode.
Otherwise, as in the post above, keep it plugged in when not driving everyday and life will be good.
Keep in mind, the Junior series of Battery Tenders don't put out that much amperage to begin with making them ideal for longer term float/maintainer mode. The next level up series provide for more charging amperage as well as float mode.
Otherwise, as in the post above, keep it plugged in when not driving everyday and life will be good.
Thanks zofoman the Optima has a round sticker on top that shows 12/22
i will be having the NYS inspection completed in a few days, will ask to have it load tested then.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 266
Likes: 63
From: Virginia
Hello Everyone
I apologize if this post isn’t in the right section.
i purchased my C5 - 2004 convertible less than a month ago. The seller was kind enough to leave a Battery Tender Junior part # 021-0123 with the car.
The car starts right up with the installed Optima battery. For now and until winter sets in I start the car and drive it once a week. Yesterday, I figured I would try attaching the battery tender to see if the battery needed a charge. The tender was plugged in for 8 hours with solid red light. I unplugged it prior to bedtime as I was hesitant leaving it overnight without being able to monitor.
From anyone’s experience does the 8 hours seem a bit long without the light going green ? Do I just need to be patient and not worry ?
Appreciate any advice.
Thanks
I apologize if this post isn’t in the right section.
i purchased my C5 - 2004 convertible less than a month ago. The seller was kind enough to leave a Battery Tender Junior part # 021-0123 with the car.
The car starts right up with the installed Optima battery. For now and until winter sets in I start the car and drive it once a week. Yesterday, I figured I would try attaching the battery tender to see if the battery needed a charge. The tender was plugged in for 8 hours with solid red light. I unplugged it prior to bedtime as I was hesitant leaving it overnight without being able to monitor.
From anyone’s experience does the 8 hours seem a bit long without the light going green ? Do I just need to be patient and not worry ?
Appreciate any advice.
Thanks
