Question: Battery charging while in car
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 256
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From: Palmer Alaska
Question: Battery charging while in car
I am storing the Vette in my heated garage for the winter. I bought a CTEK charger for the battery (which is a GM AGM battery). I was planning to leave the battery in the car, but was wondering if gas ventilation would be an issue with the hood shut and a cover on the car. I planned on routing the charger wires around the gasket so the hood would shut OK, but I'm worried about gas building up in the battery compartment if I do it this way. Any thoughts? 
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
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From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I've never had a problem and I don't believe you need to worry about it. I don't close the hood, its just resting on the latches. The hood light is out. I cover with a breathable indoor car cover. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Yep.. plus, a good charger will not gas a battery as it will cut off when the battery is fully charged.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 256
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From: Palmer Alaska
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Toledo Ohio
I am storing the Vette in my heated garage for the winter. I bought a CTEK charger for the battery (which is a GM AGM battery). I was planning to leave the battery in the car, but was wondering if gas ventilation would be an issue with the hood shut and a cover on the car. I planned on routing the charger wires around the gasket so the hood would shut OK, but I'm worried about gas building up in the battery compartment if I do it this way. Any thoughts?
Thats what i do!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
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From: Memphis Tennessee
You should not get any gassing with a "smart" charger. The claim to need ventilation and such is probably just overkill to avoid legal action if one loses its mind and overcharges.
Buy a good tender and check for heat from time to time. Afterall, you surely pull the cover off from time to time just to take a look.....don't you?
Buy a good tender and check for heat from time to time. Afterall, you surely pull the cover off from time to time just to take a look.....don't you?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Palmer Alaska
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Even if gassing occurs it is not a problem as long as there is no spark. Before doing anything with the charger just open the hood and the hydrogen gas will rise (it is lighter than air). In the larger volume of your garage the hydrogen percentage will not be high enough to support combustion. Once the hood has been open for a minute or so you can safely do something with the car.
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You shouldn't have any problems - I've kept my battery connected to a Battery Tender and the car covered for a number of years with no adverse effects.
