Battery tender question (again)

[CCO]

I've never unhooked the battery from my Chevelle over winter when storing it and it fires right up each Spring like it just finished running. However, I use AC Delco batteries...maybe the Interstate batteries loose charge at 1% per day.

Or....maybe I'm just pushing my luck but with no radio, computer, or anything electric in the car, I find it hard to imagine there would be any draw unless there is a short somewhere.

As for the Corvette. Three weeks is pushing it as to whether it will start or not. I noticed my under hood light is unplugged as well. I figure the previous owner unplugged it for a reason so I've never plugged it back in.

Very likely the 'live' circuits in modern cars are what would account for that "1%" per day discharge, tho I'm suspicious that our 'vettes' discharge more than that with more than expected live circuits.

C.

 

[Riley P]

I would have to agree with you! The vettes do draw a lot of power when off. I heard that if you put the C6 in reverse when parked it is almost like a battery disconnect but this could just be rumor for all I know.

 

[Keith Tedford]

When we shut our '05 off, the Digital Information Centre will tell you to put it into reverse if you haven't already done it. What it does to the electrical system I don't know. You had to put the '69 and later Chevelles in reverse so you could lock the steering column and get the key out of the ignition so I put the car in reverse automatically just out of habit.

 

[ecky]

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. Hope this helps someone.

 

[ecky]

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. Hope this helps someone.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Here's a link to a good explanation of why CTEK claims to offer a superior product.

http://www.ctek.com/sradmin/ARCHIVE/Support/Battery_Knowledge/Folder_Battery_Knowledge_EN.pdf