Mellow- Yellow

Well, it's that time of year again and I have a question on my battery charger. It has a setting on it where it will put out 2 amps. Is it OK to use this as a battery tender or is that too much amperage? I do not want to damage my battery! I do not completely quit using my car during the winter but it may go through 2 or 3 weeks between driving, depending on the weather in Kentucky. I had rather buy a battery tender than damage my battery, of course.

switchplanner

2-3 weeks between drives should not require a battery tender. However, if you want to keep the battery at maximum charge, I suggest a battery tender type charger. A standard battery charger is a no-no and will likely damage your battery and or car.

Jimmy W1

I'm here in Ohio (just north of Cincy) and I have the same problem. I have the Schumacher battery tender and I have the fast charger. I usually don't leave mine on all of the time. If I feel I want to go for a ride, I usually put the tender on a day in advance and it goes on idle when the battery is charged. Or if I think the battery might be getting low, I'll stick the tender on for a day or two. My 2008 Impala usually goes for 2-3 weeks easily without needing a charge.

dvilin

3 weeks without driving may test the limits of the battery, I would definitely purchase a Battery Tender.

AORoads

or get any battery "maintainer" but some of the brands like, Schumacher, Battery Tender, etc. are more readily available at Walmart, Advance Auto, Pep Boys, etc.

btw, here's the description for the Schumacher; check yours to see if it's also a maintainer since this one is 1.5 amps. (found here: http://www.batterychargers.com/Produ...tName=94026717)

Large Image of SEM-1562A
SEM-1562A

1.5A 6/12V Automatic Microprocessor Controlled Charger/Maintainer
Where to Buy

Unique automatic battery charger maintains both 6 and 12 volt batteries keeping them at full charge using float-mode monitoring. Perfect for charging small batteries. Great for maintaining small and large batteries kept in storage – motorcycles, classic cars, RVs, boats • 1.5 amp charger and maintainer • LEDs indicate: Charging, Charged and Trouble • Automatically switches from Full Charge to Float-Mode Monitoring • Quick-Disconnect Harness – Snap either connector into place in seconds – Use the 50 amp clamps or permanently attach the ring connectors…great for hard-to-reach motorcycle batteries • Reverse-hookup protection

LTennant

Use a Battery Tender. I just put one on mine for the winter and it will come off when the snow is finished mid to late March. Been doing this for last three years and no battery problems yet.

cclive

2 amps is too much to leave on all the time. Most tenders are at around a tenth of an amp or so once the battery is charged.

Mellow- Yellow

My charger is a Schumacher Everstart WM-82-6. Is it OK to post a link to one of these on the forum?

caroutisine

If it's a battery tender (float charger) then it can be left on all the time without a problem. Note the 2 amps is probably the maximum output. That is the most current is able to deliver. When the battery reaches float voltage of 14.4-14.7 volts, it will taper the current down to just enough to keep the battery maintained at that float voltage.

Mellow- Yellow

Here is the description on this charger.


6/12 VOLT SCHUMACHER WM-82-6 BATTERY CHARGER
AUTO/MANUAL BATTERY CHARGER AND MAINTAINER. !!!



• 6 / 12 Volt
• 6 Amp Fast Charge – charger monitors battery condition and adjusts charge rate downward to prevent battery damage; for car, small truck, motorcycle, lawn tractor.

• 2 Amp Slow Charge - Maintain Charge

• 6 Volt – for antique cars and small farm tractor batteries.

• 50 Amp Clamps – for top and side-mounted battery posts.

• Float-Mode monitoring - helps maintain battery.

• choose between 6V or 12V batteries

• 6-ft Power and output cords - combine for a 12-ft reach.

Mellow- Yellow

Anyone?

vettman96

If you use it in float mode (?) you should be fine, but the 2amp charge will calcify the plates if left connected longterm

Quick Silver Z

I like the CTEK US 3300 (4 modes).

JoesC5

A float charger is what you want to have in order to maintain your battery for extended periods of time, but you gotta remember to plug it in.

lh4x4

To not just use a tender for storage, the highest and best use of it is to prolong the life of the battery that can only happen when the tender is used 24/7.

Unplug when leaving the garage and replug upon returning. Only takes a few seconds.

Modern cars have more parasitic draw than at any time in the past. So they will slowly drain or if you have On Star much faster. Chevy engineers have stated that a new Corvette standing can discharge in two to three weeks.

If the battery runs down but not to the point it won't start it will get a fast charge from the alternator. The more this cycling goes on the shorter the life of the battery.

With daily use of a tender, it will float the battery at full charge which in turn extends the useful life of the battery.

For the past 10 years I have stored 12 vehicles and have not replaced a battery and never had a failure to start even after a year.

So many fight this issue which is plan stupid. Spend the $20 at Walmart for the 1.5 amp Schumaker tender and have a stress free owners experience with your Corvette. Or keep buying new batteries, towing, bitching or whatever.

Nice Ride

Switchplanner you said 2 or 3 weeks between drives should not be a problem. Glad to hear that works for you but most people say after two weeks the battery should be on a tender. I go two weeks between drives frequently and except for an occasional trip my outings are of short duration. Not sure my car is on the road long enough to fully charge the battery. I'm not saying you are wrong just as a general rule letting these cars sit a third week without a tender is a risk. Just sayin.

AORoads

greg, I read the description on that e site and see that it's also listed as an "everstart". if it were me, I'd call schumacher*, a very reputable company, and ask the question if this is a float charger. the 2 amps is higher than most "maintainers".

per the model number and picture on that e site, I can't find it on schumacher's website altho the SE-82-6 appears to be the closest but says nothing about "maintaining" a battery. (http://www.batterychargers.com/Produ...ame=94026508AL)

* here's their customer service number: 1-800-621-5485

(Monday through Friday between 7:00am - 5:00pm CST)

MKenM

I guess that I was lazy and ordered the battery charger with my GS. I assume since the manual says US3300 that it is a CTEK.

Here are a couple of pages from the manual.




Sounds like it will do a great job. I paid $80.00 without knowing what the make or model was (that's what happens when you are a newbie) I saw it on Amazon for $57.00.

If it doesn't work I'll let you know but I assume it will do a great job.

Marc V.

I must have a mis-built car.

2007 coupe with original battery. I never used a battery tender, and it sits for several weeks at a time in the winter. Starts every time.

Although I will probably replace the battery in the spring now that it's 5 years old.

TOBASCO

The BEST charger on the market