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I've been out of the C6 world for a few years and just picked up another. I'm curious what is the preferred setup for a trickle charger/maintainer? Previously, I ran a Deltran Battery Tender Jr. with a cord that went directly to my cigarette lighter. That worked fine but, wasn't sure if going direct to the battery is optimal? If folks are running direct to their battery, I'm curious how you are routing the wiring connection out of the bumper, presumably above the license plate. Thanks in advance.
I run C-Tek and have for years. They work really well. I haven't ran my connection out of the bumper, though, but I might in the future with an extension. For now, it's just connected under the hood.
Since I only occasionally plug in a trickle charger, I decided I would continually forget (and rip the wires when I back out) if it was plugged in at the front grill. So I mounted it right at the driver's door. Can't miss it.
C-Tek is mounted to a pvc pipe attached to and plugged in at the ceiling garage opener. High enough to clear head and to hang wire on when not in use. Plugs in at wiper arm.
I've heard good thinks about C-Tek. I need to run my cable either out the door(cigarette lighter) or out the back of my bumper(direct to battery) since this car sits under another on my lift. I'm unable to open the hood easily... Thanks
I've been out of the C6 world for a few years and just picked up another. I'm curious what is the preferred setup for a trickle charger/maintainer? Previously, I ran a Deltran Battery Tender Jr. with a cord that went directly to my cigarette lighter. That worked fine but, wasn't sure if going direct to the battery is optimal? If folks are running direct to their battery, I'm curious how you are routing the wiring connection out of the bumper, presumably above the license plate. Thanks in advance.
As you suggested "I ran a Deltran Battery Tender Jr. with a cord that went directly to my cigarette lighter" , works great. Even better is connect directly to the battery or fuse box in engine compartment. .Buy a deltran extension cord to make things easier and cleaner. Just use some zip ties to existing wiring in engine compartment to secure. I ran the end out one of the openings in the grill instead of bumper. Zip tie the cap to the grill and attach end to that. You can reverse it back through the opening beside. This will almost keep it barely visible. Just pull it out when you want to connect. Easy and clean. I keep the actual tender attached to the garage wall.
Last edited by oldcanuck; Nov 18, 2024 at 12:42 PM.
I run C-Tek and have for years. They work really well. I haven't ran my connection out of the bumper, though, but I might in the future with an extension. For now, it's just connected under the hood.
I used the same connection points on mine for my Deltran Battery Tender, but I got a small extension, and ran it out the grill where I zip tied it to the grill. It works fine.
I use a magnetic connector in front grill opening and attached like pictured above wired to fuse block and ground. Auto disconnects when I back out of garage.
There's lots of ways to hook up a maintainer, no one best. This has worked well for me, YMMV.
Magnetic connector mounted in the grill and hardwired to the fuse box
Easy 5 sec hookup even with the car cover on.
NOCO 10amp charger/maintainer provides the juice. Always a nice hot battery.
This is the first Vette I've put a battery tender on. On my C4 I had a battery disconnect on it, and shut off the battery when it wasn't to be driven for a while. The issue I saw with the C6 us the electric door locks. I bought a longer car side wiring and wired it to the battery cable lugs, worked the wire up front and between the wheel well and radiator. It was then zip tied to the grill so it can be hooked up even with the hood closed. I figured this way if the trickle charger puts out enough juice, it will open the doors if needed. If not, I have the original wire and can hook it up to a battery charger to open the doors then the hood. Hope that helps.
This is the first Vette I've put a battery tender on. On my C4 I had a battery disconnect on it, and shut off the battery when it wasn't to be driven for a while. The issue I saw with the C6 us the electric door locks. I bought a longer car side wiring and wired it to the battery cable lugs, worked the wire up front and between the wheel well and radiator. It was then zip tied to the grill so it can be hooked up even with the hood closed. I figured this way if the trickle charger puts out enough juice, it will open the doors if needed. If not, I have the original wire and can hook it up to a battery charger to open the doors then the hood. Hope that helps.
Are you aware that there is a keyhole above the rear license plate that will pop the rear hatch, and there's a cable you can pull to open the driver's side door?
Tender on the wall, adapter connected directly to the battery (my battery is in the rear). Cord just hangs out the hatch (I can leave it cracked open or close it, doesn't matter, but I usually leave it cracked open...interior light will shut off after a minute).
Trickle Charger Setup?
I used the same connection points on mine for my Deltran Battery Tender, but I got a small extension, and ran it out the grill where I zip tied it to the grill. It works fine.
