Battery tender issue??
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Battery tender issue??
Have a '12 GS with a Chev battery tender that came with the car when purchased in May 2012. Just put in my first replacement battery. Performed by local Chevy dealer. Mileage is only 7,500. Drive a "bit" on weekends.
Plugged in battery tender last Sunday when I covered the car for the week (always garage kept). Checked the battery tender this morning to insure it said that my one week old new battery was fully charged. To my surprise it said the battery was NOT fully charged.
Called Chevy dealer to ask if this could be a battery tender issue or something more serious. (They are going to get bank with me on this next week.) The Chevy dealer supposedly checked the electrical system out when they replaced the battery because the car was totally dead and would not start with a battery assist or by jumping.
Suggestions? Is there a way to test the battery tender to see if it is working properly? The car is under factory warranty.
Thanks.
Plugged in battery tender last Sunday when I covered the car for the week (always garage kept). Checked the battery tender this morning to insure it said that my one week old new battery was fully charged. To my surprise it said the battery was NOT fully charged.
Called Chevy dealer to ask if this could be a battery tender issue or something more serious. (They are going to get bank with me on this next week.) The Chevy dealer supposedly checked the electrical system out when they replaced the battery because the car was totally dead and would not start with a battery assist or by jumping.
Suggestions? Is there a way to test the battery tender to see if it is working properly? The car is under factory warranty.
Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 692
Likes: 61
From: Little Rock AR
I believe that the charger you got with your car is a CTEK Multi US 3300 just marked as Corvette or Chevrolet. I bought and use one but not from Chevrolet for my 2012 Corvette GS. It periodically cycles from green to amber in the "full battery" mode (see the owners manual).
If you are referring to the amber light associated with the full battery indicator, it may be not a charge problem. The tender goes through cycles not associated with charging to assure your battery is "healthy". This is a cycling thing, not necessarily telling your there is any problem but is "pulse maintenance" or "pulse maintenance" . The Chevrolet dealer may have sold you an old battery that is requiring a lot of "desulphation".
See the Owners Manual here
https://smartercharger.com/wp-conten...US-3300_us.pdf
Hope this helps.
George
If you are referring to the amber light associated with the full battery indicator, it may be not a charge problem. The tender goes through cycles not associated with charging to assure your battery is "healthy". This is a cycling thing, not necessarily telling your there is any problem but is "pulse maintenance" or "pulse maintenance" . The Chevrolet dealer may have sold you an old battery that is requiring a lot of "desulphation".
See the Owners Manual here
https://smartercharger.com/wp-conten...US-3300_us.pdf
Hope this helps.
George
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I believe that the charger you got with your car is a CTEK Multi US 3300 just marked as Corvette or Chevrolet. I bought and use one but not from Chevrolet for my 2012 Corvette GS. It periodically cycles from green to amber in the "full battery" mode (see the owners manual).
If you are referring to the amber light associated with the full battery indicator, it may be not a charge problem. The tender goes through cycles not associated with charging to assure your battery is "healthy". This is a cycling thing, not necessarily telling your there is any problem but is "pulse maintenance" or "pulse maintenance" . The Chevrolet dealer may have sold you an old battery that is requiring a lot of "desulphation".
See the Owners Manual here
https://smartercharger.com/wp-conten...US-3300_us.pdf
Hope this helps.
George
If you are referring to the amber light associated with the full battery indicator, it may be not a charge problem. The tender goes through cycles not associated with charging to assure your battery is "healthy". This is a cycling thing, not necessarily telling your there is any problem but is "pulse maintenance" or "pulse maintenance" . The Chevrolet dealer may have sold you an old battery that is requiring a lot of "desulphation".
See the Owners Manual here
https://smartercharger.com/wp-conten...US-3300_us.pdf
Hope this helps.
George
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Think I have it figured out. I have the tender in the car connnected to an extension cord through the window. Since the doors are electric, it uses power to open the doors. Thus, when I enter the car and look at the tender, the 1/2 battery symbol is lit, not the full battery symbol for a full charge because it took a small amount of power to open the door. However, I finally looked at the tender through the window BEFORE I opened the door and the green, full charge symbol was lit. But immediately when I punched the key fob to unlock door, the full charge symbol changed to the charging symbol. I hope after a few minutes, the full charge symbol will show. Hopefully!!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,568
Likes: 594
From: Jefferson City Missouri
I plug mine into the cigarette lighter and run the cord out under the door. There is a notch in the door sill that the cord fits in nicely and you can leave your windows up. My CTEK sits on the garage floor. I still have the original battery in my 13 GS with 36,000 miles on it. The lights will cycle from Green to Amber often.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 333
From: Olmsted Falls Ohio
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '24
Think I have it figured out. I have the tender in the car connnected to an extension cord through the window. Since the doors are electric, it uses power to open the doors. Thus, when I enter the car and look at the tender, the 1/2 battery symbol is lit, not the full battery symbol for a full charge because it took a small amount of power to open the door. However, I finally looked at the tender through the window BEFORE I opened the door and the green, full charge symbol was lit. But immediately when I punched the key fob to unlock door, the full charge symbol changed to the charging symbol. I hope after a few minutes, the full charge symbol will show. Hopefully!!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Think I have it figured out. I have the tender in the car connnected to an extension cord through the window. Since the doors are electric, it uses power to open the doors. Thus, when I enter the car and look at the tender, the 1/2 battery symbol is lit, not the full battery symbol for a full charge because it took a small amount of power to open the door. However, I finally looked at the tender through the window BEFORE I opened the door and the green, full charge symbol was lit. But immediately when I punched the key fob to unlock door, the full charge symbol changed to the charging symbol. I hope after a few minutes, the full charge symbol will show. Hopefully!!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
If you want to be certain your battery is good go to Advance Auto or such and have them check it. That will tell you if your battery is up to its advertised capacity. I use a Battery Minder and opening the door does not send it from maintenance mode to charge mode as if the charge is low. If I leave the door open for a few minutes it will. Your charger may be somewhat more sensitive.
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