When installing an official C8 GM battery tender for storage do you close the frunk lid all the way or leave it on its first click and that's where you run the cord out? I am concerned about the light remaining on in the
frunk if the lid is not closed all the way. Thanks

 

Light automatically turns off with lid open after either 10 or 15 minutes, can't remember which.

 

First click. Light does shut off.

 

I ran the cord up to the windshield and between a small gap in the weather stripping and was able to close the frunk. Charger sits on the windshield by the wiper blade.

 

Thanks everyone for the quick response...appreciate it

 

For folks who don't understand, the C8 (like the C7) shuts off all significant power after 5 to 10 minutes.

Test yourself! Open the Frunk, Trunk fully and turn on the interior map light. Shut the door and watch. In 5 to 10 minutes all lights are off!

C8 has one of the lowerest paracitic current looses of any car you have owned, 10 to 15 milliamps. A 25 Watt light bulb uses 250 milliamps if that helps! Or current draw when parked is ~ 17 times less than a 25 Watt light bulb. In fact from a power standpoint that is 0.01 to 0.015 amps X 12 Volts = 0.2 Watts. If a bulb, would hardly see it glow!

I have had two C7s (8 years) and now a C8 2 years. Been on sevral vacations for 3+ weeks. Just came back from Euopre after 3 weeks. No maintanence charger and car started fine. Folks have said they have been parked at an airport for 4 and 5 weeks, with no issues. The C8 is my DD BUT retired 22 years so I drive about 3 to 4 times a week AND they are mostly 50 mile round trips to town. Battery stays just fine. Have a CTEK charger (same as GM) but DON'T use it. PIA and no need.

Now if you have a garage queen or most trips are ~5 miles to a store, that is probably NOT enough driving and a maninatece charger is smart to use. My 22 year old Street Rod is on one 24/7 unless going to a Car Show.

PS: Would NOT let a C8 it sit more than 4 weeks to be safe!

 

 

This is what I do. However, since I put a cover on mine and use a carjacket to completely enclose my car I put the charger near the front left wheel and run the extension cord through the zipper opening at the end of the carjacket. Nothing can get into the two covers and it keeps out rodents and moisture.

 

I’m about to tuck mine in for the winter, it’s probably going to sit till April. Il just unhook the battery like I always have on other cars.

 

Why latch the frunk at all? Unless it's outside maybe. It's not like you're going to drive the car with the charger on it. I just lower it and let it rest when it coes to a soft stop. I don't have to pop the frunk to take the charger off that way.

 

I don't even do the first "click" - I just lower the lid until it rests on the latch. I am in a closed garage with an alarm system so I don't worry about theft. There is a chance, I suppose, of vermin entering the frunk, but as others have shown on the forum, there are lots of other ways for vermin to enter, easier than through the frunk. The light goes out.

 

I like the idea of running the charger wire lead out of the trunk through the weatherstrip gap or somewhere else...never have to open or close the frunk. Easy external connect/disconnect. If you need a longer wire for the male lighter end, search ebay for "sae lighter adapter".They come in different lengths up to 10 or 12 feet if you want. Bought my 10' for $12 to utilize my existing charger. Also important that you use a charger that shuts off automatically when battery is fully charged. Some trickle chargers stay on constantly which will risk overcharge/"boiling".

 

Many manufacturers, not just GM, turn off accessories after 10 minutes. While sitting on the BGA parking lot for weeks/months, the C8 is in "transportation" mode (don't recall actual name) with power drain significantly reduced wirh many features turned off until delivery at dealerships. Just for clarification in case some don't know or forgot.