DoCho

Hi,
pardon me if this is a stupid question but I'm storing the Vette for the winter and am a little confused about the battery tender. The car will be stored under and open shelter with car cover so I CAN NOT leave the back hatch slightly open using the cigarette lighter option. In the past with other vehicles even with ones with battery in the trunk, I've been able to use a standard battery tender using the charging posts under the hood..... is this still possible and is there some room to drop the cord through some open space around the engine compartment? I like the rear cigarette lighter option but not if I have to leave the hatch slightly open outdoors. Plus a regular battery tender inside engine compartment will keep it safe from theft.....
any thoughts and advice would be helpful. Haven't bought a new battery tender yet either so recommendations would be appreciated.
THANKS in advance.

vbdenny

I'd put the charger inside the trunk of the car and just run a slim extension cord inside. The trunk will close without a problem. Open shelter in BC, man oh man, calling that tough. Best.

DoCho

I've heard that it won't damage the seal if I do that.... it's a good option. And yes it's a car shelter just open on the front... but in Vancouver, it rarely snows and if it does, it's gone next day. I'd still like to hear more about the under hood option using the charging posts....

vbdenny

Okay but with both the battery and the hot plug in the back, very simple. I keep the charger on mine every time I park it. Assuming you'll park face in, if the sun hits the back, you might get by with a solar charge which plugs in to hot socket. To keep a basic charge, you might get by with that. I bought one on amazon 40us.

DoCho

I back in and it won't be moved for 4 months. Just not 100% convinced of sealing the hatch with a chord hanging out. But... what brand of charger do you recommend for that hatch option... I've heard the CTEK 3300 is ok, then there's the original GM brand... under hood I've always used the original Battery Tender Plus, but I've heard the junior option will just do fine also.... not sure if the AGM battery makes a difference on the charger.

Foosh

You can close the hatch without any concern about damage to the CTEK cord or weather-stripping. I've done it for years, and you can still move the cord in and out with the hatch closed, which is a good indication it's not causing any harm.

The CTEK 3300 is what GM sells as the "Battery Protection Package." However, I'd purchase the CTEK 4.3 MUS, which is a better maintainer for less than GM charges for the 3300. It has the same gauge power supply cord, but you'll need the 12v adapter, which is still cheaper as a package than GM charges. Or, you can wire it directly to the battery, and leave the plug-in hanging out of the battery compartment cover.

A Battery Tender Plus will also work equally well, with the same gauge cord, and you can purchase a plug-in adapter for the rear port. AGM or standard battery makes no difference on a low amp maintainer like the CTEKs or BTs.

DoCho

Thanks Foosh, didn't realize that the GM was the same CTEK 3300.... and I'm sure the cable would be fine as its though rubber.... I'm more concerned about the hatch seal and weather it will bounce back out let in water later. Also, can I safely leave the charger inside the hatch of a locked car? And just have the power cord sticking out?

Foosh

No, I wouldn't worry about it. Lubricate the weather-stripping w/ Aerospace 303 before you put it to bed and forget about it.

It's most likely not a problem to leave the maintainer inside the car, but I'd prefer not to do that. Supposedly, they fail safe without fire danger, but one never knows. I'd rather leave it under the car, and cover with a plastic bucket or something.

Maxie2U

I have plugged in my battery tender and completely close the hatch for two years now. No damage or deformation of either the hatch seal or the tender cord.

DoCho

Thanks guys...i think I'll do that... didn't realize CTEK 3300 and others were so pricy. The original Deltran Battery Tenders are way more inexpensive. I'll call GM tomorrow and see what those are worth.

c54u

You can always remove your battery and bring it inside.

DoCho

I appreciate the input c54u, but that defeats the purpose; of having the vehicle alarmed outside and having to reset all the memory settings afterwards.

blackc7z51

Maybe this helps

mschuyler

Just checked amazon. A CTEK 4.3 costs $63. A 3300 costs $56.00 A Deltran 1.25amp costs $50. Same ballpark if you ask me, plus the 4.3 does a whole lot more. Take a good look at the features of both.

dbdave

Mine sits on a lift all winter. It's a '14 so I run the maintainer dc cords up to the under hood connections behind the front wheel well up through the right side to the terminals, one behind the fuse block and the ground on the right front frame. Works just fine.

millpond

This works well:

Jeffer

that is what I do. Jeff

ProudZowner

Now that's a LONG winter!!

Bob_Ash

In late November, I stored my 2016 C7 Stingray, and connected the Corvette Battery Tender to the car. I inserted the plug into receptacle in hatch area, plugged in battery tender, closed hatch and left it plugged in. Today, about 8 weeks since I left it, the outside temp got over 40 F, so I took it out for a drive. I disconnected the battery tender, and when I started the car it barely turned over before catching. I drove about 10 miles until the coolant and oil temperatures were in the normal range. I stopped for a few minutes, and when I started it, there was very little juice in the battery, but it did start and run fine. I got home after driving another 10 miles or so, and when I got it into the garage, I turned it off and re-started it and it turned over easily. That seems like the classic definition of a battery that was NOT on a tender, and needed a drive to recharge the battery.

When I plugged in the tender to the outlet in the hatch, then plugged in the tender to 110V, I noticed that only the green "on" LED was lit. I circled the only active LED in the photo. None of the 3 LEDs on the upper row light up. So, either I have a defective tender, or the hatch receptacle isn't connected to the battery. Any ideas?

JerryU

Yes there is! Not stupid question. Don't have to follow the crowd!
You can use your battery charger on the posts mentioned below and save money.
Picture is worth a 1000 words so here it is! Direct answer to the OPs question!




For long term storage this works fine. Carefully remove the plastic cover and expose the threaded rod holding the power to the front fuse panel. DON'T remove the nut, add another with a ring terminal below. If using an alligator clip BE SURE it does not touch a grounded member. Ground clip can go on any grounded bolt.