mig1980

Good day everyone. I just picked up a 2016 Z06 convertible and love it!

I had a quick question. The battery trickle charger that came with the car, can I connect it, run the cable out to connect to the wall, and shut the trunk lid without fear of damaging the weather seals?

I found a few videos that say it is fine but I wanted to ask those that actually own these cars. I definitely don't want any water leaks, etc in the future.

rmorin1249

No problem. Many do this for weeks at a time, including myself.

millpond

Go for it...no problem:

Thunder22

not a problem, but I would suggest that you keep the chargers and plugs off of the garage floor in case something spills. Also, put something on teh dash or windshield or something that will remind you that the charger is connected so that you don't drive off without disconnecting it.

sTz

I use mine with the hatch closed and have no problems with the seals or cord.

Highway 61

I park mine inside a garage, so I just lower the trunk lid without completely shutting it so it does not make indentions in the weather seals or make an 90 degree bend in the cord when I use it, which is all the time I'm not driving it.

Curahee

If your C7 is garaged, I recommend the above. Even though it probably would do no harm to go ahead and close, why take the chance. Also, over time, I wonder if the cord might rub on the paint due to friction.

Boiler_81

This question has been asked many times. In my experience, there is no issue at all. I have had the hatch closed on the cord for months at a time.

People always say it may permanently deform the seal. To date there have been no reports of this being a real issue. Others have suggested leaving the hatch cracked open. Personally. I think the risk of critters getting in the interior would be greater than permanent deformation of the seal.

Bburr

I don't know why some would completely close the lid, I just stop at the first latch.

rmorin1249

Can't do that with the 2016 or 2017 models. Power latch pulls the lid down. I prefer mine closed and locked.

Bburr

Good Point

Z51 2015

DickieDoo

I just crack the passenger door window a bit and run the plug out the window, nothing is compressed... i do store it indoors, as i believe everyone else on this forum would... and cracking the window allows for a bit ( albeit small) amount of air circulation which is a good thing.

TOY 15

have a new 2016 Z06 convert
if you lower the deck lid SLOWLY
and stop just Before the auto close engages
you can leave deck lid "open" and still use charger

sTz

Because you can... As mentioned, no problems...

Fat Mike

This is a great suggestion. I starting driving once with the charger connection. After that, I place a microfiber towel on the rear quarter panel on the drivers side as a reminder the charger is connected.

l2vette

I am not worried about the rubber trunk weather seal, more concern about the cord itself. The cord gets squished when the trunk lid is closed and could eventually cause a problem with the cord creating a short.

mig1980

Thank you for all your input everyone. A lot of pros and cons to think about.

A part of me wants to keep the hatch closed due to critters getting in and another part of me feels that in time, having the cord compressed between the hatch and the weather seal will cause issues. Any more input is welcomed.

Foosh

I've been closing lids on the same trickle chargers for more than 20 years without ever having a cord issue.

ExRedRacer

Exactly.

My Vette stays in the garage so there's no problem leaving the hatch lowered but not shut. I place a microfiber cloth between the car and the cord so as to not have any problems there.

Boiler_81

Close the lid. Those of us who have closed it have had no issues. The ones who haven't are worrying about a non issue. There has not been one report of the cord deforming the seal.