I've learned batteries on C5 Vettes drain when the cars are driven infrequently - weekend cruisers. In that regard, does anyone have a recommendation on a good battery tender i.e. brand/product/good place to buy?
Thanks.

 

Ctek 3300

 

Ctek

 

Ive used the Battery Tender junior for the past decade with no problems.

 

I have no doubt that CTEK makes an excellent charger, the C7's come with a CTEK charger if you order the Battery Protection Package. Deltran (Battery Tender) also make a charger that is highly thought of here. Both are worth considering. My C7 came with the CTEK charger and works just fine.

The maintainer that I have been using for almost 20 years now is called the BatteryMINDer Plus. I started using them originally because they also function to reduce sulfate deposits on the lead plates in a lead acid battery. This is more of a problem for normal wet cell batteries than AGM or Gel batteries, but I have continued to use them based on my experience with them.

Northern Tool is currently selling the latest version of the BatteryMINDer Plus on sale for $25. Less than a CTEK or a Deltran Battery Tender, but despite it's price I believe it's a good value and safe to use.


Full-time battery monitoring automatically tests battery continually, supplying only the current needed to maintain battery at full charge
The 8-stage unit charges and maintains from 1 to 4 batteries at a time (12V batteries parallel-connected or two 6V batteries series-connected. NOTE: Never connect 2 or more batteries together in parallel before fully charging each and checking their condition. Failure to fully charge each battery and check their condition can result in a serious safety hazard)

Regardless of which 'charger' you buy, I would insist on a 'maintainer' and not a 'trickle' charger. A maintainer maintains battery voltage by topping it off, then turning itself off until battery voltage drops to a preset voltage, when it turns itself back on. This is how it maintains battery voltage. A trickle charger does not work this way, it simply supplies power to a battery at a constant voltage. The maintainers will not recharge a dead battery, they're not intended to. Some will not even turn on if the battery is below a certain level or falls below a certain level. I believe that the CTEK and the Battery Tender's are both considered maintainers.

Most maintainers come with multiple ways of connection to the vehicle via plug in extensions. From alligator clips, to lighter adapters and even a pigtail that can be attached semi-permanently to the vehicles electrical system.




Good luck... GUSTO

 

I use a ctek with the cigarette lighter plug in. Super easy to use and works great.

 

Whatever came with my C6 Z06 is also a Cigarette Lighter plug-in type. I went out-of-state for 53 days and zero issues upon return. Started right up.

 

CTEK (56-353 MULTI US 7002 with the cigarette lighter attachment. I have been using it for the last 5 years.

 

You may want to take a look at this Post.

 

I've used a Battery Tender Plus by Deltron for 17 years during winter storage of my 02 Vette with no problems at all. I have 122,000 miles on the car and am using my second battery.

 

I appreciate everyone's input and advice. I recently purchased another Vette and value the collective wisdom of this forums members!.