Battery tender
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4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
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Battery tender
I just plugged in my battery tender for my c7. Do I just leave it plugged in until I'm ready to start it? Can I leave it plugged in to my hatch charger for 2-3 months.? Starting it maybe 1time a month?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
At each oil change, I would have a sample analyzed by Blackstone. Samples taken after the "winter startup routine" showed the same results as samples taken from "summer run only". And the engine was still running strong when traded.
EDIT:
I've heard of oil samples taken after a winter storage without starting, showing higher than normal iron levels after running the engine in Spring. Presumably, rust on the cylinder walls getting scrubbed off when the engine is finally started. But not enough data to know how common or how harmful that is.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Dec 8, 2017 at 09:43 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 300
Likes: 184
During the 8 years/102k miles we owned our C6, I would start it once every week or two during the winter storage. Differently from most, I would let it idle for about 20 minutes while I exercised every single switch and control in the cockpit, during which time the oil would get to about 180'F. Then drive it up and down our 150' driveway a few times in different gears.
At each oil change, I would have a sample analyzed by Blackstone. Samples taken after the "winter startup routine" showed the same results as samples taken from "summer run only". And the engine was still running strong when traded.
At each oil change, I would have a sample analyzed by Blackstone. Samples taken after the "winter startup routine" showed the same results as samples taken from "summer run only". And the engine was still running strong when traded.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
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I would start it once every week or two during the winter storage. Differently from most, I would let it idle for about 20 minutes while I exercised every single switch and control in the cockpit, during which time the oil would get to about 180'F. Then drive it up and down our 150' driveway a few times in different gears.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 300
Likes: 184
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
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I go out to the garage and start her up every 2 weeks. And if there’s no snow I’ll cruise it. 🙀
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 300
Likes: 184
If you’re going to start it then run it for a while & make sure everything comes up to temp. If you can drive it around, even better. Just don’t fire it up for five minutes because you miss hearing it & shut it down cold.