Adventures in car storage...problem with battery charger.

DAVIDYR1

DAVIDYR1

Casual User
2 You're 10
Dec 15, 2012
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Toronto
VetteCoins
651
Car
2005 C6 LS2
So, yesterday my vette got an awesome wash and wax as I got it ready for winter storage.
I also bought the 2x2 FT foam mats to lay down on the floor of the garage and park the car onto them. Supposedly they not only isolate the moisture creeping up from the garage floor but, they're soft and spongy so 'should' keep the tires in check too. They are under the entire surface of the car, not just the tires. :coolgleam:

Just before the car cover goes on, I connect the battery charger/tender...and sure enough it doesn't work. My fault I suppose because the Cteck came highly recommended, and what I wanted to purchase...but Canadian Tire didn't have it in stock. So, on their recommendation I got the Eliminator Battery Charger. As I hooked it up, it read Battery Charged...and the light showing 'Charging' wouldn't light up. Even when I disconnected it from the battery it still said 'Battery Charged'. So, using my Google-Fu...a quick search yields many similar complaints by others using the same unit.

Suffice to say that today I'm returning it, and hopefully am able to find the CTeck that you guys here seem to swear by. So, yea...my fault for not going that route in the first place but dammit...shouldn't another product 'work' also?

Generic car cover is already on...but would love to get an actual Corvette C6 car cover.

Bounce dryer sheets in the muffler pipes and on the seats...for nothing more than a cool clean smell when I take her out of storage.
Baking soda boxes will go on the floor mats this evening....so all and all, charger aside I think I'm pretty good.

Edit-Forgot to add...yes, Sta-Bil and full tank of gas already in there too. :)

So...long story short....

The Canadian Tire 'Eliminator' charger came highly recommended by the staff there and the floor manager, but has proven to be unreliable be it by me and others who've voiced their dissatisfaction on the net.
Will now try to find the elusive CTeck Charger.

Thanks again for the suggestions folks!

David
 
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Sorry to hear of your issues with the other charger. The CTEK will be worth hunting for.
If you can't find any other source, Corvette Central has them at a decent price tho not as good as CTC's or Part Source's on sale price and would involve shipping.

Corvette Central's car covers are good and well priced if you can get in on their occasional free shipping events

You might check Part Source for C-Tek availability and price. Their prices are usually quite good too.

If you have a regular battery charger, use it every week or 2 to top up the battery for a day or so until you get the C-tek maintainer.

Don't forget to fill the gas tank and put in some STA-BIL too.
A few extra pounds in the tires will help prevent flat spotting also :D

C.
 
I just came back from Canadian Tire with a "Battery Tender" unit . From the research I've done, they are very good, and do everything the CTEC does .

They retail for around $69 but were on sale last week so I just mentioned that and they gave me the sale price . I paid 40 something with tax.

It's a bit bigger unit than the ctec, but I can't see that being a problem .

Haven't tried it yet .... cause I don't have my car home yet !.. :mad::swear:
 
UncleJung said:
I just came back from Canadian Tire with a "Battery Tender" unit . From the research I've done, they are very good, and do everything the CTEC does .

They retail for around $69 but were on sale last week so I just mentioned that and they gave me the sale price . I paid 40 something with tax.

It's a bit bigger unit than the ctec, but I can't see that being a problem .

Haven't tried it yet .... cause I don't have my car home yet !.. :mad::swear:
Click to expand...

I have used the Battery Tender Plus for 3 storage winters, and not an issue yet. In the summer, I use the same battery tender to keep my golf cart battery charged up. So it's been used almost daily for the past 3 years. Suffice to say, that when it eventually fails from overusage, I will buy the same brand again.

:)
 
i have 5 tender/maintainers that all see usage for various equipment [ toys ] and all work well. two are made by yuasa and three cdn. tire orange eliminators. the cdn. tire units i bought 3 or 4 years ago on sale at 20 bucks a piece. :seeya: doug.
 
Area Z51 said:
I have used the Battery Tender Plus for 3 storage winters, and not an issue yet. In the summer, I use the same battery tender to keep my golf cart battery charged up. So it's been used almost daily for the past 3 years. Suffice to say, that when it eventually fails from overusage, I will buy the same brand again.

:)
Click to expand...

Glad to hear that ! :D

And I'm also glad to announce that my tires are in and with luck, I should have my car home tomorrow ! ! :driving::coolgleam: :driving:
 
NAPA has the newest version - CTEK Multi US 4.3 for $80. This is the "replacement" for the 3300. Retails for about $10 more. Gives you 8 stages of charging as opposed to the 4 stages of the 3300. Just picked mine up two days ago (Jan 9, 2013). This is my second CTEK. I am also picking up a Battery Minder 2012. They are worth a look. Great reviews and customer service. Seem to be in short supply currently. Remember there is a diffeence between a battery maintainer and a trickle charger. A trickle charger will eventually dry out a flooded battery. Good maintainers (smart chargers) can be connected for years. Both the CTEK and the Battery Minder will de-sulphate and charge based on outside temperature as well. My research on the Battery Tender was that it would not de-sulphate. Deal breaker for me. Hope this helps someone.
 
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