Battery Tender Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 17
From: Virginia
Battery Tender Question
My battery was dead on my C6 a few months ago after sitting for about 2 months- I know I should have had a tender on it 
- Anyway, I charged the battery, and put the tender on it.
The car fired right up during a test about a month ago--- but I notice that even if I briefly open the door to get something from inside, and relock it, the steady green light on the tender flashes noting it is charging the battery.
I guess I am surprised that it is flashing from unlocking, opening, and then relocking the car. I have not driven the car to test it, nor actually tested the battery... but does this seem normal, or should I plan on replacing the battery?
Thanks!
Nate
- Anyway, I charged the battery, and put the tender on it.The car fired right up during a test about a month ago--- but I notice that even if I briefly open the door to get something from inside, and relock it, the steady green light on the tender flashes noting it is charging the battery.
I guess I am surprised that it is flashing from unlocking, opening, and then relocking the car. I have not driven the car to test it, nor actually tested the battery... but does this seem normal, or should I plan on replacing the battery?
Thanks!
Nate
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
My battery was dead on my C6 a few months ago after sitting for about 2 months- I know I should have had a tender on it - Anyway, I charged the battery, and put the tender on it.
The car fired right up during a test about a month ago--- but I notice that even if I briefly open the door to get something from inside, and relock it, the steady green light on the tender flashes noting it is charging the battery.
I guess I am surprised that it is flashing from unlocking, opening, and then relocking the car. I have not driven the car to test it, nor actually tested the battery... but does this seem normal, or should I plan on replacing the battery?
Thanks!
Nate
- Anyway, I charged the battery, and put the tender on it.The car fired right up during a test about a month ago--- but I notice that even if I briefly open the door to get something from inside, and relock it, the steady green light on the tender flashes noting it is charging the battery.
I guess I am surprised that it is flashing from unlocking, opening, and then relocking the car. I have not driven the car to test it, nor actually tested the battery... but does this seem normal, or should I plan on replacing the battery?
Thanks!
Nate
San
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis Indiana
That is common on a battery tender. The microprocessor inside does not know you have opened the door, so it thinks it should come out of float mode and start providing more charge. It will cycle through its charge algorithm again, then go back to float mode. If your battery was fully discharged a while back, like the other person mentioned, it could have been compromised, but it just as easily may not have been.
A quick test of your battery would be to turn on the ignition switch and headlights without actually starting the car. If it holds up well for several minutes, your battery is probably good. Load testing won't tell you everything, but I would bet you are fine.
A quick test of your battery would be to turn on the ignition switch and headlights without actually starting the car. If it holds up well for several minutes, your battery is probably good. Load testing won't tell you everything, but I would bet you are fine.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I would bet you are fine, too. Mine is a Schumacher. All I have to do is open the door, close it, and the maintainer goes back to charging again, but it only stays on charging for a very short time, like 5 minutes, if that. I guess it knows just how much it wants in there. My batt. is 3.5 yrs. old and still works well with only one complete discharge 3 months into ownership.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 17
From: Virginia
I would bet you are fine, too. Mine is a Schumacher. All I have to do is open the door, close it, and the maintainer goes back to charging again, but it only stays on charging for a very short time, like 5 minutes, if that. I guess it knows just how much it wants in there. My batt. is 3.5 yrs. old and still works well with only one complete discharge 3 months into ownership.
I can not wait for the weather breaks here in NOVA.... we are getting close!!!
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,888
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
My battery was dead on my C6 a few months ago after sitting for about 2 months- I know I should have had a tender on it - Anyway, I charged the battery, and put the tender on it.
The car fired right up during a test about a month ago--- but I notice that even if I briefly open the door to get something from inside, and relock it, the steady green light on the tender flashes noting it is charging the battery.
I guess I am surprised that it is flashing from unlocking, opening, and then relocking the car. I have not driven the car to test it, nor actually tested the battery... but does this seem normal, or should I plan on replacing the battery?
Thanks!
Nate
- Anyway, I charged the battery, and put the tender on it.The car fired right up during a test about a month ago--- but I notice that even if I briefly open the door to get something from inside, and relock it, the steady green light on the tender flashes noting it is charging the battery.
I guess I am surprised that it is flashing from unlocking, opening, and then relocking the car. I have not driven the car to test it, nor actually tested the battery... but does this seem normal, or should I plan on replacing the battery?
Thanks!
Nate
