Battery Charge
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: Fairfax Station Virginia
Battery Charge
How important is it to keep a trickle charge on the battery for times when the weather doesn't allow for safe driving for short periods of time say a week or longer? I did not purchase the factory trickle charger but do have a regular trickle charger that I could hook up?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
If you decide to use something make sure it ISN'T a trickle charger. Those will destroy the battery in a short time.
You want a Battery Maintainer, like Battery Tender, Schumacher, CTEK (the factory maintainer is a CTEK), etc.
Because of all the constantly on computer time, these cars will run down a battery in "usually" about 3 weeks. Some only go a week, some more than 3. In my opinion, if you know you won't be driving the car for a week or more you should use a "maintainer".
You want a Battery Maintainer, like Battery Tender, Schumacher, CTEK (the factory maintainer is a CTEK), etc.
Because of all the constantly on computer time, these cars will run down a battery in "usually" about 3 weeks. Some only go a week, some more than 3. In my opinion, if you know you won't be driving the car for a week or more you should use a "maintainer".
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
If you decide to use something make sure it ISN'T a trickle charger. Those will destroy the battery in a short time.
You want a Battery Maintainer, like Battery Tender, Schumacher, CTEK (the factory maintainer is a CTEK), etc.
Because of all the constantly on computer time, these cars will run down a battery in "usually" about 3 weeks. Some only go a week, some more than 3. In my opinion, if you know you won't be driving the car for a week or more you should use a "maintainer".
You want a Battery Maintainer, like Battery Tender, Schumacher, CTEK (the factory maintainer is a CTEK), etc.
Because of all the constantly on computer time, these cars will run down a battery in "usually" about 3 weeks. Some only go a week, some more than 3. In my opinion, if you know you won't be driving the car for a week or more you should use a "maintainer".
Elmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 590
From: Tellico Plains Tennessee
I've never used any charger on my '15. Its sat for a month without starting several times and always started without hesitation. I'm sure as the battery ages that period will shorten but so far I haven't noticed anything. The C7 doesn't drain as bad as the C6 did.
I won't disagree that a maintainer will prolong the overall life a bit though.
I won't disagree that a maintainer will prolong the overall life a bit though.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,942
Likes: 12,356
From: NE South Carolina
How important is it to keep a trickle charge on the battery for times when the weather doesn't allow for safe driving for short periods of time say a week or longer? I did not purchase the factory trickle charger but do have a regular trickle charger that I could hook up?
Posters have said they have had their car parked for ~4 weeks but I would be consider using a charger after ~3! That assumes your driving 75 to 100 miles a week to get the battery charged. If your just making 2 miles trips to the store that won't do it!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,265
Likes: 8,542
From: Rochester, NY
Certainly a battery tender hooked up even during a weeks downtime will do more good than harm. Since it so easy to hook up using the rear outlet I keep mine on the tender whenever the car is not being used.
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
My issue is short drives. I use the car for vacations and such but my normal usage worries me about the length of time to fully charge the battery. With that in mind, I always hook up the C-Tek when I park it in the garage.
Elmer
Elmer
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
My C6 had battery issues. I don't even bother with the maintainer on my C7 unless I'm parking it for a month or more, which is rare. Whatever the problem was in the C6 was fixed in the C7.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Fairfax Station Virginia
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 553
Likes: 309
From: Colorado
The Corvette battery tender I believe is made by CTEK,
If you want to get one then look at CTEK models at Amazon and other online stores as you will find several models and at a lower price than what Chevrolet charges.
If you want to get one then look at CTEK models at Amazon and other online stores as you will find several models and at a lower price than what Chevrolet charges.
