Battery Tender Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 5
From: Garner North Carolina
Battery Tender Question
I just recieved my new Optima Red Top and Wanted to Know if I should keep the battery tender on it any time I am not driving....She is an occasional driver and has had battery drain problems in the past....Is it gonna hurt the new battery to hook a tender to it right away?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,290
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From: Willow Springs IL
Optima's are great batteries when they are hooked up to a tender. My old Z06 had the same optima for over 5 years with no issues. I did keep it hooked up though like others said if it was going to sit for more than a week or so. Optima's tend to go dead rather quickly when left sitting.
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Jackson NJ
I just recieved my new Optima Red Top and Wanted to Know if I should keep the battery tender on it any time I am not driving....She is an occasional driver and has had battery drain problems in the past....Is it gonna hurt the new battery to hook a tender to it right away?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Upstate NY
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Woodland Hills Utah
By keeping the battery at full charge it prolongs the overall life of the battery. Got over 5 years out of a motorcycle battery this way (which is almost unheard of without a tender) and it was still going strong when I replaced it before a long trip, just to be sure. I do the same with my boat and ATVs. 
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 663
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From: Pocono's Pa.
Bought a new battery for the 'vette a couple of months ago and immediately hooked up the battery tender. It's been sitting ever since, ready to go. Also as stated above, if it sits more that a few days...plug it in.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
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From: Springfield MO
I had a Red Top in my 1998 C5 and kept a cheap Harbor Freight float charger on it 24/7. When I traded the C5 off for my 09 Z06, the red top was 8+ years old and still cranked the car with no drama. I use the Harbor Freight float chargers on my 56, 64, 09 Z06 vettes and my rider mower.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
I just recieved my new Optima Red Top and Wanted to Know if I should keep the battery tender on it any time I am not driving....She is an occasional driver and has had battery drain problems in the past....Is it gonna hurt the new battery to hook a tender to it right away?
Go Heels!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 1
From: Winterville NC
Tender
I drive it, park it, and tender it. I drive it, park it, and tender it. Never had any problems. I may drive 1/2/3 days in a row, or drive one day and not drive it for 1 week. Either way I put it on the tender. I must say mine is a C6-06 with original battery from factory. Never had any issue's.
TIM$VETT
TIM$VETT
Safety Car
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From: Providence Forge, VA
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