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Old 12-28-2016, 04:45 PM
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Default 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?
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Old 12-28-2016, 04:51 PM
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RicK T
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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".
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Old 12-28-2016, 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by RicK T
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".




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Old 12-28-2016, 05:00 PM
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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.
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Old 12-28-2016, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe's Vette
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?
It's NOT! The Service Manual indicates with an 80% battery charge the car can start after ~30 days. Even with a low battery voltage (probably a weak cell) in the 3 years before I changed my battery I was on vacation for 2 to 2 1/2 weeks several times and the car started fine!

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!
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Old 12-28-2016, 07:31 PM
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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.
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Old 12-28-2016, 09:56 PM
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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.

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Old 12-28-2016, 10:06 PM
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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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Old 12-29-2016, 01:12 PM
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My car sits all winter and I use the battery tender. Very simple to use and the car is ALWAYS ready to start when IM ready! Peace of mind my friend...
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Old 12-30-2016, 09:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Blvdbrawler
My car sits all winter and I use the battery tender. Very simple to use and the car is ALWAYS ready to start when IM ready! Peace of mind my friend...
Just ordered one online with accessories so that I can use it on
my other vehicles. Thanks for your help.
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Old 09-07-2021, 01:07 PM
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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.
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Old 09-07-2021, 02:23 PM
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Necro thread of 5 years.
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