I doubt that the 2011 models have a standard charger.
2011 battery maintainer
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: West Milford NJ
I just purchased a 2010. I also looked at info for the 2011. The only new item that interested me on the 2011 was the battery maintainer. It was not a standard item. If I remember correctly it was about $100 but would not have early availability. I do not know if it is a stand alone item or already installed in the engine compartment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
Likes: 14
From: Iowa
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 27
From: West Des Moines Ia
I was told by my dealer that the battery tender is an option and the cost is $100. I was also told it comes from the factory so it is not a dealer installed item. I also just read something recently where this will be available later on and not at the beginning of the model year. I never did ask about the part number.... I just went back to the 100 plus page order guide ant it calls this The Battery Protection Package and under the free flow RPO column it says ERI, whatever that means...
Last edited by PaulB; Jul 12, 2010 at 10:00 AM. Reason: Additional Info
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Unless your car is going into hibernation for the winter chances are you won't need any battery 'maintainer.' I've never had any starting or battery issues with my 2005 (even with extended down time during the hot Arizona summer months when our track season goes on hiatus). No harm in getting one and it might even be helpful but it might not be necessary. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
Likes: 14
From: Iowa
Unless your car is going into hibernation for the winter chances are you won't need any battery 'maintainer.' I've never had any starting or battery issues with my 2005 (even with extended down time during the hot Arizona summer months when our track season goes on hiatus). No harm in getting one and it might even be helpful but it might not be necessary.
It is true that I live in a cold winter area but my battery was failing in the autumn before it got very cold at all.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 27
From: West Des Moines Ia
Most of the C6 friends I know of and also those here on the Forum have had battery problems within a month if a tender is not used. And then some people dont ever seem to have any battery issues. I also read recently that the Heat is sometimes worse than the cold on the life span of a battery....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 92
From: Florida
2026 Restomod of the Year Finalist
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Just go and buy a non "Corvette" maintainer. They don't have a history of going bad or breaking (unless you drop it) and you can buy 2 or three new ones for the price GM is asking for one of theirs.
I just started using one on my cars because I swap back and forth driving my 2010 Callaway GS and my 2009 XLR-V. Sometimes it can be a month or two before I switch to the car that is on the top side of my lift and have had DBS a couple times. No more worries and simple to use....
I just started using one on my cars because I swap back and forth driving my 2010 Callaway GS and my 2009 XLR-V. Sometimes it can be a month or two before I switch to the car that is on the top side of my lift and have had DBS a couple times. No more worries and simple to use....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
Likes: 14
From: Iowa
Just go and buy a non "Corvette" maintainer. They don't have a history of going bad or breaking (unless you drop it) and you can buy 2 or three new ones for the price GM is asking for one of theirs.
I just started using one on my cars because I swap back and forth driving my 2010 Callaway GS and my 2009 XLR-V. Sometimes it can be a month or two before I switch to the car that is on the top side of my lift and have had DBS a couple times. No more worries and simple to use....
I just started using one on my cars because I swap back and forth driving my 2010 Callaway GS and my 2009 XLR-V. Sometimes it can be a month or two before I switch to the car that is on the top side of my lift and have had DBS a couple times. No more worries and simple to use....
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,025
Likes: 2,716
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Unless your car is going into hibernation for the winter chances are you won't need any battery 'maintainer.' I've never had any starting or battery issues with my 2005 (even with extended down time during the hot Arizona summer months when our track season goes on hiatus). No harm in getting one and it might even be helpful but it might not be necessary.
Sadly, from what I've read around here, your experience seems to be the exception rather than the rule. I had to finally get a maintainer and using it has really saved a newer battery that was going bad in my '05. I definitely recommend getting one.
It is true that I live in a cold winter area but my battery was failing in the autumn before it got very cold at all.
It is true that I live in a cold winter area but my battery was failing in the autumn before it got very cold at all.
Our 2001 went about 4 yrs/55k miles before an electrical problem completely drained the battery and killed it. Our 2006 was involved in an accident and the flashers left on until the battery died, insurance paid for a new one. Our 2009 was made almost 2 years/20k miles ago, battery still fine. I put a new battery in the grocery-getters every 4-5 years, haven't had a battery failure in the last 25 years.
In our club, it seems that about half of the battery failures, original or replacements, happen within the first six months, the others happen after 4 years.
But, YMMV!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 92
From: Florida
2026 Restomod of the Year Finalist
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I'd like my battery to last forever, but I also want a hint that it's about to die. Our Corvettes have always been daily drivers, and we've had good luck without a tender. You could say that each day is a new battery test. Of course, a sudden open cell or shorted cell won't give any warning to us, but using a tender probably wouldn't help that either.
Our 2001 went about 4 yrs/55k miles before an electrical problem completely drained the battery and killed it. Our 2006 was involved in an accident and the flashers left on until the battery died, insurance paid for a new one. Our 2009 was made almost 2 years/20k miles ago, battery still fine. I put a new battery in the grocery-getters every 4-5 years, haven't had a battery failure in the last 25 years.
In our club, it seems that about half of the battery failures, original or replacements, happen within the first six months, the others happen after 4 years.
But, YMMV!
Our 2001 went about 4 yrs/55k miles before an electrical problem completely drained the battery and killed it. Our 2006 was involved in an accident and the flashers left on until the battery died, insurance paid for a new one. Our 2009 was made almost 2 years/20k miles ago, battery still fine. I put a new battery in the grocery-getters every 4-5 years, haven't had a battery failure in the last 25 years.
In our club, it seems that about half of the battery failures, original or replacements, happen within the first six months, the others happen after 4 years.
But, YMMV!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 92
From: Florida
2026 Restomod of the Year Finalist
2025 Restomod of the Year Finalist
While I agree that the Corvette maintainer will be more expensive, I would go this way if it was offered because then any issues the electrical system had (including the maintainer) would be under warranty. It also depends on how it is implemented. Most of the decent maintainers I've seen that can be built-in would be in the $50-$70 range.
However, like I said we are not talking about a lot of money for the Corvette sponsored one (somewhere close 200 bucks I hear) so if it gives you a little piece of mind then I guess it's money well spent.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove MN
The corvette battery maintainer is just a CTEK 3300 that has been privately labeled Corvette. I would just pick up the CTEK for half the price - I have had one for 2 years now and love it for winter storage.
I will try to find the pictures of the corvette one to prove my point.
edit: I was wrong - its actually the CTEK 800 which is the lower end model - available on Crutchfield.com for $50
only difference is that the corvette one comes with the cigarette lighter plug instead of the battery terminal plug that is standard with the Ctek
I will try to find the pictures of the corvette one to prove my point.
edit: I was wrong - its actually the CTEK 800 which is the lower end model - available on Crutchfield.com for $50
only difference is that the corvette one comes with the cigarette lighter plug instead of the battery terminal plug that is standard with the Ctek
Last edited by ArcticLS3; Jul 12, 2010 at 11:10 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 29
From: Lakewood Ranch Florida
I purchased my first Deltran Battery Tender in the early 80s to use on my Harley. The bike was garaged all winter in an attached but unheated garage. My original motive was that I didn't want to bring the battery in to the house every winter. Over the years I discovered that continual use of the device extended the service life of the battery.
After about 10 years, the maintainer fell off the seat, onto the floor (my fault, clearly) and the led indicator went out. However, the unit seemed to work otherwise. I called their customer service - explained what happened and inquired if the unit could/would still work when the indicator light was out. Long story short, they ended up sending me a new one. ??? I didn't expect it, I didn't ask for it, but I was certainly impressed by their act. I highly recommend Deltran Battery Tenders.
Save the Wave
Today, I hook up my C6 whenever its home in the garage.
After about 10 years, the maintainer fell off the seat, onto the floor (my fault, clearly) and the led indicator went out. However, the unit seemed to work otherwise. I called their customer service - explained what happened and inquired if the unit could/would still work when the indicator light was out. Long story short, they ended up sending me a new one. ??? I didn't expect it, I didn't ask for it, but I was certainly impressed by their act. I highly recommend Deltran Battery Tenders.
Save the Wave
Today, I hook up my C6 whenever its home in the garage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 6
So, with the ERI option you have to keep the window rolled down so an extension wire can run outside to an outlet? Why isn't this directly attached to the battery with a hidden plug-in outside the car? This really rates as a stupid design.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 80
From: Florida
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 13
From: St. Marys Ohio
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Tom Hendricks tom@budschevy.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buds-Chevrolet-Buick-Corvette/176730955684255?ref=hl
Corvette Specialist Since 1993
BUDS CHEVROLET
St. Marys, Ohio
800-688-2837
WEBSITE WWW.BUDSCHEVY.COM
HOURS MON-WED 7:00AM - 5:00PM
FFRIDAY AND SATURDAY BY APPT.
OFF THURSDAYS
NCRS # 23758 Miami Valley Chapter ( Ohio )
NCM Founding Member #1143
NADA Classic Car Guide Advisiory Board Member
C5/C6 Registry Corporate Member # 5
My Corvettes. 63, 71, 73, 78.