Battery Tender
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 554
From: Scottsdale AZ
Battery Tender
I have a battery tender, Porsche branded, that I used on my 911. It's the plug into the cigarete lighter type, this would work exactly the same on vette....in the battery charge port of course....right? I would think its exactly the same. Any issues using this?
https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/95504490054.html
https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/95504490054.html
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 420
From: Eastern NC
Any 12volt tender will work. I have a few John Deere ones on my bikes that work great and were cheap bc thats where I work. On the C7 I scored a cheap cteck branded one and its been treating me well also. The branding means nothing once you get past the logo's.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The C6 & C7 branded tenders are missing a couple of buttons that the stock CTEK tenders have. No Low Temp setting, different types of battery, etc.
My guess is that GM figured if you have choices, you can make the wrong choices. The unit that came with my C7 is one you just plug in, no settings to decide.
For the way I use it, that's fine. I have a regular CTEK for other uses.
My guess is that GM figured if you have choices, you can make the wrong choices. The unit that came with my C7 is one you just plug in, no settings to decide.
For the way I use it, that's fine. I have a regular CTEK for other uses.
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Verdad Gallardo
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,989
Likes: 12,385
From: NE South Carolina
^^
Some do, it does make the battery live longer. I did not use on my September 2013 C7 Vette although I bought the GM equivlant from Amazon just in case.
Just returned from a 2 1/2 week vacation and did not even bother! No issues starting. The C7 is not like old Vettes. The service manual says an 80% charged battery should start the car up to 30 days. In fact the last time I used it was to have it fully charged prior to hurricane Florence. If we lost power for any length of time I could charge iPhones and iPad.
Note, I live ~17 miles from town but even a round trip is not enough to fully charge the battery. It is my DD but being semi-retired I do not have to go in every day.
I do use a less expensive charger on my Street Rod that mostly only goes to Shows. It’s plugged in all the time. I just replaced that Yellow Top Optima battery after 10 years. It was working fine- BUT- the battery is inside the sedan and no door handles, only electric doors. Figured I was operating on borrowed time and if it failed at at car show could be a PIA to get into the car to jump start! Bought another Yellow Top!
Some do, it does make the battery live longer. I did not use on my September 2013 C7 Vette although I bought the GM equivlant from Amazon just in case.
Just returned from a 2 1/2 week vacation and did not even bother! No issues starting. The C7 is not like old Vettes. The service manual says an 80% charged battery should start the car up to 30 days. In fact the last time I used it was to have it fully charged prior to hurricane Florence. If we lost power for any length of time I could charge iPhones and iPad.
Note, I live ~17 miles from town but even a round trip is not enough to fully charge the battery. It is my DD but being semi-retired I do not have to go in every day.
I do use a less expensive charger on my Street Rod that mostly only goes to Shows. It’s plugged in all the time. I just replaced that Yellow Top Optima battery after 10 years. It was working fine- BUT- the battery is inside the sedan and no door handles, only electric doors. Figured I was operating on borrowed time and if it failed at at car show could be a PIA to get into the car to jump start! Bought another Yellow Top!
Last edited by JerryU; Oct 12, 2018 at 12:32 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Yes. If you don't regularly drive your car you should use one. I would say if you go one week or longer. Some will provide varying opinions, but the main thing is if you drive daily or close to that you don't need to use one. You don't need to buy an expensive Ctek either. Here is an excellent one for $18 all connections needed.
Last edited by joemessman; Oct 12, 2018 at 12:24 PM.