TB427Z06

So I'm wondering if there will be any issues with the battery going dead if not driving the car for 6 months during the winter? Here in Colorado I don't drive my corvette Nov-April. I just run the engine for 20 minutes once a month to circulate the oil. Wondering if I'd be forced to drive it once a month to charge the battery. Any thoughts on this?

BIG Dave

Which battery are you referring to? The 12 volt battery for starting the car, or the 80 cell lithium-ion battery pack in the central tunnel for the front electric motor? If it’s the 12V starter battery, I would just keep it on a battery maintainer, like people are currently doing now with their base and Z06 C8’s. If you’re referring to the lithium-ion battery pack, I doubt that would experience much loss when not used as I doubt there’s anything connected to it that would drain it. But even it did, a quick drive after you remove it from storage should recharge it. The lithium-ion battery pack is warranted for 8 years or 100,000 miles, so I wouldn’t worry about it (until the 9th year).

TB427Z06

I'm referring to the Lithium Ion Battery. I always keep the 12 V battery on the trickle charger. Thanks

Kracka

It'll be perfectly fine, and frankly you're doing the gas engine more harm than good by starting it periodically. Plug in the 12V batter tender and come back 6 months later.

/Bear/

Actually, the 12-volt battery is also lithium-ion.

hdrider1

Where did you hear that?

/Bear/

I think I first heard it from information presented at the ERay reveal in January. Here's a quote from MacMulkin's website:

Source: https://www.macmulkin.net/Corvette-E-Ray

JerryU

Yep, GM did a lot to keep the weight of the E-Ray down. All discussed by GM Exec's at the Reveal in January!

• In addition to total weight savings they wanted to keep close to the C8 ME 40/60 weight balance and did it's 41/59.
• They used a Li-ion 12 Volt battery which is typically 20% of a lead acid battery weight so saved ~30 lbs.
• They used CCB rotors saving about 40 lbs and giving longer front brake life as brakes are used for torque vectoring (an ~$8000 option on the Z06.)
• They used expensive magnesium electric motor/gearbox case assembled with high strength aluminum bolts to save weight.

BTW a CTEK changer is available for Lithium-Ion Car Batteries. I'm sure GM will have one for the E-Ray probably with an E-Ray logo! CTEK makes chargers for various makes and models! Bought mine for my C7 from Amazon for 40% less and will probably do the same for the E-Ray!

PRE-Z06

Will the E-ray Li battery for in the C8 and Z06?

Lefty32

Will current battery maintainers still work or be needed for the Li-Ion 12v battery?

JerryU

Not sure the car's computer-controlled alternator output control is compatible.

Doubt it . CTEK sells one just for Li-ion batteries. There "Universal" $179 charger does NOT include Li-ion batteries.

CTEK Lithium Battery Charger – 12V

WHAT TO EXPECT

The CTEK Lithium Battery Charger’s unique display allows you to follow the entire 8 step, fully automatic charging process. The charger delivers selectable 0.8 A or 4.3 A to the battery from 1.2 – 110 Ah, and is suitable for maintenance charging up to 160 Ah.

USES & COMPATIBILITY

The CTEK Lithium Battery Charger is for use with 12-volt Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries.

Numerous accessories allow you to use this charger for multiple batteries simultaneously. Essentially, it’s one charger for your car, motorcycle, racing equipment, snowmobile and boat or jet ski.

PRODUCT FEATURES

• Fully automatic charging and maintenance maximizes battery life and performance.
• Splash and dust resistant, reverse polarity protected, short-circuit proof and non-sparking the CTEK Lithium Battery Charger can safely be left alone in your garage.
• Water resistant, the charger can be brought to dead or troubled battery in rain or snow
• Automatically detects end-of-life batteries
• Free 5-year warranty

/Bear/

I don't believe so. They put the Li-Ion battery in the ERay for weight reduction primarily, as @JerryU highlighted (and possibly other reasons), but I've never seen anything to indicate it would be used in either the SR or Z06.

I'm planning to buying a new CTEK for my ERay 12-volt battery.

gatorfl

From my understanding the Li-ion battery's will hold a charge for a much longer time then a regular one will.
Maybe to the point of not needed a charger at all.

For those worried about it There are options like this.

JerryU

Hmm, just checked. The battery "protection package" for the E-Ray is code ERI. The same code is listed for the Stingray. The price is $100. So does not look like it's a different charger. Puzzle?

Quoting:
Using a battery charger with a specific Lithium charge algorithm is the best option for maximum performance and lifespan of any lithium battery.
BUT you can use a normal SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) charger (without the de-sulfate mode) to charge a lithium battery.
Power Sonic does recommend charging batteries with a charger suitable for their chemistry. We also recommend checking all lithium batteries for low voltage every 3-4 months and charging as needed.

A LiFePO4 battery uses the same constant current and constant voltage stages as the SLA battery. Even though these two stages are similar and perform the same function, the advantage of the LiFePO4 battery is that the rate of charge can be much higher, making the charge time much faster.

Bottom Line: Looks like the standard charger will work! I have a CTEK, although seldom use it.

hawk02

Completely agree. Leave the motor off until you're ready to drive the car somewhere.

keenanj

There will be issues with the traction battery if you do not drive it.

Look at the non plugin hybrid supercars 918, P1 and laferrari they are all needing $$$ new traction batteries because they are collector cars and there is no way to charge the battery without driving.

JerriVette

I was under the impression the 1.9 battery negates the need for a battery charger for the 12 volt

JerryU

^^^^
Yep the 12 volt Li-Ion is changed from the high voltage 1.9 kWh battery. BUT they do offer the same Chevy Logo charger as for other C8s. Same $100 price. Looks like it can be used keep the battery charged on long storage. But unlike Lead Acid the Li-Ion should be able to maintain voltage much longer then. We'll have to see.

March

Does anyone know if there is a way of charging the 1.9KWH battery on a trickle charger? If you use shuttle mode while in storage you could deplete the battery. The 1.9 Lithium batteries are best stored at what level of charge? I read above 40% charge but below 80% for other lithium's. How do we ensure we keep the charge % at optimum level while in storage?

JerryU

^^^
There is no provision and would need a ~400 volt DC charger!

As I see it you drive the car with the ICE LT2 and brake a few times and it will be charged. Or if a very low state of charge the front motor will turn into a generator and the LT2 will push the front wheels turning the generator. As Tadge had said in a 1/4 mile race the battery would be fully charged on the trip back to the pits in Charge plus. The battery pack can deliver 500 peak amps! It can charge as quickly!

I don't think having the battery go to zero is an issue. Ever have your Cell Phone do that?! As Aaron Link (GM Exec) said in a walk around of the cutaway they will not let it get les than 20% charged so when making an aggressive turn and expecting Torque Vectoring to help- IT WILL BE THERE! It appears in normal operation ~80% is considered full change.

Recall at the Reveal another GM person answering a question about why do wall power charging, in normal operation braking when you pull in your driveway and garage will often top it up! He said it would be foolish for us to put plug in capability as when you plugged it in when you got home by the time you left the garage and went into the house it would be changed. It's a fast discharge, fast charge, small battery! Heck F1 uses a ~40 hp battery and NO PLUG!

So drive with the LT2 and battery will be within planned charge range in a short time! This is NOT an EV battery!